Electrical. I need to extend an existing wire...best way??

Question

Hi,
I have an exisiting light switch for a light in my back yard. During my remodel, I had to move the light from it present location, over about 2 feet. My problem is that the existing wire is 2 feet too short. If I take it out, it is going to lead to alot of damage to my interior wall. I was wondering if I could put a juction box, and add 2 feet of wire, to get the wire to its new location. However, if I do add a box, it will be behind the wallboard, and there will be no access to it. Is this OK? or is there a better solution? I really do not want to destroy the existing wall...

Thanks for your time,
pb4sc

Answer 1

ok...CODE violation for burying any type of box per NEC fire and electrical codes...
either...make access door over box or forget box...
Or: rewire totally
Or: buy wiremold type box that is nicer to look at and use that and leave box on wall so you see it

Answer 2

Pat From Ohio is correct! Covering connected wires without access is not only just a fire hazzard, but foolish. Even if you 'think' you will never have to access it again, there are conditions when you have to. Not to mention, if you were ever to sell the house, the new owner wouldn't have a clue it is there. No matter how 'tight' the wire nuts are, a short is always possible. Down the road someone else could replace the existing breaker with the wrong one and POOF! The 'hidden' connection burns up. Though it may not even cause any potential fire hazzard, trying to trace your short could be impossible if you don't know exactly where it is. They make many types of 'faux' (fake swiches, etc.) covers that you could use over the junction box. Do not put it behind the drywall or any other wallboard. Use your imagination as to how to make it a part of the scheme! Please use a junction box! If not for your own safety, how about the folks next door? Or the pets left alone that day!
Good Luck!

Answer 3

I've been in the business for 10 years and the correct answer is never cover a J box with wall board if you don't want a blank cover on your wall run a new wire it isn't that hard. Turn of the breaker then remove the wires from the switch then tie a strong string around both wires and pull it out at the junction box the use the string to pull it back through. Email if you need more help [e-mail]

Answer 4

A junction box that cannot be accessed is not okay, it's a fire hazard. A little drywall work is much better than the possibility of a fire.
You could use the existing switch box as a junction and put a blank cover plate (like a switch cover with no hole) on it or figure out how to pull a new wire.

(Don't try finding a wire-stretcher, they don't exist.)

Answer 5

I would never buy an extended warranty, they are a complete rip-off. If you read the small print they do not cover anything that might go wrong in a year or two anyway. Same goes for the 'warranties' you can buy from second hand car sales places. Last car I bought, the salesman got quite aggressive when I refused the warranty and told him it was a load of rubbish. The only things it covered were like 'total failure of the drive chain and major componants'. If that failed on a 4 year old car I'd be expecting the manufacturer to cover it anyway! If it hadn't been written off...

Answer 6

I have reviewed all these answers and some are ok, but some a little shaky. The best one is the one is the one that has you pulling new wires, they make a newer wire, which is easier to pull. If you are still concerned about it, I would get a licensed electrician to help you, better a little time and $ than sorry later

Answer 7

It is against the electrical code to ''bury'' a j-box. One solution, if the switch is on an ''outside wall'', would be to cut in a single gang box facing outside. Make your splice and continue to your new switch location. Just install a blank cover on the outside box and you'll probably never notice it again.

Answer 8

Unfortunately the junction box would need to be accessible. Could you install an access panel since you'll need to open up the wall anyhow?
And yes, the junction box would be your only option.
Good luck

Answer 9

you have to do the lesser of two evils, fix it the way you want it or do with out
If you add the J box make very good connections becuz you will never come back to this J box again .it is not right to not have access but if you make good connection twist the wires wire nut and tape never to return
But if your light or what ever goes out , don;t for get about that box

Answer 10

That should be perfectly fine. As long as you put it in correctly, put the wire nuts on good and tight and wrap them in some electrical tape, make sure the box is covered properly, there should be no real reason to ever have to access the box again.

Answer 11

YES THIS CAN BE DONE THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT U WILL HAVE A ELEC BOX WITH A CLOSES COVER ON IT. EXTEND TO WERE U WANT, WIRENUT THE EXISTING WIRES WITH THE EXTENSION WIRE TO NEW BOX. SOMETIMES IN REMODEL THIS HAS TO BE DONE. THE PERFECT IS CALLED RUNNING A NEW HOME RUN WIRE FROM YOUR BREAKER BOX TO ITS NEW LOCATION.