Questions tagged [junction-box]

A junction box is a container used to enclose electrical connections (junctions). Use with the [electrical] tag. Use with [wiring] if your questions involves wires.

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What is the proper way to leave unused nonmetallic sheathed cable inside walls or ceilings?

The question pretty much sums it up. I nailed through a live wire in my ceiling. Rather than splice it and install a jbox, I ran a new run to the outlet. However, I took a slightly different route ...
SBerg413's user avatar
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7 votes
2 answers
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How to tell if a ceiling junction box is braced to hold the weight of a ceiling fan?

My new home is almost done being built, and one of the extras I asked for was for two of the rooms to have junction boxes in the ceiling suitable for hanging a ceiling fan in the future. The light ...
maple_shaft's user avatar
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12 votes
2 answers
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What is this thing on my junction box?

This thing is on my junction box but i don't know what it is or what it's for.
hack3rfx's user avatar
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0 votes
3 answers
41k views

Can I use 14 gauge wire on a 20 AMP electrical circuit? [duplicate]

Running 12-2 Romex cable from the electrical panel to a J-box located in attic. J-box will connect two GFCI outlets and extend a 14-2 cable to the ceiling light fixture box, where other 14-2 cable ...
cadobe's user avatar
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9 votes
2 answers
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How can high and low voltage be mixed in a junction box?

So I'm aware of the standard rule of thumb, keep high and low voltage away from each other, preferably on opposite sides of a stud. However, while looking at some properties, I'm seeing telephone and ...
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6 votes
2 answers
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Bathroom vanity light with no junction box

I just removed two bathroom vanity lights to replace them and discovered that there was no junction box behind either. One light was mounted over a stud and the other was right next the a stud. At ...
Josh Stone's user avatar
0 votes
4 answers
3k views

How to Use GFCI Square Cover?

I have a 4" square box which I'm going to put a GFCI outlet in. I got one of the raised covers with a rectangular cutout for GFCIs. However, the outlet itself doesn't sit flush with the cover. When ...
Wei's user avatar
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16 votes
3 answers
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What's the minimum depth that an electrical box can recess into a finished wall? Does it have to be flush?

Do electrical boxes have to be flush to the finished surface? Can they recess any depth into the wall by as much as 1/8" or 1/4"? Edit: I appreciate everyone offering alternative solutions to ...
oscilatingcretin's user avatar
8 votes
2 answers
91k views

Is there any acceptable way to cover a junction box?

The outlet for my range hood was misplaced. It needs to be 4 inches to the side. I can make the junction and move the wiring to the new location but I really don't want to have the empty plate exposed....
Matthew's user avatar
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6 votes
5 answers
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Replacing an outdoor PVC junction box where it rains a lot

There is a PVC conduit running under deck with a line for a hottub. It lies right on the ground. There is a junction box, which also lies on the ground with its cover up. It rains a lot here. (See ...
Loki Kriasus's user avatar
6 votes
5 answers
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Is this an adequate junction box wire job using a standard electric box? (pic included)

I needed to splice a wire to repair nicked wire insulation, but I didn't feel like running to Lowe's just for a junction box. Instead, I used a regular electrical box. The wire comes up from the ...
oscilatingcretin's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
1k views

What is an acceptable way to ground receptacles branched off of an old 2-wire electrical circuit?

I have a house built in the '50s, and some of the runs are done with what appear to be original 12/2 cloth-sheathed wire without a grounding conductor (just hot and neutral). I'm looking to install ...
Ross Edfort's user avatar
4 votes
3 answers
17k views

Ground wire from the junction box

Background: I am a regular DIYer just starting out. My question is regarding the ground wire while installing a chandelier. I have just moved to a new location in Ontario, Canada. The house was built ...
eszed's user avatar
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10 votes
4 answers
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I modified a nail-in electrical box to use screws instead of nails. Is there some code that prevents that?

Ever since I dove into the electrical side of things with my project, I've encountered a bunch of code restrictions. One thing that wouldn't surprise me if it was a violation of code is what I've ...
oscilatingcretin's user avatar
8 votes
2 answers
8k views

Is this Junction Box too full?

I'm installing a flood lamp on my outdoor garage. So, I went to take look at the junction box, and to my surprise, it appears oddly filled: Filled to the point where I almost feel as though it's too ...
Christopher's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
11k views

Are split bolts wrapped in splicing tape rated for live connections?

I installed a spa sub-panel on the exterior of my house. The inside wiring is NM-B 6AWG cable that goes to a junction box where it's spliced to 6AWG direct bury cable (the NM-B wire I had wasn't long ...
Chris Thompson's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
463 views

Calculate electrical box volume needed

I am replacing some 15A 14/2 outlets. All went fine except the last. I think the box is not large enough. (3) 14/2 coming into the box; one is the live the other two go to other outlets All grounds ...
Mike's user avatar
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6 votes
6 answers
84k views

Can I cover junction boxes in the attic with insulation?

This may be a duplicate of What are the codes for electrical wiring in attics? I have an attic which is accessible via a ladder through an access panel in the garage and in a bedroom. The trusses ...
Evil Elf's user avatar
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6 votes
4 answers
24k views

Is a grommet needed for romex into this metal junction box?

