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How to pull wire over ceiling

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wayneb301
wayneb301 Member Posts: 88
in THE MAIN WALL

I need to pull some wires from the main panel across a room for a subpanel. I want to pull the wires from above the ceiling. But the span is 20'.

I can open a series of openings to get the string through. But then how to repair these holes?

IMG20260830221728.jpg IMG20260830221744.jpg

Comments

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 17,929

    is the ceiling plaster or drywall? if there is no framing in the way you should only need to get to each end and can pull it with a fish tape or pull string or fiberglass rods. sometimes a tape measure works well to get a pull string through too.

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 20,880
    1. Are your running the wire parallel to the joists or across the joists? In other words are you going to have to drill the joists?

    The best thing to get is to go to Harbor Freight and get a package of the fiberglass fishing rods use to fish wire. They come in a package for around $20. They are about 30" long. You can buy Klein or Milwaukee at HD or Lowes as well and they make fancy ones that glow but a lot more $$$$$. The HF ones have worked very well for me. There is plenty in the package to run 20'

    If you are running with the joists and you make 2 holes you should be able to go 20' if no blocking or cross bracing bothers you.

    If you perpendicular to the joists its much harder. You would have to drill every joist, or use wire mold etc.

    Is this first floor or second floor do you have a basement or attic you can run it through and then fish up or down?

    is the ceiling drywall or plaster?

    Flat, swirled or spray on popcorn?

  • wayneb301
    wayneb301 Member Posts: 88
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1902939#Comment_1902939

    Its drywall ceiling, with recessed cup lights installed

    Do you mean a plaster ceiling has some gap inside it to allow pulling wire?

  • wayneb301
    wayneb301 Member Posts: 88
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1902940#Comment_1902940

    This is basement.

    Using wire mold, do you mean surface mount on the wall?

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 17,929

    plaster vs drywall changes how you patch it. plaster is easier to patch. drywall you will have to cut out a piece that either lands on 2 joists or screw some blocking in to screw a piece of drywall to. then mud and tape the joints. in the ceiling probably taper it out at least 12" on each side of the tape.

    if it is textured you will likely need a good plasterer to make a patch that blends in.

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