Running Circuits Through Bored Holes

WDESHOTEL · 04-09-2007, 05:28 AM

I am helping a friend wire a house and I am not clear on the 2005 NEC on the methods of wiring to see if there is anything on boring holes through the ceiling joist to run the circuits from the main panel to the diffrent rooms of the house. The ceiling joist will be 2x10's and would like to drill some 1 1/2" holes to run wires through the joist. Is there anything on the max number of circuits that can be run through a given hole? We are using Romex 12-2 w/gnd

jwhite · 04-09-2007, 06:59 PM

It is against the law in almost every state in the country to do electrical work anyplace except your own home if you are not a licenced electrical contractor.

You also are not doing your friend any favors by helping him, if you have no idea what you are doing either.

I suggest that your friend hire a professional.

2pyrs · 04-10-2007, 04:08 AM

Well it looks like half of this forum well be in jail tonight.

As to drilling hole in support beams I read somewhere that the hole can’t be more then 50% of the total width of the beam, but as to the length I don’t know. My (photo not enclosed) friend who helped me made metal supports to place in between each wall stud when we drilled into the top plate running wire down to the box.

jwhite · 04-10-2007, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2pyrs

Well it looks like half of this forum well be in jail tonight.

As to drilling hole in support beams I read somewhere that the hole can’t be more then 50% of the total width of the beam, but as to the length I don’t know. My (photo not enclosed) friend who helped me made metal supports to place in between each wall stud when we drilled into the top plate running wire down to the box.

You may think that it is a big joke to tell others that it is ok to hack up a job anyway they choose, but I have seen too many bad things happen in my life to not take this stuff seriously.

If you take out half of any structural member, you are risking catastrophic or premature failure. You may think it is ok for someone who has no clue as to what they are doing help another who also has no clue. But that is not what anyone who actually cares about the finished product that the OP is trying to acheive would suggest.

RippySkippy · 04-12-2007, 08:17 AM

I don't beleive it's illegal to help the HO, if you're getting paid that's another story...

Not sure from your description about the scope of the project, but you might want to see if there's a more reasonable way to to run the wires, For example if it's up stairs, on top of the cieling joist, if it's a basement, can the wires run next to other utlities?

From the INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE 2003 & 2006:
Maximum Bored Hole Size (D/3) R502.8.1
2x4 = 1 3/16"
2x6 = 1 7/8"
2x8 = 2 3/8"
2x10 = 3 1/16"
2x12 = 3 3/4"

Stay back 1-1/4" from the edge, closer to the center the better -- drill away!

WDESHOTEL · 04-12-2007, 07:07 PM

I want to thank rippyskippy for responding to the question that was asked and not wandering if it is legal or not legal. By the way the law where I am from is that the homeowner has the right to hire anyone if they are licensed or not as long as they sign a waiver that they except responsibility. I hired licensed people when I built my house and for some of the sub's, the work was terrible. I believe before critizing someone before and saying they don't know what they are doing, you should ask them. By the way, my degree is in Electrical Engineering and I have been doing electrical work for the past 23 years. I currently work for a Utility Company and I don't stay current on the new codes and it was a general question. I have been doing electrical work on the side helping family members on and off, and usually I go beyond what the code states. Generally what I see is the actual certified electrician is sitting in a office while the $5.75/hr people is doing the work with no superivsion from the certified electrician. He is at the office figuring out the next job.

Thanks again to rippy skippy for answering the question.

WDESHOTEL · 04-12-2007, 07:11 PM

rippy, the reason i am running through the ceiling joist is because the homeowner wants to put plywood on top of the ceiling joist for storage area, and I wasn't sure if you drilled a hole through the ceiling joist that you could run a certain number of circuits before it is considered bundeling.

jwhite · 04-12-2007, 07:51 PM

You guys misunderstood the meaning of my original response.

Let me try again.

If the person who wants the work done, is not able to do it for whatever reason, and then someone offers to help who has no clue either, then the combination is something that I prefer to not give advice to.

I know that there are alot of posters on this forum, who would advise you just do things and get away with them, but do some research and look at how many times that advice is either illegal or unsafe.

look at rip skippy for example.. one google and he is an expert.

If you want to go in business doing electrical work, then do the apprentiship time and take the test like the rest of us.

If you want to help a friend when neither of you has a clue as to what to do, go for it, but dont ask my advice.

If you are a home owner doing work for yourself, then you are in the right forum.

RippySkippy · 04-12-2007, 09:57 PM

Your welcome WD. I've been in the same position many times and it's by asking questions one learns what's right and wrong. Something you might consider would be to run the wires loosely in a chase to the edge of the storage area rather than drill through all the joist. I hate drilling that many holes if I don't have to.

JW -- you know nothing about me...man I'm glad your not my neighbor.