Can i run my cables from the outside box to the inside breaker box through 2x4 studs?

Question

I am turning our carport into a living room and we have a 100amp breaker box outside that feeds power into the breaker box on the inside of our house. the conduit is going to be in the way of the wall frame. is it ok by code to run that cable through the 2x4 studs if i bored holes in them??

Answer 1

National Electric Code calls for protection of the cable or raceway (conduit).

National Electric Code (NEC)

300.4 Protection Against Physical Damage. Where subject to physical damage, conductors shall be protected.

(A) Cables and Raceways Through Wood Members.

(1) Bored Holes. In both exposed and concealed locations, where a cable or raceway type wiring method is installed through bored holes in joists, rafters, or wood members, holes shall be bored so that the edge of the hole is not less than 32 mm (11⁄4 in.) from the nearest edge of the wood member. Where this distance cannot be maintained, the cable or raceway shall be protected from penetration by screws or nails by a steel plate(s) or bushing(s), at least 1.6 mm (1⁄16 in.) thick, and of appropriate length and width installed to cover the area of the wiring.

Exception No. 1: Steel plates shall not be required to protect rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, or electrical metallic tubing.

(2) Notches in Wood. Where there is no objection because of weakening the building structure, in both exposed and concealed locations, cables or raceways shall be permitted to be laid in notches in wood studs, joists, rafters, or other wood members where the cable or raceway at those points is protected against nails or screws by a steel plate at least 1.6 mm (1⁄16 in.) thick, and of appropriate length and width, installed to cover the area of the wiring. The steel plate shall be installed before the building finish is applied.

Exception No. 1: Steel plates shall not be required to protect rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, or electrical metallic tubing.

Building codes dictate how large the holes and notches can be.

International Residential Code (IRC)

Any stud may be bored or drilled, provided that diameter of the resulting hole is no more than 60% of the stud width and the edge of the hole is no more than 5/8” to the edge of the stud, and the hole is not located in the same area as a cut or notch. Studs located in exterior walls or bearing partitions drilled over 40% and up to 60% shall also be doubled with no more than 2 successive doubled studs bored.

Which means for bearing walls with 2x4 studs, the maximum hole diameter is 1 3/8" and maximum notch depth is 7/8". For a non-bearing wall with 2x4 studs, the maximum hole diameter is 2 1/8" and maximum notch depth is 1 3/8". For bearing walls with 2x6 studs, the maximum hole diameter is 2 3/16" maximum notch depth is 1 3/8". For non-bearing walls with 2x6 studs, the maximum hole diameter is 3 5/16" maximum notch depth is 2 3/16".

Check local codes for amendments before proceeding. It might also be a good idea to consult with an engineer, to insure structural integrity is maintained.