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Romex and insulation

shaimark37 | Posted in Construction Techniques on July 16, 2012 01:06am

Hi,

 

This is undoubtedly a rookie question, but I’m a rookie!!

 

I am finishing a basement.  I put 2″ styrofoam against the cinderblock walls, followed by  2×4 studs.  I plan to put fiberglass bats between the studs.  But my question has to to with wiring:  I know I will run romex through holes in  the studs about 1 1/2 inches in from the surface for recepticles, etc.  But does it matter if I push the romex toward the exterior, so the romex is sandwiched  between the fiberglass and the styorfoam, or if the romex is toward the interior, sandwiched between the bats and the (yet to be attached) drywall?  Any opinions? 

 

Thanks

Mark 

Reply

Replies

  1. oldhand | Jul 16, 2012 06:18pm | #1

    fiberglas needs detailing......

    Drill the holes in the stud center.  Keep  the  wire centered between the studs and slice the insulation half through for the wire.

    Compressed fiberglas insulation looses it's value if compressed.

  2. DanH | Jul 16, 2012 07:13pm | #2

    In general you should try to keep the romex away from the interior surface, to minimize the chance of accidental damage.  I'd probably lay it against the foam, for the most part.

    Do be sure to keep the wire at least 1" back from the stud surface, and if you can't do that for some reason install nail plates.

  3. k1c | Aug 28, 2012 02:09pm | #3

    General rule is that you should be using 1 1/4 screws for a sheetrock.  Wire must be far enough away so that screw does not touch the wire.  For a single wire, 1/2" hole in the center of a stud gives you a safe clearance.  Places where this is inconvinient, you can put a metal plate on the stud so that a screw will stop.  Electric or plumbing section of the homedepot has this metal plates.  The plates does not have to be notched in.

  4. User avater
    xxPaulCPxx | Aug 29, 2012 12:30pm | #4

    You can route a notch in either your foam board  3/8" deep.  You could then run your romex and tape it into the the foam with duct tape.  You would then place your studs up against the foam, which would trap the romex in the channel, and never need to drill a hole in any of your studs.

    All you need to do is:

    1. Keep the wire 1.25" away from the face of the wall everywhere

    2. Keep the wire secure so it won't accidentally come forward beyond that boundry

  5. PileatedContractor | Nov 25, 2013 11:58am | #5

    RE: cut notch/channel in face of foam to run Romex

    Hi

    I realize that this post is over a year old by now, but I'm hoping that my post will bump it up to the attention of somebody with electrical bona fides who can vouch for the solution proposed by xxPaulCPxx.

    I'm converting a basement. The stair is narrow leading down along a wall - and stair code means I have to conserve every inch. I'm adhering foil faced polyiso rigid panels to the concrete and then was hoping to lay my studs flat against the foam (to save the 2" difference vs. standard stud layout). There's a handrail on the other side and I'm going to be right at the minimum 30" clear width at the handrail height and below if I lay it out as above.

    cutting a channel in the foam to run the Romex BEHIND the flat stud will give me the 1.5" from the front surface of the the stud for the inspector - but I'm not sure if this is actually allowed.

    Can anyone chime in with a confirmation or advice in a low clearance situation?  Laying the studs flat isn't ideal, but the  wall isn't structural, it's really just has to support the sheetrock and allow for the clearance for the romex.

  6. AndyEngel | Nov 25, 2013 02:59pm | #6

    You should be fine. If you have any doubts, talk to your BI before doing the work. Worst case is that you'll have to add nail plates before drywalling.

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