How to run wires through walls horizontally (guide)

The best way to prevent electrical interference and accidents is to run wires horizontally through walls.

Perhaps you're running wires to additional outlets, lighting fixtures, or setting up a home theater system. Cable laying (horizontal) guarantees an uninterrupted supply of electric current. 

Quick Summary: Running wires horizontally through walls is easy. Here you go:

1. Use a stud finder, multi-scanner, or deep scan to check free space on the wall for horizontal wire routing.
2. Plan a wiring route suitable for horizontal wiring.
3. Go ahead and cut out the entry boxes with a drywall saw while avoiding crooked cuts.
4. Use an appropriate drill bit to drill through the studs - the holes should be close to the center of the stud.
5. Continue and thread the cables through each stud hole.
6. Use a conductor, pole, or powerful magnet to thread and fish out the wires.
7. Finally, run the cables to the electrical box.

First steps

Tools

Laying electrical wires and cables through walls is not exactly easy. You will need to assemble some tools to do a good job.

You will need the following tools and materials listed below:

1. Flex Bit 24" to 72" (for drills)
2. Drill bits (1/8” and ½”)
3. Wire feed tools
4. Variety of cables
5. Picking options
6. Stud finder (to find studs)
7. Voltage tester
8. Drywall Saw
9. Cordless Drill
10. bubble level
11. wire guide
12. fish tape

How to check free wall space for wiring

Free space on the wall for wires can be easily checked with a stud finder. The search engines will also "tell" you where the electrical cables or wires run on the wall.

However, you can also choose to use a MultiScanner or a Deep Scan device to get accurate readings. They can detect wire harnesses and pipes located deep in the wall. But overall, they are similar to spike finders in many ways.

Always make sure you know the exact location of existing wires and pipes before drilling into a wall. This applies to whether you are drilling the wall straight or horizontal.

For those who use MultiScanner or Deep Scan devices, strange tone frequencies and glowing signals indicate the presence of obstacles - wooden poles, metal poles, wire harnesses, poles, pipes, etc.

How to plan a wire route

The wiring route is determined by the starting point (this can be a switch or a junction box) and the end point of the wiring. Make sure you specify the wire route.

Step 1: Are you running cables horizontally or vertically?

Another idea for routing wires is to know whether the wiring is vertical or horizontal. You can run the wire horizontally, but at some point you can create a vertical loop through the junction box. Make sure you have the correct wiring diagram.

Step 2: Use a stud finder to find pipes and old wires in the wall

Determine the location of obstacles (pipes, metal studs, wood studs, and more) in the wall where you will run the wire. This is also an important aspect to consider when planning.

It is also important to know the number of spikes you have at your disposal. You will drill through the stud and run the wires through.

Step 3: Identify Structural and Non-structural Wires

Next, we detect the carrier wires, and those that are not. This will help determine the size and location of the holes to be drilled. Everything must be within the building codes. Also, pay attention to the type of insulation on your wall.

Step 4: Tighten the insulation

Finally, keep in mind that loose insulation can be light or bulky and needs to be adjusted prior to installation.

Planning Tips

• The studs are usually spaced 16 to 24 inches apart. So, choose the right hairpin.
• Drill a hole less than ¼ of the lumber for the carrier post.

How to cut entry boxes

Step 1: find the best place for the new input field

The first step is to determine the best place to upgrade (replace) the entry box - use a stud finder.

Step 2: Check if the box fits in the space

Try to tilt your box so that they are easy to reach in the future. When doing this, make sure that the box fits in the specified space.

Step 3: Describe the outline to be cut on the box.

With a pencil, draw the outline to be cut.

Step 4: Cut the box with a drywall saw

Make sure the box is in a strategic location. Use a small level to cut through the drywall to get the wires through. Curved blocks can interfere with cages and chain covers. So a level is a must when cutting entry boxes.

And then get rid of the box and cut it lightly into the drywall with a creaser. This will prevent unwanted cracking and chafing when cutting with a drywall saw.

Further instructions

• Drill a hole in the corner of the box for easier drywall use.
• The lid of the box has an extended flange that hides the rough edges of the drywall. Don't be alarmed if the cut edges are jagged.

drilling into studs

Step 1: Finding Studs in the Wall

Use the stud finder to find the studs by tapping on the wall. While knocking, be alert and try to distinguish between a dull thud and a hard one. Stud finders are available at most stores and online retailers at affordable prices.

Step 2: Get the right drill

You will need a drill of the correct size, which can be as long as the studs. A 12-bit drill may be useful for shorter holes, but at a sharp angle. Otherwise, even a 72" flexbit is available.

Step 3: Line up the studs and drill a hole through them

To drill a few studs and run the wires horizontally, cut a small section of drywall next to the studs marked with a pencil.

