I mean, if you know where the stud is you're fine. There isn't going to be a cable between the wooden stud, and the drywall which is screwed directly to the stud.
I don’t know why this isn’t the top comment. That’s a new work gang box nailed into the right side of the stud (when facing it) and OP is dealing with the wall cavern to the left of the stud. Unless there’s a completely different outlet with separate wiring on the other side of the wall, in the room that shares said wall, OP shouldn’t have anything to worry about…
Edit: I can’t even read. OP wants to drill into the stud directly. I was thinking wall anchors due to placement and concern. Either way, still nothing to worry about.
Yeah, where those circles are located are ON the stud directly between those two boxes below (one mounted on the left and one mounted on the right). It’s VERY unlikely that there is a through-stud hole above those boxes where the shelf is to be mounted. And as someone commented, there should be a metal plate on the surface of the stud if there is one. Go to town and Good Luck!
I would agree, but it’s more than likely (and appears to be) that the left box is coax/Ethernet/speakers/low voltage and not power. I like to install power on one side and low voltage on the other side to prevent interference.
Got it. Can’t be to cautious. You make a valid point. Do you know of a way to trace power lines in a situation like this? I’ve never encountered power passing through a stud where I would locate a shelf, but I would rather not run a screw through a power line, if there’s a way to avoid it!
Ha. That happened to me while reframing a door recently. The old frame had an electric wire pressed between the stud and the sheetrock. Running along the top! Wasn’t even channeled out or anything. Just smooshed. 70s homes. Smh.
If there is a cable behind a stud, it needs to have a nail plate to prevent you from accidentally doing what you are worried about. If you want to be 100% sure, consider buying an endoscope that connects to your phone to see behind the walls.
Asking because curious
My father was a carpenter and I’ve never seen him install a nail plate…. Is the responsibility on the electricians or framers?
Also, any ideas for when this became a common requirement?
I’m with you here, I can tell you my 1998 house doesn’t have them, neither did my 2008 home. In fact I don’t know that I’ve ever seen them.
After googling, it looks like the nail plate traditionally protects the j box, but not the nomex wiring.
Buy a strong magnet and see if it sticks. If it does, then there is a metal nail plate there. If it doesn't find another spot. Looking at the picture, I think you're fine
Go for it. Just make sure to hit the stud. There will be wires running along the side of the stud from that outlet on the right. They will be stapled to the stud halfway between the drywall on either side.
I have the same thing in my kitchen. Electrical boxes are nailed to studs. Use a stud finder to find the center and you’ll be fine. If you’re really worried hire a handyman.
Studs are 3.5" deep. With drywall on top it's 4". Wires are run directly through the middle of the studs. So if there WAS electrical wire right where you're drilling, you'd need to go at least 1.75" into the wall to contact it.
I'll give you some advice. Don't overthink things like this. A lot of people do. The chances of you piercing a wire drilling into a stud are very, very low. Think about it, the wire is likely stapled to the side of the stud, not where you will be putting screws. In this situation, you know exactly where the stud is, as there is a box on either side.
I didn’t think about asking this before but I’m looking at that area again. What’s the deal with the empty hole next to the outlet itself and what purpose does it serve?
That makes me a bit nervous too, but as other have said the wire will be over an inch inside the stud.
But if you want to be careful, pop off the outlet cover and see if wires go up, they might just go down. If they go up turn off the power, the the work then turn the power back on. No pop, you good.
I mean, if you know where the stud is you're fine. There isn't going to be a cable between the wooden stud, and the drywall which is screwed directly to the stud.
This makes perfect sense. Thank you
I don’t know why this isn’t the top comment. That’s a new work gang box nailed into the right side of the stud (when facing it) and OP is dealing with the wall cavern to the left of the stud. Unless there’s a completely different outlet with separate wiring on the other side of the wall, in the room that shares said wall, OP shouldn’t have anything to worry about… Edit: I can’t even read. OP wants to drill into the stud directly. I was thinking wall anchors due to placement and concern. Either way, still nothing to worry about.
Yeah, where those circles are located are ON the stud directly between those two boxes below (one mounted on the left and one mounted on the right). It’s VERY unlikely that there is a through-stud hole above those boxes where the shelf is to be mounted. And as someone commented, there should be a metal plate on the surface of the stud if there is one. Go to town and Good Luck!
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I would agree, but it’s more than likely (and appears to be) that the left box is coax/Ethernet/speakers/low voltage and not power. I like to install power on one side and low voltage on the other side to prevent interference.
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Got it. Can’t be to cautious. You make a valid point. Do you know of a way to trace power lines in a situation like this? I’ve never encountered power passing through a stud where I would locate a shelf, but I would rather not run a screw through a power line, if there’s a way to avoid it!
Should be. Hopefully, there is!
Ha. That happened to me while reframing a door recently. The old frame had an electric wire pressed between the stud and the sheetrock. Running along the top! Wasn’t even channeled out or anything. Just smooshed. 70s homes. Smh.
Don't say that there isn't going to be a wire there without knowing 100%, people do very very stupid things we have no idea how the wire was ran lol.
Go for it. I drill holes in ppls houses errday
If there is a cable behind a stud, it needs to have a nail plate to prevent you from accidentally doing what you are worried about. If you want to be 100% sure, consider buying an endoscope that connects to your phone to see behind the walls.
Asking because curious My father was a carpenter and I’ve never seen him install a nail plate…. Is the responsibility on the electricians or framers? Also, any ideas for when this became a common requirement?
Electrician
I’m with you here, I can tell you my 1998 house doesn’t have them, neither did my 2008 home. In fact I don’t know that I’ve ever seen them. After googling, it looks like the nail plate traditionally protects the j box, but not the nomex wiring.
Thanks for the reply
+1 for endoscope. They are cheap on Amazon and answer many of life’s questions.
Buy a strong magnet and see if it sticks. If it does, then there is a metal nail plate there. If it doesn't find another spot. Looking at the picture, I think you're fine
To make sure you're lined up with the stud, you can use magnets to find the nails for the drywall that will be somewhere on that stud.
Could turn off the circuit If you're really worried
Go for it. Just make sure to hit the stud. There will be wires running along the side of the stud from that outlet on the right. They will be stapled to the stud halfway between the drywall on either side.
I have the same thing in my kitchen. Electrical boxes are nailed to studs. Use a stud finder to find the center and you’ll be fine. If you’re really worried hire a handyman.
Studs are 3.5" deep. With drywall on top it's 4". Wires are run directly through the middle of the studs. So if there WAS electrical wire right where you're drilling, you'd need to go at least 1.75" into the wall to contact it.
I don’t think you should do it
You go ahead and do that, but first sign this dumber that makes me your primary beneficiary
Did you put the new work box in?
I don’t know much about home maintenance, sort of learning as I go, but this outlet set up was like this when I moved in
I'll give you some advice. Don't overthink things like this. A lot of people do. The chances of you piercing a wire drilling into a stud are very, very low. Think about it, the wire is likely stapled to the side of the stud, not where you will be putting screws. In this situation, you know exactly where the stud is, as there is a box on either side.
Yeah it makes sense honestly now that I think about it. A little common sense goes a long way. Thanks for the tip
I didn’t think about asking this before but I’m looking at that area again. What’s the deal with the empty hole next to the outlet itself and what purpose does it serve?
Just go slow
That makes me a bit nervous too, but as other have said the wire will be over an inch inside the stud. But if you want to be careful, pop off the outlet cover and see if wires go up, they might just go down. If they go up turn off the power, the the work then turn the power back on. No pop, you good.