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.
434
questions
6
votes
3
answers
944
views
What is this exterior electrical box and how do I cover it properly?
I'm the new owner of a 1956 Southern California home and discovered this curious plate on the stucco exterior:
It's above, and to the left of the front door. There is a working sconce mounted above ...
- 215
1
vote
1
answer
56
views
Can I fix a 1-gang steel box at the bottom onto a horizontal beam with a spacer?
Usually metal boxes are attached to vertical beams ("studs") in the wall. I have an opening in a lath & plaster wall with a horizontal beam just about 1/2"-1" underneath the ...
- 676
2
votes
1
answer
186
views
Variable spacer for mounting metal boxes in old work
Every other answer to a question that involves electrical boxes references the advantage of metal boxes over plastic (old work) boxes. It is claimed that they are very flexible to mount but I don’t ...
- 676
2
votes
1
answer
95
views
Why are the box fill on Carlon boxes inconsistent/wrong?
This is a side question to Box fill calculations for a light switch in a Carlon old work box because I realized what is written on the Carlon old work boxes is possibly wrong or at least inconsistent.
...
- 676
0
votes
1
answer
38
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 ...
- 676
0
votes
2
answers
74
views
Most future-proof j-box/light for closet
I have a normal, small closet (approximately 46”x24”).
I am doing electrical work and on that occasion I’d like to add some light to the closet.
I was thinking just adding a normal j-box (e.g. Carlon ...
- 676
0
votes
1
answer
101
views
How to remove this pancake box?
I know this is a well-trodden question here, but, as per usual, there doesn't seem to be an exact example of the particular fixture that's been previously asked.
I'm trying to install a ceiling fan ...
4
votes
3
answers
196
views
My electrician left a spliced cable outside a junction box. How big a deal is this?
I'm having some electrical work done to run existing lines through the joists so we can hang drywall on the ceiling. Some of the existing cable runs were too short so the electrician added a larger ...
- 51
10
votes
4
answers
3k
views
What is the proper way to remove a receptacle from a wall?
What is code or proper way to remove a plug receptacle from a wall?
If the plug has 2 black wires and 2 white wires, can the respective wires be connected together with wire nuts and tape then pushed ...
- 101
0
votes
0
answers
41
views
Stripped screw on fiberglass electrical box
I made the never-again mistake of using a few fiberglass electrical gang boxes on my recent remodel. It seemed like fiberglass would be better than the plastic boxes, but I learned my lesson there, I ...
- 163
2
votes
1
answer
386
views
Add Junction Box for Double Oven
California house built in the 1960s. Here's the existing junction box for the ovens. Ovens are busted and needed to be replaced
Right away, I am confused:
Red looks like 8 AWG
Black, White look ...
- 145
0
votes
0
answers
24
views
Hanging light from pancake junction box
I’ve been slowly replacing the light fixtures in my home, and each one is completely unique (the joys of owning an old home).
I’m not seeing a spot to mount the crossbar on my new fixture to in the ...
- 1
1
vote
2
answers
85
views
50 Amp plug but 30 amp breaker
I have a plasma cutter which can have 35 amps of 220 draw. The factory plug is NEMA rated for 50 amps, 220V single phase. My circuit is rated for 30 amps. I never intend to go above 30 amps when ...
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
49
views
Can you wire something in parallel to a light switch?
I’m looking to wire a Ring motion camera to the roof overhanging my garage to replace my old Ethernet driven camera. The easiest access wire that I can see is attached to a switch in the attic.
I don’...
- 123
1
vote
2
answers
47
views
What is the right box fill for my 1x30A circuit and 2x20A circuit case?
Box fill calculations are so frustratingly ambiguous and confusing. I have the following setup:
A 30A dryer circuit along with 2x20A circuits comes via FMC from panel
The dryer (3x8AWG) passes ...
- 676
3
votes
3
answers
275
views
Which small (1-gang) surface mount box is code compliant with NEMA 14-30R receptacle?
I would like to install this NEMA 14-30R in a surface mount single gang box for my dryer.
Can I put it into this box?
The box has 19 cu-in.
I am not proficient with fill calculations but 3x10AWG + ...
- 676
1
vote
0
answers
165
views
How do I mount a junction box behind a vinyl mounting block?
What type of box do I use to get the junction box flush with the mounting block?
- 3,714
0
votes
0
answers
60
views
Which old work ceiling box?
I need to replace the ceiling box for a light (old work). The issue is that it is an old home with lath and plaster ceiling and drywall added later on top. The hole is right next to a beam. It looks ...
