The Family Handyman – September 2019

BEST PRO TIPS

FAMILYHANDYMAN.COM SEPTEMBER 2019 69

b

START AT AN
EXISTING OUTLET
Remove the outlet from an existing
junction box and screw on a baseplate.
Don’t forget to add a No. 10 grounding
screw to the baseplate. The entire race-
way assembly must be grounded.

b

MARK THE PATH
AND MEASURE
Draw a line marking the path of the
raceway to the next baseplate or fit-
ting. I like to temporarily screw that box
or fitting into place. You’ll have to anchor
it later anyway, and having it locked in
place makes measuring easier. Measure
between the plate and the fitting. Add
3/8 in. for each end (3/4 in. total) to get
the total length of the raceway.

bb

CUT THE RACEWAY
Cut the raceway track to length
with the “show” side facing up. A recip-
rocating saw or jigsaw will do the job,
but I use a hacksaw to avoid marring the
finish. Deburr the cut ends with a metal
file, then insert metal bushings (provided
with the accessories pack) in both ends.

bb

INSTALL THE CLIPS
You have two choices for fastening
the raceway: clips that go on first and
snap around the raceway base, and
straps that go over the raceway and
attach to the wall. I use clips because
they’re less visible. Either way, you need
support every 32 in. For fastening clips or
baseplates, I like screw-in drywall anchors
rather than the anchors that come with
the raceway. (E-Z Ancor is one brand.)

CAUTION:
Turn off the power at the main panel
and check with a noncontact voltage
detector before you begin work.

Planning tips

Q Building a raceway system is kind
of like plumbing; it requires the
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mean repeated trips to the store.
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and make a list of the items you’ll
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parts and return the leftovers.

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ells and bends. It’s less work for you
and makes for a neater installation.

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studs so you can screw directly
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for drywall anchors.

12

4

3

Baseplate Existing

junction box

Baseplate

Guideline

Elbow

fitting

Clip

Ground

screw