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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.

16 votes
3 answers
86k views

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
16 votes
6 answers
144k views

In a multi-gang box, are neutral wires paired with specific hot wires?

I have a four-gang box that I'm installing new dimmers in. Currently all of the neutral (white) wires coming into the box are connected together (and not to the dimmers). The new dimmers require ...
drs's user avatar
  • 583
14 votes
5 answers
5k 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 ...
KJ7LNW's user avatar
  • 1,205
14 votes
5 answers
16k views

Are these pigtails inside the panel and outside a junction box allowed?

I am concerned about a newer electrical panel's installation, where one of the older load wires, at the main electrical panel, appear to be shorter in length, appear not reaching the desired circuit ...
H1991's user avatar
  • 707
14 votes
3 answers
108k views

What is the proper way to install a junction box above a dropped ceiling?

I'm doing some remodeling in my basement and part of that work involves moving a switch. When I was tracing the wires for the switch I found this above my dropped ceiling: Now, I'm no electrician, ...
heavyd's user avatar
  • 335
12 votes
2 answers
7k views

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
  • 1,272
12 votes
7 answers
6k views

Outlet screwed directly into stud

I was replacing old outlet in my house and came across an outlet that is screwed directly into the studs. Also the stud and the junction box were cut to fit the outlet. The new outlet is too big to ...
mkuce23's user avatar
  • 131
12 votes
2 answers
2k views

Does NEC allow a metal box to carry the ground connection between separate conductors?

I found this box: You can see that most of the conductors have their grounds crimped together in the deep part of the box. A box extension was added to this at some point, so it is rather deep, but ...
Ryan Mortensen's user avatar
11 votes
1 answer
2k views

What is / was the purpose of these old openable-cover junction boxes?

1940s apartment in New York City. It has two of these junction boxes high up on the wall (just below ceiling level). We're in the process of planning remodeling and I'd like to just understand what ...
StayOnTarget's user avatar
  • 5,605
11 votes
3 answers
8k views

How can I install a ceiling fan that needs a 4" box where I only have a 3" box?

As part of a home renovation project I discarded my old ceiling fan and have bought a new one. When installing the new one the electrician tells me that I have a 3" junction box and that I'll need a 4"...
FanInstall's user avatar
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 ...
Bill's user avatar
  • 101
10 votes
4 answers
4k views

What is this "loose faceplate ring" and is it something that should be fixed?

I was hoping to replace an old yellow faceplate for a coaxial connection with a nicer white one, but when I took off the faceplate I was greeted with this sight: I can only imagine that the cable ...
brubsby's user avatar
  • 317
10 votes
5 answers
28k views

"Old Work" electrical box: should it be screwed into the stud?

I'm interested in replacing an existing outlet (in a wall that's finished with drywall) with a two-gang duplex (four outlets total), using an "old work" box. This box is located in the ...
whiskeychief's user avatar
10 votes
5 answers
10k views

Removing knockouts in old work metal boxes

I recently had an existing old work box (metallic, installed with the supports that look like 'F') where there was a cable coming in from the top and another from the bottom. I wanted to add a third ...
David Doria's user avatar
10 votes
4 answers
26k views

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

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