I am in the process of wiring my new home. I have a question related to the home runs. I will be running wires from the second floor down to the panel which is located in the basement. I plan on drilling a series of holes in both the first and second floor wall plates (2x6). What do I do with these wires? Do I just let them hang in the middle of the wall cavity? Do I have to staple them to the sides of the 2x6? Since there will be a lot of wires in this cavity, instead of stapling should a use a product called “stackems”? Furthermore since this is an outside wall, and it will be difficult to insulate after the wires are installed, should I run some rigid foam boards before the wires are installed?

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Originally Posted by NormoRoy

I am in the process of wiring my new home. I have a question related to the home runs. I will be running wires from the second floor down to the panel which is located in the basement. I plan on drilling a series of holes in both the first and second floor wall plates (2x6). What do I do with these wires? Do I just let them hang in the middle of the wall cavity? Do I have to staple them to the sides of the 2x6? Since there will be a lot of wires in this cavity, instead of stapling should a use a product called “stackems”? Furthermore since this is an outside wall, and it will be difficult to insulate after the wires are installed, should I run some rigid foam boards before the wires are installed?

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Hi, I hope you are aware that you can be prosecuted for carrying out this type of work unless you are a registered Part P installer or have notified your local authority.

Hi, Yes my local authority is aware I am carrying out this work. I didn't realize it is agaist the law to work on your own home.

I guess I'll ask my electrician what he thinks.

Sorry, am I right in thinking your home is in the UK as this only applies to england and wales different laws apply is scotland.

Hi, I am located in the New England region of the US

First up, terminology for wallplate defines covers for switch or duplex box devices. Drilling down through the second floor sole plate through to the lower floor topplates (double plates) requires caution not to drill into the floor joisting if they are pre-engineered and not sawn lumber. You can go through the web but not the flanges. See mfr data for span drilling stay out areas which the joists are resting on the double plates.

Second stackers are designed for attic runs and do not work well in outer wall vertical runs especially over panelboard cable entry. Insualtion foam such as technifoam is usually applied on exterior shearwall before the siding is put on. Depends on what you are going to do for wall insulation method. (Exterior technifoam, interior fiber batts, blown, or shot?) Your Idea of putting in foam board in the bay raceways is a good idea, but if those vertical bay home runs are numerous, especially over the panelboard, then a crossblocked 2x nailer about 6-8 inches above the panel enclosure is best and meets NEC secured wire into box entry code. (see 334.30 securing)

I highly advise getting assistance from an experienced residential wireman. Commercial types know code and theory but do not have practiced house wiring methods down pat. At least have the grounding system checked out by a licensed residential guy. Inspections can be brutal if the AHJ sees technical lack in the rough-in string job. Good luck, NMwirez