Can Electrical Wires Touch Drywall? Yes But…

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Installing electrical wires in your home with drywall may seem confusing because it is incompetent to think of removing the entire drywall sheet to do that.

When you find yourself in such a situation, you’ll wonder:

Can Electrical Wires Touch Drywall?

Electrical wires can touch drywall. But, you cannot just run bare coils on the wall without drilling a hole in the sheetrock or passing it through electrical pipes. You can also cover it with tape. Asides from preventing electric shocks, it also gives your home a smooth wiring look.

When you make bare electrical wires touch drywalls without protection, the wires will rub on each other, increase the tension and expand heat which sparks and cause fire outbreaks to happen without warning.

Since running bare electrical wires on drywall can cause electrocution, you can make electrical wires touch your drywall without harm by drilling a hole to insert the coil. 

Although drywall does not have a wet surface that can cause friction when the wire is attached, an electrical wire is not an exposable item. The reason is that it transmits currents, and exposing it can cause electrocution. When installing an electrical wire, it is best to drill a hole in the drywall.

You can also run the wires without cutting the drywall. However, handling electrical wire installation projects go beyond the basics of just cutting up walls to insert a wire. But, understanding the nature of drywalls and how to install electrical wires in them will save you so much stress.

How To Connect Electrical Wires Without Touching Drywall

• First, locate the spot you want to install the electrical wire and measure accurately. 
• Turn off the switch in your control box, or keep your change-over on neutral to avoid electric sparks during installation. 
• If you want to install a new electric socket, use tape to measure the height and width, then mark the spot you want to place the socket.
• Drill a hole in the ceiling directly above the spot you marked and insert a rod into the hole to smoothen it.
• Use the driller to drill another large hole where you want to insert the electrical wire. You can also use a knife to carve it out if you’re installing a socket.
• Mold the electrical wires into a connector to form a cable. You can also mold it into an electrical pipe. Asides from making your installation look neat, it also prevents possible electric shocks.
• Drywalls usually have layers known as firewalls. To insert the molded electrical wires, use a hammer and chisel to open a space in the firewall. Place the molded electrical cables on it, then cover it with flat metal.
• Tie one tip of the wires to a thin iron rod, then insert it into the hole through the ceiling (the rod should be long enough to pass through the opening on the wall. You can also use a fishing line for this process).
• Use the rod to pull out the wire from the opening, then connect it to the socket by screwing it in the proper holes. Place the socket on the drywall and tighten it with wood screws.
• Next, connect the other end of the electrical wires to your control box. For this process, all homes usually have a part of the ceiling that is kept open. It is typically large enough to contain a human body. Once you locate the opening, use a ladder and climb into it.
• Once inside the ceiling, locate the other end of the molded wires, pull it, and connect it to the control board.
• Switch on the control board or return the change-over switch to its position.
• Test-run the wires.

Can You Drywall Over Electrical Wires?

You can drywall over electrical wires by covering the electrical coils with tape, then attach them to studs with cable clips. 

Steps To Drywall Over Electrical Wires

1. Cut out long pieces of wood and attach them to your drywall with a screw nail.
2. Join the electrical wires together by wrapping them into one bond with tape.
3. Place the wires between the corners of the wood and fasten them with the cable clips.
4. Fasten the entire electrical wire to the wood corners till you get to the point where you want to connect the coils.
5. Ensure to attach a cable clip after every 4 inches. Doing this will enable the electrical wires to stay strong and not pull off quickly.
6. Before the final connection, turn off the power in the control board to avoid electric shocks.
7. After connection, test-run the wires to ensure a proper connection.

Is It Okay To Run Electrical Wires Behind The Drywall?

It is okay to run electrical wires behind the drywall because it is also a safe way to install electrical coils without making them touch the sheetrock directly. To do this, cut out a spot on your wall. Then, insert the wires through the studs inside the wall.

Steps To Run Electrical Wires Behind The Drywall

• Use tape to measure the height and width of the drywall. Ensure you measure accurately to avoid wrong results.
  
• Mark the two spots directly above where you want to connect the electrical wire. This is done for easy identification so that you don’t forget the exact spot.
  
