Last updated August 19, 2008
Hanging Wires
Hanging electrical wires are something that can cause a fire hazard as well as personal injury. One thing to keep in mind is that you must never leave wires hanging anywhere in the home. This goes for the basement and up to the attic. Hanging wires can be caught on things, be pulled from the connectors, and in some cases, can cause a fire or electrical shock if the current reaches you. If you have to hang wires throughout the basement up by the rafters, you need to secure them properly to avoid possible damage. Securing the hanging wires needs to be done correctly as well.
Securing wires is not done with a bent nail in the rafters. You need to use the right fasteners to secure the wiring to the rafters in the proper areas. You do not want to pull on the wires when securing them. You just want to have a little slack so you do not damage the wires inside. Another important reminder is not to hammer the nail through the wiring. If you are using the plastic fastener with two small nails on each side, you want the size to fit the wires. The wire needs to fit into the middle of the fastener and have enough clearance for the width and the height of the wire when secured.
In some cases, you might have to run the wiring around other things in the basement, which means you will have a good deal of hanging wires. If this is the case, run the wire away from furnaces and water heaters if possible. It’s always best to hire an experienced electrician to do the wiring because they will know the best and safest way to get the job done. Electricians will also use the correct fasteners when dealing with hanging wires that need to be taken care of before the job is done.
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