Welcome to our video demonstrating the electrical wiring of Premier SIP walls.
The Anatomy of a SIP
Premier SIPs come factory-prepared with vertical and horizontal electrical chases cut directly into the foam core. Vertical chases are typically located every four feet on center, while horizontal chases are positioned at standard switch and outlet heights. If needed, electrical chases can also be custom-placed based on specific customer requirements—provided that information is given to Premier before the SIP layout drawings are finalized.
Installing SIPs for Wiring
Begin by installing the bottom plate of the SIP walls onto the platform subfloor. It’s important that the outer face of the SIP is fully supported by the platform.
Next, review the SIP layout drawings to confirm where the vertical electrical chases are located. Mark the corresponding chase locations both on the subfloor and on the face of the installed bottom plate.
Using a drill with a boring spade or a similar bit slightly larger than the diameter of the chase, drill vertical holes through the bottom plate and the subfloor sheathing.
When setting the SIPs, use the location markings on the SIP face and subfloor to ensure that the bottom plate access holes and the vertical chases are properly aligned. If they’re not aligned, re-mark and re-drill the bottom plate access holes.
Install block splines with factory-cut holes that align with the horizontal electrical chases in the SIPs. If using solid or engineered lumber splines, pre-drill them to match the chase locations.
At the top of the wall, drill vertical holes through the top plate at the chase locations using the same method.
Marking and Cutting for Electrical Boxes
At factory-marked switch and receptacle heights:
Use a receptacle box as a template to mark the SIP surface.
Using a circular saw, cut at the intersection of vertical and horizontal chases where wiring will change direction.
Then, use a rotary cutter to cut around the full outline of the switch or receptacle opening.
Preset metal templates can speed up the cutting process by eliminating hand-marking.
Remove the cutout carefully to expose the chase. It’s important to keep the cutout pieces in case you need to patch any openings later.
Make sure all drilled access holes are completely clean and free of debris to allow easier wire pulling.
Running Wiring
With the access holes prepared, wiring can now be pulled through the factory chases. After wiring is completed, install all switch, receptacle, and fixture boxes.
Wiring Around Corners
There are two options for turning wiring around corners:
Run the wire downward into the floor platform from one panel’s vertical chase, then feed it upward into the next panel’s vertical chase.
Alternatively, cut a 4-inch circular hole at the corner intersection at the chase height, feed the wire through, and then foam and reinsert the plug into the hole afterward.
Air Sealing After Wiring
After all wiring is installed:
Use low-expanding construction foam to seal behind electrical boxes and in any unused cutouts.
Foam seal all interior and exterior wall electrical boxes.
Foam fill all used and unused wire access holes for complete air sealing.
Wiring Across Different Building Platforms
Premier SIPs allow flexible wiring setups, including:
SIPs stood on a structural floor platform.
SIPs bearing on a stem wall or a full-height basement wall, with the floor platform bearing on the mud sill.
Two-story SIP structures with an open platform between floors, ensuring chase alignments between first and second stories.
SIPs constructed over slab-on-grade foundations, where wiring is run from the top of the SIP wall or through intersecting interior partition walls.
Each platform configuration provides excellent access for electrical wiring.
Thank you for watching!
.svg){kind=logo}
