Home Improvement Ideas Interior Walls How to Work With Metal Stud Wiring When Installing a Wall Metal studs are a great choice when installing a new wall. Here's all you need to know about working with cutting, fitting, and wiring metal studs. By Caitlin Sole Caitlin Sole Caitlin Sole is the senior home editor at BHG. She is a writer and editor with nearly a decade of interior design expertise. She has vast experience with digital media, including SEO, photo shoot production, video production, eCommerce content, print collaboration, and custom sales content. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on September 9, 2022 Fact checked by Lindsey Scharold Fact checked by Lindsey Scharold Lindsey Scharold has over 5 years of professional writing experience, from copywriting and technical writing to journalism and cultural criticism. She earned her BA in Sociology in 2014. Since 2022, she has worked as a Research Assistant at Parsons School of Design and as an Editorial Intern at The New School for Social Research, where she earned her MA in Creative Publishing and Critical Journalism. Lindsey is trained in ethics, research methods, statistics, cultural studies, and art history. Learn about BHG's Fact Checking Process Trending Videos Close this video player Building a wall with steel framing boasts a number of benefits. Steel is resistant against morphing, fire, rotting, and every homeowner's worst nightmare: termites. They are also more lightweight than their wood counterparts. But, like working with wood, you will run into a few challenges when framing and installing your wall. Below, we show you how to work around those challenges, such as running cables through the studs. Follow along with our steps to get the job done right. Getting Started Metal studs save money and are easy to install. Metal studs have precut holes designed to accommodate electrical and plumbing lines. When running NM cable through metal framing, inspect the holes to be sure there are no rough or sharp edges that could damage insulation. Always use the special bushings designed to protect wiring. What You Need ScrewdriverTin snipsStrippersVariable-speed drillLineman's pliersNonconducting ladderBushingsCableBoxes for metal studs Step 1: Insert Studs Cut metal studs and channels with tin snips. To make wiring easier in the future, be sure that you cut the studs so that their electrical keyholes are at an even height. Lay the channels where you want them and fasten to the ground and ceiling using a drill and screws. Slide the studs into channels at the bottom and top of the wall. Drive a self-piercing screw into each joint. Step 2: Insert Bushing Steel studs come with pre-cut keyholes designated for threading electrical wires. Determine the route you want your wires to go. Where the cable runs through a stud, snap a protective bushing into place. These come in two pieces that press together. Step 3: Pull Cable Through If the wire is connected to any power source, you must turn the power off before working with wires. Run the cable through the protective bushings. The bushing will protect the cable from any damage the sharp cut steel may cause. Pull the cable the same way you would pull it through holes in wood framing members. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit