How to Drill for Cinder Block Wiring

Use a power drill to secure the raceway sections to the wall.

Cinder blocks are used in household construction in various parts of the country instead of traditional wood stud frames. The center of the blocks are hollow and depending on local building code regulations, can be filled with rebar and cement. Prior to filling the hollow centers, electrical cable is run through the centers and out through a drilled hole to the cinder block's surface where it meets an outlet or wall switch box. After the centers have been filled, though channels can be cut into the cinder block surface, it is easier to attach surface-mount boxes and metal raceways.

Things You'll Need

• Surface-mount box
• Small-point black marker
• Power drill
• Masonry bit
• 1 5/8 inch masonry anchors
• Metal raceway sections

Instructions

1. Choose the location of the wall switch or outlet. Hold the wall switch/outlet surface-mount box against the wall in this location, and use a black marker to mark the box's screw holes on the wall.

2. Place a masonry bit in a power drill's chuck, and drill into the cinder block wall at each mark to the depth of the 1 5/8-inch masonry anchors. Push an anchor into each hole, ensuring that the anchors are flush with the wall. Hold the surface-mount box in position against the wall, and insert a 1 5/8-inch screw into each anchor.

3. Position each section of metal raceway against the wall where it will be installed. It is best to run the raceway sections either vertically or horizontally. Ensure that the end of the final section of raceway meets the location where the electrical cable enters the room (usually at a top corner between a wall and the ceiling). Mark the position of the screw holes on each section of raceway. Remove the raceway sections from the wall.

4. Drill into each mark on the wall, and insert a masonry anchor into each hole. Reposition the raceway sections, and screw them into position. Insert the electrical cable into the raceway run, and snap on each raceway section's lid.

Tips & Warnings

• Though some raceway sections come with an adhesive strip on the back for easy installation, it is best to secure metal raceway strips in place with screws when fitting it against cinder block walls, as the surface can be rough.

References

• Google books: Ultimate Guide to Wiring: Complete Home Projects
• legrand: Metal Raceway