I bought a 6-pack of these LED downlights. The metal junction box has knockout holes to run my 14-2 (with ground) wire. I was surprised that the J-box didn't come with grommets after knocking out the ...
Julius Seizure's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
2k views

How to secure loose new-work metal junction box

I have an old 3-gang metal junction box that is nailed to a stud on one side, via the "new work" straps above and below it. No other part of it is fixed to anything, and it has become a ...
jay613's user avatar
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4 votes
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Is there a way to extend electrical wire where the splices can be finished over? [duplicate]

I want to extend some wires to relocate some switches. Normally one might do this by splicing new wires in and covering the junction box with a cover plate. Is there a way to permanently splice wires ...
John's user avatar
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5 answers
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Does NEC require junction boxes to be accessible without tools?

I’ve seen a few posts here – including one on a question I asked yesterday – that say junction boxes and the like need to be accessible without tools. The “without tools” requirement is clear in the ...
trawson's user avatar
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2 answers
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How does one typically do "Old Work" with metal junction boxes?

I am trying to add a light fixture to a room. I have access to the studs in the wall (new wall being added to the room), but the ceiling is drywalled. There is no attic access. Unfortunately, the ...
MarkD's user avatar
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3 votes
3 answers
2k views

Adding wires to EMT conduit to add circuits

unfortunately, the kitchen wiring in our new condo is severely outdated. Just two circuits; one 15amp for lights and one 20amp for fridge, microwave, gas stove and oven, garbage disposal, dishwasher ...
user2503795's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
7k views

Remove old ceiling pancake (pan) junction box, or how to work around bolt in that box?

I'm having a difficult time removing an existing ceiling junction box/pan. There was a nut holding the bolt in the center. I thought the nut was holding the box in place, but even with the nut gone ...
Will Haley's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
18k views

Connecting Three 12 Gauge Wires

When I purchased our house the previous owners recently installed electric baseboard heaters in rooms A, B and C. I did not want to keep these but needed more outlets so I had swapped the breaker at ...
Steve Salowitz's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
5k views

Can I install a device transformer in a junction box to keep it behind the wall surface?

I'm in Oregon, USA, and trying to figure out a code-compliant way of hiding a wall wart (AC/DC transformer) behind a small device (about 3"x3"; if it matters, the specific device is a smart garage ...
Nick2253's user avatar
  • 123
2 votes
1 answer
5k views

Can I install junction boxes in a closet, and if so, what kind of box?

We are designing circuit runs for a ground floor of a house flooded by a hurricane and it is best to use a few junction boxes to run the circuit branches. One reason for the junction boxes is to keep ...
user11933's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
10k views

Can you mount a plastic junction box to metal studs?

Inspired by this answer Forget about plastic boxes, they are a wild misfit. They are generally kitted up to nail to wood joists. Can't nail to a steel joist. For a standard "new work" box, I ...
Machavity's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
1k views

How should large, stranded ground conductors be connected to metal junction boxes?

Say I have a #6/3 cable being spliced in a metal junction box. How would the (presumably stranded #8) ground wire be connected to the box?
isherwood's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
7k views

How to wire up a 240 V oven?

I recently purchased a Whirlpool WOS51ES4ES electric oven from Home Depot with the intention of installing it myself. Our old oven is gas, so I need to run a new 240 circuit. The oven draws 20A. I ...
rothloup's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
3k views

How should I connect a grounding wire from a device to this box?

I'm replacing this simple 2-connector light switch with a 4-wire dimmer. The 2 new wires present on the dimmer are neutral and ground, and only neutral has an obvious home. The box has no visible ...
shannon's user avatar
  • 123
1 vote
1 answer
91 views

Junction box from main to subpanel - what to do?

I am doing a DIY 400A service upgrade and I would like to get some vetting on my work before the utility connects it and the city inspects it. The meter/main combo is outside behind this wall of the ...
Alessio Sangalli's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
309 views

Garage wiring puzzle

I'm trying to figure out the wiring in my finished garage. It has two ceiling junction boxes, with attached porcelain lights, and three wall outlets. I'll say up front that all of this was done ...
Mike's user avatar
  • 266
1 vote
1 answer
465 views

Box fill calculation example

I have seen a few examples on here of boxfill calculations but not one where the box is directly attached to a light. So if possible please verify if these calculations are correct: 3 14/2 nm romex ...
Irish Redneck's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
3k views

How do I disconnect a garbage disposal from a junction box? What to do with loose wires?

I just removed part of our cabinet during demo and our kitchen has a hardwired garbage disposal to a junction box on the wall. I want to disconnect my disposal during demo and save it for reuse in ...
milesmeow's user avatar
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0 votes
2 answers
115 views

Box fill calculations for a light switch in a Carlon old work box

I thought I got the box fill calculations right but there must be an issue, still. Because, assuming my calculations are correct, no single box on the market would be large enough for a simple light ...
divB's user avatar
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0 votes
2 answers
1k views

Pros and cons to "new work" box vs junction box with mud ring in new construction

Putting drywall on studs, I can add switches and outlets using New Work boxes that stick out from the studs or I can use a plain junction box and add mud rings. Are there any pros or cons? For me, ...
jay613's user avatar
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0 votes
5 answers
24k views

Mount Ceiling Fan to Old Junction Box?

Is there anyway to safely mount a ceiling fan to this type of older ceiling junction box (see the photos)? I rent an old 1920's built house where an old hanging light fixture junction box was covered ...
Matt M.'s user avatar