I'm running cicuits in a garage and i didn't know if i could drill throught the fabricated trusses?

Question

is this against code? will an inspector call you on this if it's done? the trusses are 2x4's

Answer 1

Trusses are engineered. Any alteration seen by the building inspector would have to have a engineers calculation to show it is o.k. Even  If you are not going to have it inspected, I would not drill into them. They are usually engineered to meet the stresses shown on the plans and not really designed for any more than that. I would use decorative flat conduit that comes with the wire inside and run it over the sheet rock inside the garage. If you run your wire in the attic perpendicular to the trusses, then you should nail a 1x4 beside it so you will not step on it or hook your feet or something else when walking the attic.

Answer 2

I just wired my garage and I used the little plastic pieces with the nails already in them.

I got them at Lowes.

They are made for romex.

I just nailed them to the top of my trusses.

Careful you dont nail thru the wire.

Dont pound them in to tight, leave a bit for normal shifting of your garage.

They work great and very easy.

Answer 3

If it is trusses, why not go through the voids in the trusses, much easier and dont have to worry about the structual issues.   I would guess a 1' diameter hole in the center of the 2x4 will be ok, but that is a guess....not what you want to hear.    If you can, call a truss manufacturer, they should be able to tell you.

Answer 4

In an attic you can lay it on the truss and not staple it, because it is not considered readilly accessible.  I wouldn't drill the truss.  The inspector will not say anything about the wires laying on top of the trusses.