Answers to Electrical Questions About Wiring in Metal Studs, Rewiring Pendant Fixtures, Switches for Garbage Disposals and Rewiring Kitchen Lights

April 3, 2008

Question mark Ron asks: I’m framing my basement with metal studs that are only 2.5? deep and I can’t seem to find cable grommets / bushings for these studs. Isn’t there an industry standard opening size with matching grommets?

Thanks for providing a valuable service.

Answer: Yes, there are 2 common sizes, but they require a stud punch. I recommend visiting an electrical supply house and see what they have in stock.

Patrick asks: I have an old pendant ceiling light that needs rewiring. I can do the wiring easily enough, but don’t know what strength (if thats the correct word) wire to use.

Answer: This depends on the size of the fixture or more importantly, the number of lamp holders with their allowable maximum wattages. Typically, 16 AWG is used for most fixtures and 14 AWG is used on larger fixtures.

Mike asks: Is a garbage disposal switch and a light switch basically wired the same?

Answer: Yes they are Mike. You only need to break the hot or black wire.

Rick asks: I had pendant lights wired in my kitchen, they may have been low voltage they did have halogen bulbs. When I installed the new lights I don’t have power. Is it possible low volt wiring is in the ceiling and now I have to stay with low volt lights or can I switch and does it matter what the old lights were? Thanks

Answer: The existing wiring may be for low voltage fixtures. You need a volt meter to determine this. You can pick one of these up at Radio Shack or your local home improvement center for around $10.00.

What does the wire look like? Is it only 2 conductors (wires) and looks like heavy duty lamp cord or is it romex? If it is not romex, you need to install romex for line voltage (120 volt) light fixtures.

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Written by Wayne Gilchrist · Filed Under Electrical Installations & Repairs

Comments

2 Responses to “Answers to Electrical Questions About Wiring in Metal Studs, Rewiring Pendant Fixtures, Switches for Garbage Disposals and Rewiring Kitchen Lights”

mary on May 5th, 2008 8:30 pm

help. i was warming my dinner in my oven at 300 when black smoke was rolling though my house and the smoke alarm screaming. i knocked the alarm off with an umbrella and removed my burnt offering dinner but couldn’t turn the oven off. the coils were glowing orange and i couldn’t turn it off. so i went to the basement and turned off the electric power and pulled the plug from the oven. ok. is this a problem with the crummy old stove or electical line? which man should i call first to rip me off??
arnold c on October 20th, 2008 10:09 pm

how do you attach romex to metal studs

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