As a drywall installer, I get to see firsthand what happens to stiff internet-coaxial cable wires when installers use a router to cut the openings for electrical boxes. Unlike electrical cables, which can be folded to the back of the box where the router bit can’t hit them, these cables are stiff. They won’t stay put when folded to the back of the box. As a result, the cables can be damaged by the drywaller’s router bit.
The electrician on a recent job ran the wires through the holes on the other side of the box, then held the ends in place with loosely fit staples. This worked great, saving me some time and eliminating the risk of the wires getting damaged.
Myron R. Ferguson, Broadalbin, NY
Edited and Illustrated by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #222
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I tried this when I wired my house. It works.