Check out some similar questions!

sfrenee · Jan 27, 2012, 07:36 PM

I would like to drill one of those elfa standards to the right of my light switch and electrical outlet. The concern is, I don't know if I will be drilling into something I don't want to and break something - not understanding how electrical wiring is run behind it. Can someone provide insight? The rest of this room is drywall. The outlet and light switch are mounted on a small door jamb/room separator around 5 inches deep. It's a new building; constructed in 2008. Any help is greatly appreciated!

britsmak · Jan 27, 2012, 09:35 PM

I am not an electrician, but there are two things that you should be sure to do before drilling--TURN OFF THE BREAKERS in the panel box for those two switches / outlets. Double check by trying to turn on the light switch and plug something into the outlet to see if it is live. You will need light to do the following things so you should run an extension cord with a light on it from another part of the house or use a powerful flashlight.

Another thing to do is unscrew the cover plate on each one and observe which way the wires enter the box embedded in the wall. It is possible that they were wired from the side, but the more common thing would be from the top. If you do not stick your screwdriver into the uncovered box, it is not likely you will be shocked, especially if you have turned off the breakers in the panel box.

If they seem to be in the clear, make a small opening with a knife or box cutter, but not deeply until you can see past the plaster. Most box cutters have a couple of stops when extending the blade for use; and the first one is about the depth of sheetrock so that it should not cut too deeply and risk hitting the wires. It is a lot easier to repair and repaint drywall than cut wires and cause an electrocution or fire. Go easy and be careful.

sfrenee · Jan 28, 2012, 06:49 AM

Excellent advice, thanks! I (naively) would have never thought to turn off the breaker.

ma0641 · Jan 28, 2012, 09:38 AM

Almost all switch and outlet boxes are nailed to a wall stud which will be on 1 side of the box. Turn off the power, remove the cover plate and use a small probe to find the stud. Almost all switches are wired from the top, outlets vary. Use screws that do not penetrate the stud by more than 1" unless you know the wires do not run through the wall stud. Normally, I use a 1 1/2 to 2" screw for wall standards. Good Luck!