How to Install Nail Plates to Protect Electrical Wiring

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Things You'll Need

  • Nail plates

  • Hammer

Electrical Wiring Running Through Wall Studs

Electrical wiring is strung through holes drilled through the middle of wooden studs when constructing homes, condos, apartments and other residential structures. When driving a nail into a wall stud, a home owner or renter can easily drive a nail into live wiring and receive an electrical shock, or worse, cause a house fire from an arcing electrical current. To add a measure of safety, nail plates should be installed on both sides of the wall stud to protect both sides of the wiring. This is most easily done during the construction phase (new, addition, or remodel) of the building process.

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Step 1

Drill wiring holes through the wall studs. Run the wiring to outlet, switch, and junction boxes.

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Step 2

Hold a nail plate in place on the drywall side of the wall stud, over the wiring hole. Use a hammer to pound the spikes on the top and bottom of the plate into the stud.

Step 3

Repeat on the other side of the stud in the same location.

Step 4

Add nail plates in every living space that someone would possibly want or need to adhere something to the wall.

Tip

Add nail plates to protect plumbing, too.

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