Step 4: Plasterboard the Racks and Paint - Aesthetics

Once the wires are installed, it's a good idea to drill holes in the drywall, re-plaster and re-paint. Make sure you drill holes close to the center of the studs. To achieve this accuracy, use a flexible shank that allows you to increase the pressure of the lever on the drill tip.

Step 5: Remove the drills from the drill

After you drill holes in the studs, use the reverse function to remove the bit from the drill. This will prevent sticking when going back through the studs.

important Notices

• The bearing studs should have holes drilled close to the center.
• The size/diameter of the holes should not exceed 25% of the timber width. I recommend holes 10% of the width of the tree.
• You can drill off-center holes on non-load-bearing studs. But their width should be similar to the width of the bearing racks.

How to route cable wires through each wall stud

At this stage, the main tools are a conductor and a powerful grounding magnet. Use a soft cloth to cover the earth rock so as not to damage the walls by pulling and catching cable wires.

Where can I find a strong magnet? The answer lies inside the hard drive of an old computer.

As stated above, this is the hardest part, pulling and pulling the wires through the stud holes. However, you can make the task easier by using a set of tools.

Step 1. Attach the cable or wire to the conductor (you can use a pole)

Attach the cable to one end of the rack.

Step 2: Pull Wires Through Holes and Insulation

Alternatively, you can use a magnetized tool to conveniently pass the wires through the stud holes. The tool will not only find the wires blocked by drywall, but will also guide the wires to the outlet.

Attaching wires to an electrical box (socket)

Step 1: Use a voltmeter to check for residual current or not

Before starting this process, make sure that no residual power is being drawn into or out of the electrical box.

Step 2: Run New Cables Through the Outlet

After completing the security check, pull out the folding bezel and exit port, and then route new cables through the exit port.

Step 3: Pull the wires through the wiring hole to the new outlet.

Determining the nature of wires

• By American standards, the black wire is the hot wire or live wire. It should be connected to the silver screw on your socket. Be careful, wiring standards may differ in your country.
• White wires are neutral; connect them to the silver screw.
• The ground wire is bare copper wire, and most have special points on either side of the outlet.

F.A.Q.

Do I need to run electrical wires through walls horizontally?

Running wires horizontally through walls has many advantages. Perhaps you are installing a security system in your home, upgrading old wires, installing new internet cables, or installing an entertainment system. Horizontal wiring will come in handy in all of these scenarios.

The horizontal routing of the connecting wires provides space for an organized installation, not to mention the aesthetic implications. Proper wiring installation includes good wire and cable management. Reduces the risk of tipping due to slack wire. Horizontal installation also utilizes existing cable runs, creating a cleaner and safer home environment. (1)

The tricky part of the whole process is pulling the cables to one end. The process takes a lot of time and it scares a lot of people. But with the right planning and tools, you can easily get the job done. It is also necessary to arm yourself with the basic principles of electrical wiring.

Why should I run wires along the walls horizontally instead of vertically?

Well, horizontal wire alignment is the most convenient way to thread wires. You can easily connect wires to your entertainment system or any other equipment that is often at a lower level. Wires with horizontal threads are strong and safe; children will not tip over on them, moving around the house. Vertical alignment of the wires is not suitable, since most sockets and circuits are on the sides of the wall.

Horizontal connection allows you to shield wires behind walls, making your home entertainment system look sleek and clean.

Can I extend the network to a news portal by running wires through the walls?

Yes, you can do this if your existing chain can handle the extra load. Thus, adding more wires and outlets will require running the wires horizontally through the walls.

Can a new circuit be installed from the junction box to the news outlet?

This is one of the reasons why you should run wires through walls. So yes, you can set up a different schema where you placed the new schema. However, you need to use correct wire gauge in this situation. Wire of the wrong gauge may not carry the necessary amplifiers and eventually burn out or cause serious problems with your electrical appliances.

Is it smart to drill multiple holes in one stud?

The answer is no! Having multiple holes on a stud can cause problems, drill one hole per stud to let the cables through. Also make sure that the holes are small, about 10% of the entire width of the stud.

What are the basic precautions to be taken when running cables through a wall?

– Before drilling, always check what is behind the wall so as not to damage: water and gas pipes, existing electrical wires, etc.

– Provide a safe runway. Drilling a small hole maintains the structural integrity of the walls. Use the right tool for every task. It is very important to use the correct drill bit for drilling holes in the studs. You can use MultiScanner and Deep Scan to find studs behind a wall - they give more accurate results than stud finders. (2)

Take a look at some of our articles below.

• How to connect 2 amps with one power wire
• How to plug electrical wires
• Is it possible to connect the red and black wires together

Recommendations

(1) home environment - https://psychology.fandom.com/wiki/

Home_environment

(2) structural integrity – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/

pii/1350630794900167

Video link

HOW TO FISH CABLE WIRES THROUGH STUDS HORIZONTALLY USING FLEX DRILL BIT