{"id":499,"date":"2021-05-20T17:29:02","date_gmt":"2021-05-20T17:29:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cohesivehomes.com\/?p=499"},"modified":"2021-05-20T17:29:03","modified_gmt":"2021-05-20T17:29:03","slug":"running-electrical-wire-through-cinder-blocks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cohesivehomes.com\/running-electrical-wire-through-cinder-blocks","title":{"rendered":"Running Electrical Wire Through Cinder Blocks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Every DIY-er out there has to face the inevitable challenge of running an electrical wire through a brick wall or concrete. This can either be a new construction home or an existing one. Depending on whether or not you can do this correctly will determine your level of skill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest problems that you will most likely face when working on your project is Code compliance. Of course, you can run <\/em>a wire anywhere, but knowing whether code allows it or not is the question. A question that arises here is it okay to run electrical wire through cinder blocks? If so, how can you do it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should be okay when running a wire through a cinder block so long as it\u2019s an underground feeder (UF) wire. You should, under all circumstances, avoid using a non-metallic (NM) wire such as a Romex. If you are wiring a new construction home, you won\u2019t have to break the wall \u2013 just drill into it. However, if you are planning on running electrical wire through a cinder block that has been filled up, you are in for a tough time. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Running an Electrical Wire Through Cinder Blocks<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Cinder<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

One of the primary reasons why you might want to run an electrical wire through cinder blocks is if all your house\u2019s walls, including the internal walls, are made of the same. Let\u2019s say you want to run a fridge wire through the walls into one of the rooms. Your best bet would be to either run the same through the attic or basement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You also have another option: running the wire through your walls. You may need to drill holes or even start breaking it a bit to run the wire and plaster the wall again. However, another option you may have is that of running the wire through <\/em>the cinder blocks. The best time to do that is when your contractor is laying these blocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem is that if you are passing BX 12- or 14-gauge wires<\/a> through a cinder block is against Code, regardless of whether it\u2019s NM or UF wire. Instead, Code recommends that you put a sleeve through the block first to act as a conduit. This sleeve can be either EMT or PVC. <\/strong>Avoid metal conduits since they tend to erode and therefore may introduce openings leading to your wires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When running these conduits through cinder blocks, it is important to remember that under no circumstances should you splice a wire that you are about to run through it, nor should you attach a junction box in the middle, i.e., where you don\u2019t have direct access to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some cinder blocks are firewall blocks, in which case you will need to caulk openings with a fire-rated caulk if possible. Otherwise, you can use any type of caulk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best course of action in our opinion would be to mount a junction box only at the sides of the cinder block, i.e., the entry and exit point, <\/strong>and then run a straight length of wire from box to box. You can then run the wire anywhere else from there \u2013 even if you want to run NM wires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plastic bushings at both ends are also a great way to protect the wire, so long as they are placed on both ends. This will protect your wire from the conduit, should the corners (or the junction boxes) heat up too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Run Wires Through Cinder Block<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first and most important consideration you need to make when running electrical wire through cinder blocks is to check whether the blocks have been filled or not. Contractors or builders usually don\u2019t bother filling these holes on their own, unless the building or wall needs to be extremely sturdy, such as a retaining wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, DIY-ers often fill these walls up, effectively making it impossible for wires to run through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can either ask the builder about whether or not they filled it up or simply tap the cinder block to check it \u2013 however, the latter method requires a lot of experience. You can also choose to drill a hole in the wall to check whether the blocks have been filled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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