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    AaronL's Avatar
    AaronL Posts: 20, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Dec 22, 2010, 01:17 AM
    How to fish wires from attic into flush-mount breaker panel?
    Background on the house: 1960 built single story tract home in Southern California. 5/12 roof pitch. Updated to 200 amp panel and all new copper wire in 2003. Service drop through roof into exterior wall to flush-mounted combo meter/breaker panel (between studs, covered by stucco siding), no sub panels present.

    My experience: I've never done any "real" electrical work. Replacing switches and receptacles and installing light fixtures is the extent of my experience. I've tried to read all the DIY electrical books that I could find at the library and HD/Lowes, in addition to Family Handyman and Fine Homebuilding subscriptions. I have a decent understanding but not much hands on experience.

    My problem: I need to run 2 new 20-amp circuits (2 lines of 12-2 NM cable) into my breaker panel to power ceiling mounted fan/heater units in both bathrooms. What options do I have to run the wires from the attic (accessible with 5/12 roof pitch) down to the panel. It's a pretty tight squeeze to reach the point where the wiring rises from the panel through the top plate into the attic. I'm not sure I can even poke my head over the top plate much less see what I'm doing to get the wires down through the hole.

    I'm looking for some techniques to fish the wires down into the panel. I've read about using PEX tubing as a fish tape and using a weight on the end of a string. Is there some super-secret electrician's trick I need to know?

    I've called a couple electricians about doing just the final panel fishing for me. Both suggested that they might just cut out some drywall on the interior to access the panel wires form behind.

    Thanks in advance for the help.

    Aaron
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
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    #2

    Dec 22, 2010, 03:28 AM
    Considering how the structure and finishes are, this is the only method to gain access to the panel:

    Quote Originally Posted by AaronL View Post
    Both suggested that they might just cut out some drywall on the interior to access the panel wires form behind.
    I would install some sort of flexible conduit as large as possible from the panel to the attic to allow future circuits to be installed later, if needed.
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