Where should steel plates be installed to protect wires when drilling holes near a stud?

• A. On the edge of the stud
• B. On the opposite side of the wall
• C. Around the hole
• D. Not required

Answer: (A)

Wires that run through studs need protection from nails or screws, so steel nail plates are used. When a hole is drilled close to the edge of a stud, the plate is installed on the edge of that stud so the plate covers the wire path and nails driven from either side will hit the plate first instead of the wire. Placing the plate on the opposite side of the wall wouldn’t shield the wire from fasteners coming from the same side, and wrapping or surrounding the hole isn’t how this protection is applied. If the hole is near the edge, this protection is required to prevent damage to the wiring.