List Only

Drilling nails through a wall need to know where wires are.?

If I don't have a electrical wire finder. I want to drill in the middle of a wall I want to know that I am not gonna fry my self. I live in an apartment and the electrical box is sealed. So my only option is guess. If I knew how walls are wired then I can avoid drilling into a wire. Any thoughts or ideas befofe I drill? Is there a diagram anywhere online where I can see how walls are wired?

Public Comments

1. most of us electricians use the waist hi rule, this means when we drill holes in the stud for the wires we put the drill at our waist for leverage
2. If you want to be certain, you can purchase a stud finder that has an electrical locator. There is a light that indicates power when the sensor is passed over the area.
3. all wires go straight up towards ceiling from plug sockets
4. not all wires go straight up to the ceiling... some go from the level of the socket to another socket and then up... but usually as long as you dont mess around the area that has a socket or a light switch, then youll be fine...i remodel homes and build new ones, i know usually whats going on and where
5. Follow the advice of the other posters regarding common wire locations. If you want to be absolutely safe, they make electrical wire sensors that sense electromagnetic fields in home wiring. When you move the sensor near a live wire, it beeps with an alert sound. Those tools are about $15 at a hardware store. Hope this helps. Best Wishes.
6. Best bet is to round up a locator. You will use it again I am sure and it will last a lifetime. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_03470950000P?vName=Tools&cName=Electrical+Shop&sName=Test+%26+Measuring+Tools