Notches or holes

[mbelectric]

If you are installing new cables across joists and the old cables are situated in notches, should you utilise these notches (with added protection) or should you drill new holes?

I ask the question because I was asked this question for my 16th edition exam and I said the latter (based on the assumption that the original notches may not be in the prescribed areas), apparantly I was wrong, as drilling new holes would weaken the support.

An electrician friend of mine insists that you should NEVER use notches regardless, and should always drill holes.

 

[stargazer]

I suppose by utilising the existing notches you are not making matters any worse in terms of the structural integrity of the wood. And it would be cheaper than consulting a structural engineer to tell you whether or not the combination of existing notches and new holes was safe! Or does one sometimes just use common sense when on the job…

For anybody who is interested there is guidance on notching and drilling wood here

An electrician friend of mine insists that you should NEVER use notches regardless, and should always drill holes.

In an ideal world yes, unless you're a plumber

 

[SparkyFromTheValley]

it really depends on individual cases. notches are out of fashion but if they are where your wire is going then use them.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Sort of like this then?

Untitled

• Taylortwocities
• 12 Oct 2008
• 10

Was the plumber or the sparky here first, I wonder?

 

[ColJack]

sparky for definite, the wood in the holes looks more aged than the wood where the cut is..


lazy pipe fitters pulling up the easy boards where the sparky had already been..


if I ever get to build my own house, I'm going to put 2x3's under the joists running at right angles to them, then suspend the ceiling from those..

gives the somewhere to run the services, even square ducting for central air...

 

[bernardgreen]

Holes drilled midway between top and bottom are the best as they hardly affect the strength of the beam.

 

[holmslaw]

..

 

[ban-all-sheds]

lazy pipe fitters pulling up the easy boards where the sparky had already been..

Or someone trying to avoid damaging any more boards?