[pjbadding]

Hi All,

I am in the process of building my home which is a ranch. I'm trying to decide whether I will have my home runs in the attic or in the basement. Eventually, I will finish the basement but that's not gonna happen in the near future.

Which approach do you prefer and why?

Thanks in advance for your input.

Pete

 

[jbfan]

If I have the choice, it is the basement.
Wire it as if you will finish it right away.
Drill the hole through the joist instead of going underneath it.

 

[Jim Port]

Roughing in, I prefer the attic since I can pull through the trusses without drillling.

 

[Wirenuting]

I go the basement route.
Before you close up the walls, I always toss in two 3/4" empty runs from "above" the panel strait up to the attic. This gives you something for later.

 

[pjbadding]

Is there any other benefit to putting the runs in the attic other than you don't have to go through floor joists?

FYI...I'm planning on installing 2- 1 1/2 PVC pipes from panel to attic for future solar power install. That should accommodate any other needs I may have.

I go the basement route.
Before you close up the walls, I always toss in two 3/4" empty runs from "above" the panel strait up to the attic. This gives you something for later.

 

[Retiredchief]

Personally I like the basement myself. When finishing basements I built a small closet under the stairs and home run everything from that point. Add a few shelves for modems, routers, server(s), splitters and it works out well.

I'd definitely second the "smurf tube" to the attic.

 

[Tom738]

Is there any other benefit to putting the runs in the attic other than you don't have to go through floor joists?

FYI...I'm planning on installing 2- 1 1/2 PVC pipes from panel to attic for future solar power install. That should accommodate any other needs I may have.

Depending on the house, someone is more likely to finish a basement than they are to finish an attic. So in one sense they are more likely to be accessible if they are in the attic. OTOH, in most homes it is easier to access the basement (steps) than it is to access an attic (ladder). Personally I would put them in a basement if it will be unfinished, or in an attic if the basement will be finished.

 

[Wirenuting]

Is there any other benefit to putting the runs in the attic other than you don't have to go through floor joists?

FYI...I'm planning on installing 2- 1 1/2 PVC pipes from panel to attic for future solar power install. That should accommodate any other needs I may have.

Going thru the floor joist isn't any problem at all. No matter were you go you will be drilling thru wood anyway. But you will use less wire if you don't have to go "up & over" to go down a wall.
I live in a world of conduit and never saw the need to go further then I have to.

Remember to properly seal any attic stub up you have. Condensation will accure in the winter if you don't.

 

[Captflx]

If your ranch is like mine, it is low. If you ever have to crawl through insulation to add another circuit , locate a junction box or ???, you will probably wish your runs were in the basement. Believe me, doing that in the attic of a low roof ranch is not fun.

 

[pjbadding]

It's an 8/12 roof so I won't have issues from that aspect. Since I'm installing myself, I plan on installing more than the minimum required receptacles so I don't expect to have to add after the fact. If I do find myself needing something, I can then run it up thru the attic if my basement is finished.

If your ranch is like mine, it is low. If you ever have to crawl through insulation to add another circuit , locate a junction box or ???, you will probably wish your runs were in the basement. Believe me, doing that in the attic of a low roof ranch is not fun.