Medicine cabinet install

[SteveGSO]

Howdy,

Since my builder didn't see fit to install medicine cabinets, I'm trying to remedy that, without punching too many holes in the drywall.

Unfortunately, there's an outlet wire snaking along a stud in the preferred location in one bathroom, so I can either surface mount the medicine cabinet or install a connector box (either in the attic or higher up the wall), route the wire down the other side of the stud and then bring it back through below the medicine cabinet.

I came up with a 3rd option but I'm not sure if it meets code. Would it be okay to cut a groove in the stud to recess the wire (say 1/2" x 1/2" x 20")?

Thanks for any advice,
Steve

 

[Beekerc]

I came up with a 3rd option but I'm not sure if it meets code. Would it be okay to cut a groove in the stud to recess the wire (say 1/2" x 1/2" x 20")?

In this lay person's opinion, yes, grooving the the stud to encase the wire would be okay provided that (1) you protect the wire with nailer plate on the side that nails would likely be driven into the stud and (2) cutting said groove does not compromise the structural integrity of the stud (if it's a load bearing wall, or just a wall). this method is not the ideal way, but sometimes you get few options - and maybe some of the pro's here might be able to come up with one that you might not have thought of.

Cheers,
B