Drilling hole: Avoid AC wiring

[Venkatnarayan Hariharan]

Hi, I need to drill a hole (0.5" dia) thru my 6" thick wall (i believe its called dry wall). I have a B&D power screw-driver/drill, and yesterday I also purchased a long 0.5" dia drill. I intend to use these to drill the hole. The issue I have is this:

- How do I ensure that I dont drill into an AC wiring? Is there a simple/inexpensive way to detect AC wiring? If possible, I'd like to avoid purchasing an AC finder specifically for this project, bcoz its unlikely I'd need it again. Or is there an inexpensive one out there that I can purchase? (FYI: I live in the San Jose area in California)

There is an electrical outlet near the place I wish to drill, so I do plan to remove its faceplate and visually try to see which way the wires go. But that still doesnt give 100% gurantee. There could be other wiring thats running thru.

Kindly advise.

Thanx /Venkat

[Chuckles]

Venkatnarayan Hariharan wrote in news: [e-mail]:

If you hit the conduit or flexible shielding, you will know. It is not so easy to penetrate metal by accident. Don't be so scared of electrical cabling.

PS there is no such thing as 6" thick drywall. Most of the wall is hollow. You can make a hole in the front surface, and look inside. If it's all clear, continue to the back surface, assuming you have a 6" long drill bit.

Now if by some chance there is conduit behind the point at which you drilled, you will have to learn how to patch the hole.

[jstp]

Hmmm conduit behind the drywall? I don't think so.

Normally, once you've drilled through the thickness of the drywall (less than an inch), stop drilling, there will be empty space or insulation. You don't have to drill any further. Once the hole is made, you can see if there is any cable directly behind the drywall. If you hit a stud, normally a metal plate should protect any cable in that area, or the cable is passed through a hole in the stud a couple of inches from the drywall. But if you need 6 inches, you may need to be careful about cables behind the insulation or passing through the stud.

Why do you need 6 inches depth anyway? Maybe we could help you out further if we knew why your hole needs to be so deep.

[mark Ransley]

Gee a Troll Stormin Mormin , hes learnin

[mark Ransley]

Go for it , youll be ok,, Drill.