Outlets are typically attached to the studs inside walls with nails that tack them into the side of the stud. Therefore, you can pretty much guarantee that there will be a stud located immediately to either side of an outlet.
Most outlets and light switches will have a stud on the right or left side. The trim in your home, such as baseboards, crown molding, and other decorative finishing is usually nailed to a stud.
Drilling into a stud that has an outlet on it involves certain risks: Electrical Shock: Accidentally drilling into electrical wires can cause serious injury or even death. Fire Hazard: Damaged wires can spark, leading to potential fire hazards.
Holes should not be drilled directly above, below, or to the side of any electrical switches or outlets. Per the 2018 International Residential Code, electrical wires should be set back no less than 1-1/4 inches from the edge of the framing lumber.
Once you think you're on point, one last way to confirm that you're into a stud is to predrill a hole through the drywall with a narrow drill bit (think: 1/16-inch sized bit). You'll be able to feel resistance if the bit hits a stud once it passes through the drywall.
To avoid breaking the stud or allowing the drill to slip, choose a medium speed setting. Drill to the appropriate depth, which should be somewhat longer than the length of the screw. Wrap a piece of tape around the drill bit at the specified depth as a visual guide to prevent over-drilling.
If you start in a corner and measure out 16 inches and you don't find a stud, you should find one at 24 inches. You can also try holding a flashlight against a wall and looking down the wall to see if you can tell where two pieces of drywall meet. At that intersection, you'll definitely find a stud.
Investing in professional equipment, such as a cable avoidance tool, is the safest option to avoid wires. However, if you don't have access to this, most wiring runs horizontally 6 inches or 12 inches above the receptacle, so avoid these areas. If it is possible, only drill shallow holes.
According to the NEC, the load should not exceed 1250 watts on a 20 amp circuit. Where can outlets not be installed? Outlets can be placed almost anywhere in a home, with the exception of a bathtub or shower. Outlets are also not allowed to be installed face-up on a countertop.
Check before drilling. Whether you're looking to put up some new shelves, mount a light or screw a cabinet on to the wall – before you reach for the drill, you should pick up a digital detection device. It can help you reduce the risks associated with drilling holes in your walls.
Most modern outlets are installed with a certain amount of space between the outlet box and the wall surface, so drilling too deep could potentially breach the outlet box itself, causing electrical hazards. Therefore, using a shorter drill bit might be advisable when drilling above an outlet.
Electrical lines are typically run down the space inside of studs because the drywall itself is hung directly onto the studs. That means there is no space for an electrical cable to run directly down the front of a stud, where you might be drilling into.
“Electrical wires often run vertically along studs,” says Matt Daigle, founder and CEO of sustainable home improvement site Rise. “A stud finder is a convenient hand-held tool that makes locating studs hidden behind drywall a quick and easy task.”
You may wonder: How far apart are the studs in my home? They're always spaced either 16 or 24 inches on center (measured from center to center) along the wall and run between the floor and ceiling. Drywall or lath (for plaster walls) attaches to the edge of the studs.
In the living areas, NEC dictates that the minimum distance between outlets should not exceed six feet when measured horizontally on the floor. Such regulations also exist for kitchen outlet spacing to avoid overstretching wires and the associated electric safety hazards.
Ideally, you should spread as many outlets around your home as possible and assign them to a single circuit. Just keep in mind the maximum load for a single circuit. A good rule of thumb is to assume that there will be a maximum power draw of 1.5 amps for each outlet, allowing 10 outlets for a single 20-amp circuit.
1 General requirements
The general requirements for the electrical outlet spacing code are based on the National Electrical Code (NEC), which is adopted by most states and localities in the US. According to the NEC, outlets should be installed so that no point along the wall is more than 6 feet from an outlet.
Some stud finders feature other helpful tools like deep scanning and AC wire detection. These prevent you from hitting a pipe or wire when hanging something up—expensive mistakes when you make them.
Damage to electrical wiring from drilling into walls is a surprisingly frequent phenomenon – especially when buildings are being renovated. Not only do the lights go out, but you usually blow a fuse as well. With a bit of luck, you might only have to repair the cable sheath.
Avoid drilling near light sockets or outlets
Wires in the wall often connect vertically and horizontally behind outlets and sockets and can lead to electrocution. Hitting a pipe in the wall can cause flooding. A simple rule of thumb is to avoid drilling anywhere near where there may be electrical hookups or piping.
One key difference between the two is that sheetrock is a brand name of drywall made by the United States Gypsum Corporation. Another difference lies in their production process; sheetrock has a slightly denser core than drywall due to the addition of a small amount of wood fiber to the gypsum core.
You can generally assume at least half a stud at corners (5/8" to 3/4" will be covered by drywall), but there are quite a few exceptions. Your best bet is to put a very small bit in your drill and gently feel for backing. A 1/16" bit is much less destructive than a nail.
Often called wallboard, drywall is 1/2-inch thick but can be 5/8-inch thick for ceilings and fire-prone areas like furnace rooms or between the garage and the house. Drywall is either screwed or nailed directly to the wall studs.