Surface-Mounted Wiring This is a very simple wiring alternative which does not require concealing wire within the panels or baseboard. Wires are run in special pre-formed channel (wire mold) mounted directly on the wall surface, as shown in Figure 1. Wire mold is available in metal or plastic from most electrical suppliers, along with all the necessary fittings and elbows for your particular applications. Surface-mounted wiring is not commonly used in residential construction. Most homeowners do not want the wiring to be visible. This trend does seem to be changing somewhat, however, as more attractive wire mold is becoming available. A significant advantage to surface-mounted wiring is the ease with which modifications can later be made. This will be an important consideration to some homeowners.

Figure 1. Surface-Mounted Wiring.

Concealed Panel Wiring Concealing electrical wires within Curtainwall panels, as shown in Figure 2, is a common technique used by timber framers. With horizontal runs of wire in the basement, this is an easy way to install outlet receptacles at the standard height of 16"-18" above floor level. The steps required are outlined below: Cut hole for outlet box in drywall. Dig out foam insulation to required depth for box. Mark the floor deck directly below the box and measure from a reference point you can find in the basement. From the basement, drill a ¾ – 1"diameter hole through the band joist directly below the outlet box. Angle this hole upward at about a 30° angle. From above, push a section of curved ¾" pipe downward through the hole made for the outlet box to the drilled hole in the band joist. The curve of the pipe should be inward so as to keep the channel for the wire close to the inner (drywall) surface. Though this may sound difficult, it is quite easy after some practice. Run wire through chase and install receptacles, securing them with Madison straps.

Figure 2. Concealed Panel Wiring.

Figure 3. Door Jamb Wiring Chase. Figure 4. Floor Edge Wiring Chase. Figure 5. Baseboard Raceway.

Door Jamb Wiring Chase After the rough opening for a door is cut and routed out for the supporting 2x4s, wiring may be run upward along the routed panel edge for switches and outdoor lights. A short section of straight pipe is used to make a horizontal chase over to where the switch is being placed on the interior or the light fixture on the exterior. When the vertical 2x4 is set into the routed panel edge, it embeds the wire securely and safely into the insulation (Figure 3). Floor Edge Wiring Chase By holding back the flooring and/or subflooring ¾", and using a baseboard made of 5/4 stock, a wiring chase at the perimeter of the floor is created (Figure 4). The baseboard totally conceals the chase. With this technique, wiring can be done after panel installation, and future modifications can easily be made by pulling off a section of baseboard. The details of this technique will vary depending on the timber framing technique and the flooring/subflooring material used. If the posts are set on top of the subfloor and the subfloor was held back ¾", there will be a continuous wiring chase the full length of the wall. If, on the other hand, the posts are set directly on the sill, the posts will have to be drilled with a right-angle drill to provide a continuous wiring chase, or the wire will have to drop down into the basement to get around posts. This technique is particularly appropriate for upper floor applications where there is no basement for horizontal wiring runs. With 2" tongue-and-groove pine decking on the second floor held back ¾", a fairly large wiring chase will be created which should be able to hold all necessary wire. On upper floor applications with this technique, posts will usually have to be drilled to provide a continuous wiring chase. Baseboard Raceway This technique is gaining popularity with many timber framers. A specially-made baseboard is used which extends out from the wall at least an extra ¾" to provide a chase for wiring, as shown in Figure 5. These baseboards are typically shop-manufactured and cut to length on-site. Receptacles are inset into the baseboard and usually a short distance into the Curtainwall panel as well. Because the receptacles do not. penetrate far, if at all, into the insulation, the integrity of the insulation is little affected with this wiring technique. Wires should enter and exit the receptacles through the ends rather than back or sides. As with the Floor Edge Wiring Chase discussed above, posts will interrupt wiring runs. You will either have to drill the posts or drop the wire down into the basement to get around them. A slight variation of this technique makes use of European-design surface-mounted, low-profile, baseboard hydronic heating units. These baseboard heaters, which stand out little more than a standard wooden baseboard, carry relatively low-temperature water along the full perimeter of a room. They have a built-in wiring chase. The system is well-suited to timber framing and quickly gaining popularity.

Tools
A few specialized tools are all you will need to handle any wiring situation you come across with Curtainwall panels. These are listed below:

• Utility knife and/or drywall saw (for cutting through drywall)
• Drill with ¾" bit (for drilling through band joists)
• Heavy-duty right-angle drill (if required for drilling through posts)
• Two- to three-foot section of gently curved ¾" copper pipe and a short section of straight ¾" pipe.

For More Information
For additional information on wiring and other details of building with Winter Panel Curtainwall, contact the company.

WINTER PANEL CORP. 74 Glen Orne Drive, Brattleboro, VT 05301 (802) 254-3435 • Fax: (802) 254-4999 Copyright © 1999-2006. All rights reserved.

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