- 676
0
votes
2
answers
88
views
Stapling cable inside of a box when there is no room
There are rules that Romex cable has to be stapled within a foot or so from the electrical box. However, there is an exception when doing rewiring (because wall is not open).
I am rewiring from knob-...
- 676
0
votes
1
answer
61
views
Old ceiling junction box - no weight rating - can it hold ceiling fan?
I rent an apartment in an old building, likely 1920s. I would like to replace the ceiling light in our bedroom with a fan. The junction box has no weight rating on it, and seems so old that I’m afraid ...
1
vote
0
answers
74
views
Can I put a metal junction box on the side of a joist and run a cable across the face to the other side?
I would like to install a junction box with two incoming circuits via FMC, one outgoing FMC (clothes dryer) and one outgoing as NM-B (washer).
The junction box should go onto the ceiling of an ...
- 676
5
votes
1
answer
328
views
NEC 250.148: Can I splice separate circuit grounding wires to a junction box's grouding wire, resulting in a single grounding wire exiting the box?
Working on my first electrical project (laundry room conversion), so all of this is new to me.
I'm splicing one 20A and one 30A circuit within a steel junction box to transfer from NM-B to THWN-2 for ...
- 53
0
votes
1
answer
273
views
Securing a junction box to an exterior brick wall
I was replacing an external wall sconce, and noticed that this octagonal junction box doesn't seem to be affixed to the brick wall around it. There's no visible nails, screws, mortar, etc. around it.
...
- 181
0
votes
1
answer
405
views
1 gang box fill capacity/size for receptacal and two 12/2 Romex & pigtales
I am installing a receptacle in a confined space inside some custom cabinetry, so I need to use the smallest (with respect to depth) box I can that still meets code. This is a remodel so the wire ...
1
vote
2
answers
75
views
Sanity check: wire count and wire nuts
I've got a box where
NMC comes in and hits a GFCI
GFCI feeds both one NMC going out (shop outlets) and a smart switch.
Smart switch feeds NMC going out (exterior outlet). Everything is correctly sized ...
- 27.5k
3
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What is the appropriate use for these metal gang box faceplates?
What is the purpose of this type of metal faceplate?
How is it intended to be used?
- 145
0
votes
1
answer
59
views
Do I have to replace junction box to replace outside 4” ultra thin led lights?
I got 4” Led lights outside my home. I have 6 lights out and I am having a hard time find the right connectors for jbox. I need 3 male connectors for jbox but can’t seem to find. Is this possible or ...
1
vote
1
answer
69
views
Best practice for wiring THHN circuit wires transiting intermediate junction boxes?
I'll be running some new circuits inside my unfinished attached garage in order to provide some new outlets on the other side of the garage. EMT conduit will run about 20' along one wall, then turn 90 ...
- 4,356
0
votes
1
answer
103
views
Junction box has screws 2 3/4" apart but fixture needs 3 1/2" [closed]
This is similar to question asked back in 2017. No good answers other than original poster said electrician figure it out. Wondering what it costs. Are we looking at replacing junction box which would ...
- 1
3
votes
1
answer
590
views
Installing a ceiling fan on an aluminum structure patio cover
I need some guidance on how to securely install a ceiling fan on my aluminum structure patio cover with an acrylic roof. I have a double-walled beam (attached image for reference) where I would like ...
3
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Hard-Wiring Sprinkler Controller(s) Into Junction Box
So I want to install an irrigation system in my garden. I am starting with one controller but there may be more. I was told, rather than install an in-use outlet, where bugs and spiders etc will hang ...
- 739
0
votes
1
answer
68
views
Grounding Frigidaire 27 inch double wall oven (junction box)
Installing Frigidaire 27 inch double wall oven that has a whip with insulated ground. Ran new 8/3 Romex from breaker box to oven that has bare ground.
Frigidaire instructions say to connect both ...
- 1
3
votes
1
answer
525
views
How do I mount a power distribution block inside a NEMA 1 pull box?
I want to splice 6/3 wires into multiple 6/3(or 8/3) wires at my home.
I read answers here and decided to use power distribution blocks. This is what I bought (Mersen MPDB62163).
I never mounted a PDB ...
- 31
3
votes
1
answer
65
views
New lights turn on very dim
I recently installed 2 wafer lights in an existing wiring system. The house is from the 70s, I'm not sure how old the wiring is.
I initially had 2 canned lights. I removed one of them as it had rusted ...
