in which way does an electrician install romex to look so uniform and straight?

Question

i am an experienced industrial electrician with knowldge in single-phase, as well, but i just dont understand how some guys can install so perfect-looking circuits with romex....

Answer 1

It really is no different then any other form of wiring. Takes planning and experience.



Although it doesnt have to be perfect in the walls, I always run my holes first using a cordless or angle drill and an auger bit I simply hold it at the height i decide and run all the way around the room as far as i need to go. We almost always have to hit the middle of the stud to comply with code.



Punch and stack the wires under the same staple if running into the same box if you can. When coming into the panel same thing as pipe. Keep it straight until just before the box. Strap more per foot in areas that are exposed as in by the panel. Stretching the wire as you staple too.



If running on rafters staple every joist. Make your runs in straight lines with the walls and turn at 90 degrees if possible. Staple as close to the bends as you can.



As stated before unroll the wire as you go. I however do open the package wire in 250' rolls and start from the inside. This way I dont have a mess and it is easier to handle the wire. Some electricians that do alot of residential have the 1000' rolls and just stick it between the studs of an inside wall. Others have homemade contraptions that work well with the smaller rolls.



Just think of it as pipe that you don't need a hand bender for. Bend it as you would EMT. Saddle bends are a piece of cake though. And inside the panel is pretty much the same as Industrial.

Answer 2

I agree with Kemo62. But, while electricians do this daily and have a routine, we others have to plan more. I'll bet you're used to pulling conductors through conduit which is different from pulling romex. Plan your route. Follow the directions Kemo62 gave. When you have the romex pulled from the farthest point to the junction or breaker, leave your pigtail and then start fastening back toward your farthest point. Make sure the cable is flat against whatever you're fastening to and secure it with staples, etc. When you get to the other end, cut and pull through the applinace, box, or terminal and leave your 6 to 8 inch pigtail on that end. I've seen electricians pull multiple lengths at the same time, then individually secure each run. Good luck.

Answer 3

First of all I say It's to your credit that you have a concern with neat good looking work. I dont feel that you really need my advise ,but you asked and maybe some less experienced reader will benifit from my post.



The key to neat wiring is to not install twists in the wire when you take it from the coil. You must un roll it from the coil and not just pull it from the stationary coil on the floor.



When you pull the wire from the coil, a twist is installed in the wire for every loop coming out.

To avoid the twists in the wire, anchor the loose or free end of the with something place on top or tie it to something. Be sure to anchor the free end on the out side of the coil diameter, Then holdling the coil in your arms rotate it to unwind as you back away. You can start pulling the wire through its planned route of drilled holes and if its a long run and you need more length just grab the coil and unwind by rotating coil on your forearms as you back away Keep an eye on the unwinding wire and if you see a twist work it out by manipulating the coil to "unscrew the twist."Twist within 20 feet of the end and be hand manipulated out .

Never start by pulling the free end from the inside diameter of the coil, you will end up with a birds nest of twisted tangled wire

Answer 4

Several good ideas have been mentioned. One more I would like to add: For long runs on top of rafters, or not drilled through the joists, some folks attach the cable to the first joist, then staple, pull to the next joist, then staple, and so on and so on. I place the cable on the first joist and staple it; then I roll it out and stretch it to the last joist, in a straight line, and staple it. Then I go back and staple it to every other joist inbetween. This keeps the cable flat and straight and is much faster.

Answer 5

I'd agree with the camo Padres uniforms. Also, I think everyone who likes the new Rays jerseys is crazy. Great, we went from having a distinctive, but not tacky color (hunter green), to a color that almost half of MLB teams feature (blue)! More than anything, they're just...boring. Except for the starburst, which is legitimately awful.

Answer 6

Basically everyone has good points here, but mainly if you just try to make it look good and get enough practice at it it will look good. Stapled flat, no twists, patience is key, drilling neat holes and planning ahead.

Answer 7

use one of these Electrical Wire Caddy JB250