How to Avoid Disconnecting Electricals When Pouring Concrete

Running the electrical wiring of a structure through the concrete is a method used to keep the wires out of the wall cavities where they can interfere with the complete filling of the cavity with insulation. Just placing the wires onto the ground and then pouring concrete over them can pose the risk of disconnections from the ends of the wires. To avoid this happening, you can use PVC conduit to help you run the wire where it needs to go. The conduit also gives you a solid surface around which you can secure the wire runs, holding the wire in place despite the weight of the concrete being poured on top.

Tape measure
Screwdriver
PVC conduit
Hacksaw
PVC elbows
PVC primer
PVC cement
PVC pipes
Wire ties

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the length of the needed electrical run with a tape measure.
- 2
  Unscrew the wires from wherever they terminate, then run the wires through PVC conduits cut to fit the measured length with a hacksaw. Attach PVC elbows to the ends of the conduits by covering the end of the conduits and the interior of the elbows with PVC primer. Wait 30 seconds, then place a layer of PVC cement over the primer before attaching the elbow in place. Attach an additional PVC pipe to the elbows to raise the wires above the proposed surface of the concrete slab, then reconnect the ends of the wires.
- 3
  Lay the conduit on top of the rebar layer in the slab. Attach the conduit to the rebar, using wire ties placed every 5 feet along the conduit length.
- 4
  Pour the concrete over the conduit and rebar. The rebar will support the conduit, keeping the wires inside from moving and disconnecting at the ends as you cover them in the concrete.

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