- 31
3
votes
1
answer
192
views
How to secure bonding lug to inside of 4x4 steel junction box?
I'm running some 6 ga armored bare copper wire through the attic spaces as a "grounding bus" for retrofitting grounds to various 1960s-era 2-prong receptacles. This will involve wire ...
- 4,356
3
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What's the preferred method for connecting #8 wires in a junction box?
I have several floor joists in my basement that need to be sistered up but unfortunately the 8 gauge wire that powers the AC compressor runs diagonally through all of them. Disconnecting it from the ...
- 141
2
votes
1
answer
2k
views
This 1950s metal box was ungrounded so I added a ground line. Do I need that if the wires are GFCI protected?
I have replaced all old outlets with existing wiring (no ground) on 20 amp circuits in 1950 home with new tamper resistant 20 amp decora outlets.
Before doing this I had an electrician trace for ...
- 41
-1
votes
2
answers
220
views
Do I need to replace #14 wire on a 20A breaker in my garage? [duplicate]
Should I replace the 14/2 wire in my garage that powers two 15A outlets?
These junction off of a 12/2 main line that also powers outlets for garage door motor, plug in overhead LED lighting, and ...
- 1
3
votes
1
answer
322
views
Can I repair NM-B sheath stripped outside junction box?
This question confirms that the Romex™ (or NM-B) is supposed to come 1/4" into the box. The prior owner had a box installed and the NM-B sheath was stripped back and does not reach the junction ...
- 133
14
votes
5
answers
3k
views
How do you mount conduit to a wall so that it stands off a standard box distance?
I'm running 1/2" EMT conduit between single-gang surface-mount boxes. The holes for the boxes are slightly set away from the wall so that the conduit does not mount flush against the wall. I have ...
- 1,045
0
votes
0
answers
129
views
How do I install a new light fixture to this old exterior junction box?
I have a large exterior junction box for front porch 1953 addition. Trying to install a new LED flush mount light fixture. Nowhere to put a metal bar to hold the light fixture up due to the box being ...
- 1
2
votes
1
answer
73
views
Seeking ideas on how best to splice+move breakers from one panel to adjacent panel
As the title says, I need to move (per my new load calcs after changes were made) three of the bottom breakers on the left panel, over to the right panel. However, the wires do not have enough slack ...
- 167
4
votes
3
answers
610
views
Can I use a double-gang switch box on the edge of a stairway opening stud?
I replaced the single-gang switch box on this basement stairwell stud with a double-gang (shown) so I could add a second switch. I also plan to upgrade the conduit from 1/2 to 3/4” so it’s not ...
- 171
2
votes
3
answers
670
views
How do I hang a device on this saddle box?
I'm installing a pair of vanity lights in our new bathroom. One of them, conveniently, needs to mount directly over a stud which precludes installing a regular octagon box. Instead, I'll have to use a ...
- 43.1k
1
vote
1
answer
398
views
When do I install mud-rings?
Following the advice I've received here, I'm doing all my new-work wiring in deep, 4" square, metal boxes, and I'll be placing single- or double-gang mud rings on them for mounting devices.
I ...
- 43.1k
9
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Are there drawbacks to plastic conduit fittings?
There are, to my knowledge (if there are other types, I'd appreciate being educated about them), three different kinds of NM-B cable clamps that go into a knockout in a junction box:
The "...
- 43.1k
3
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Should there be a junction box for each outlet?
I want to install external outlets to my attic. The wiring will be in conduit.
Is it better to have a junction box for each outlet as illustrated below as A, or is there a simple solution to avoid ...
- 145
1
vote
0
answers
33
views
How to connect an outdoor-rated single gang jbox to an outdoor-rated "main lug" box?
I want to attach a 120V outlet to the side of an outdoor "main lug" enclosure.
The outdoor-rated "main lug" box has knockouts on the bottom and sides.
The outdoor-rated single gang ...
- 21
0
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Box sticking out of ceiling. Will round shallow box fit?
I am updating a light fixture. It appears to be a 4 inch rounded square 1 1/4 inch box in the ceiling sticking out about 3/4 of an inch.
This will not work with the new fixture and bracket. Will a 4 ...
- 31
2
votes
2
answers
129
views
Will conduit fill rules allow 2 4ga bare copper ground wires in a single 1/2 inch liquidtite pvc flexible conduit run?
Background and configuration:
I am providing mechanical protection and neatness for a 4ga grounding electrode conductor and a 2nd 4ga auxiliary grounding conductor running from outdoors into (and ...
- 4,356