Spray Foam Insulation Electrical Wiring

Touch n foam 2 component spray foam expands and touch n foam 2 component spray foam expands and cures quickly to fill cavities gaps cracks expansion joints and other sources of air leakage in a building envelope.

Spray foam insulation electrical wiring. The person applying the expanding spray foam should apply the spray foam further than three inches away since the foam will expand towards the wiring. Plus many spray foams are flammable. Wipe away imperfections with a cloth soaked in great stuff foam cleaner. Store or dispose of the product as per directed on label.

After the wiring is in place the insulation can be laid in. Most homes are insulated using batt or roll insulation. At the finishing stage. If using great stuff pro with foam dispensing gun follow these additional steps before application.

A safe practice is to avoid working in the area while spraying is taking place and for a period of time up to 24 hours thereafter as recommended by the spray foam manufacturer. Other options such as spray foam or loose insulation are also a possibility but in all cases the insulation needs to be installed after the wiring is done. Never allow foam to touch exposed wiring. Another aspect of spray foam insulation with respect to electrical wiring is its capacity to block moisture a definite advantage with electricity.

That is using traditional building techniques spray foam should be installed after the rough plumbing electrical wiring and heating and air conditioning ducts have been installed but before the interior walls are. However be careful not to get the foam inside the box because it will jam up parts. Spray foam insulation is professionally installed at the same point in the construction cycle as other types of insulation. In their continuing education class the instructor mentioned that the national electric code is monitoring the use of field applied spray foam and electrical wiring that becomes imbedded in the process.

I recently had a conversation with a couple members of my family who are both electricians. Overspray should be allowed to harden before being cut or scraped away from the wires for all types of insulation including open cell spray foam. Foam should be tack free in 10 to 15 minutes. There have been failures in the wiring because of the heat that can build up in the covered wires.

As it is industry groups have conducted several decades of extensive testing finding that spray foam insulation does not affect electrical wiring when safely applied and installed. When there is no insulation between the back of an electrical box and an outside wall it may be possible to add insulation behind it.