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The installation of wiring is one of the first concerns people have with structural insulated panels (SIPs), but the reality of the challenge isn’t a big problem. The best way to install wires is by stringing them through floor and ceiling frames, then running the cables down slots routed through the interior surface of the OSB. Cut a plywood template to guide the travel of the router, speeding the operation. Vertical cuts in the OSB are completely acceptable and don’t interfere with wall integrity. Just be sure to avoid horizontal cuts since they greatly reduce panel strength. Extend the slots to 2 inches deep using a hot knife to remove foam, then install wiring and electrical boxes. Apply foam to the wire slots after inspection, then install interior wall surfaces.

SIPs Wiring

 

— Steve Maxwell, contributing editor 

Comments

  • Bill Gadbois 3/23/2009 4:44:36 PM

    The SIP panels in my home already had the wire channels cut out before the inner wood panel was bonded to the foam. Then they clearly marked on the indoor side where to find the wire channels. Outlet boxes required a little enlarging of the wire channel to accommodate the box. The electricians wired our two story 2400 sf house in two days.

  • William C. Hart 3/18/2009 9:46:07 PM

    I think you will find that any slotting of the SIPS will damage their resistance to wind forces, no matter whether the slots are vertical or horizontal. There is another relatively easy way to make provisions for wiring, if you plan for those locations before you assemble the walls. You can heat a metal rod and push the rod against the inside surface of the SIP to make a styrofoam conduit through which you can use a pull string to run your wiring. In most structural members you can cut or bore holes in the middle of the individual piece that are relatively small without damaging the overall strength of that member, but any cut, vertical or horizontal, that starts on any edge will significantly diminish the strength of that member and may make the whole section fail.
    Bill Hart,
    General Contractor and Construction Consultant

  • Christina Medei 3/12/2009 12:41:02 PM

    Just saw this on green renovation on the DIY channel. It's called hot balling. Basically, before your wall panels are totally set, heat a one inch bearing ball with a torch (hold with plyers) it's got to be HOT. Then drop the ball into the styro filler in the location you want to run wiring. Then let gravity and the heat of the ball takes it's course. The ball will melt it's way through and drop out the bottom. Leaving a one inch hollow just like the ones placed by the manufacturer. Easy as pie!

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