• Carve the points out with a kitchen knife.
• Inside the drywall, drill holes in the studs. The number of holes will depend on the length of the electrical coil you want to install.  
• Wrap the wires up into a bond with tape.
• Once done, pass the wire through the carved opening, insert into the holes and finally pull it out from the point you want to connect it.
• Finally, cover the carved opening with glue. 

How To Protect Wiring From Behind The Wall

You may want to tap a nail into your wall to hang your calendar or cloth hanger, forgetting that’s the spot you installed wires. When this happens, it can cause electrocution. To avoid this;

• Locate where the wires run from behind the wall.
  
• Mark the spot or line with a pencil or pen. This is done for easy identification of the exact spot.
  
• Get a metal or cable clip with a screw nail (the number will depend on the length of the electrical wire connection).
• Screw the nails into the wall a little below the spot. If the wire connection is long, attach the cable clips, each measuring 4 inches.

How Do You Run Wire Without Cutting Drywall?

You can run wire without cutting drywall with a driller and stud finder. Find the studs with a stud finder, and create holes on the studs behind the drywall. Then, insert the electrical wire into the holes.

Method 1 – Driller And Stud Finder With Life Wire Detector

1. Wrap the coils into one with tape, leaving a part on each end to enable the connection. 
2. Locate the studs behind the drywall with a stud finder.
3. Use a driller to open holes in the stud behind the drywall.
4. Attach one end of the wrapped wire to a thin rod or fishing line.
5. Insert the rod into the holes, then pull it from the other side. Then loosen it and connect it to the source you want to.

Method 2 – Electrical Pipe

1. Wrap the electrical wires with tape at each four inches point.
2. Insert them into the electrical pipe.
3. Fasten the pipe to the drywall with glue. You can also attach cable clips at strategic points to make it strong.

How Do You Drill A Hole In Drywall For Electrical Wire?

1. Select the right drill for the process. For drywall, the best type of drill is the mansory drill.
2. If it is close to a socket, avoid drilling directly above or below it to prevent electric shock or damage.
3. Use a stud finder to locate the right spot for the hole.
4. Mark the spot, then use a hammer and nail to tap a hole point.
5. Place the mansory drill directly on it to create a hole.
6. Ensure that it is straight as you drill. Slightly increase the tempo to make it fast till you get the desired length.
7. Repeat the same process on all the spots you want to drill a hole.
8. Finally, begin to install your wires.

Can I Drill A Hole In A Ceiling For Electrical Wire?

You can drill a hole in a ceiling to install your electrical wire by creating holes in the wood inside the roof. This process is usually preferred when installing an electrical wire for your fan and bulbs. To fix this;

1. Turn off power from your control board. This is to avoid electrical shock or hazard.
   
2. Locate the covered hole on the ceiling, then unscrew it open. You can use a screwdriver to achieve this.
   
3. Connect one end of the wires to your control board. Make sure the wire is connected correctly and well fixed.
   
4. Drill holes in the wood inside the roof. You can use a drilling machine to achieve this.
   
5. Pass the wires through the holes till you get to the uncovered fan or bulb spot on the ceiling. Then, pull the other end of the wire through it.
6. Finally, connect the end to your bulb or ceiling fan.
7. Switch on the control board and test-run the project.

Can I Get Shocked If I Drill Wire Into A Hole?

Naturally, you cannot get shocked when drilling wire into a hole. But, if you’re using a faulty drill or a broken wire, you’ll experience electric shock while trying to run wire installations. However, there are ways you can avoid electrocution when drilling wires into a hole.

1. Ensure that your drill is in good condition.
   
2. Use only durable and reliable electrical wires.
   
3. Avoid patching up wires. If your wire is damaged, buy a new one for installation.
4. Switch off the power control board before electrical installations.
5. Cables melt quickly. So before you begin the installation, ensure it is still in good shape.

Final Thoughts – Can Electrical Wires Touch Drywall

An electrical wire is not an exposable tool because it has flowing currents that can cause electrocution. Asides from this, improper wiring in extreme situations can cause fire outbreaks that can lead to death.

This reason makes the house wiring project one of the most necessary aspects to consider in home improvement. If you face a challenge while trying to install electrical wires in your home, please consult a professional electrician.