Installing a junction box?

Question

We have knocked out a couple of walls in our kitchen to have an open concept, we need to make the wire on our electrical outlet longer so we can move it over and have it in a post instead of the location it was before we knocked out the wall, so we need to add more wire and install a junction box, I've been trying to find a good website that will show us exactly how to install a junction box, but haven't found any, can someone explain to us how to do this, or give me a website I can go to?
Thank you in advance!

Answer 1

This is the easiest of all electrical work.

Find a suitable location for a standard box that your existing wire reaches. If it was in a removed wall, that may be another existing outlet on the same circuit in an adjacent wall that was not removed, or a stud that the wire reaches as a new box location. Just trace the wire back.

Run an extension from that point to your new location.
Add a new box there if needed.
Connect the new wires to the old, matching colors (black to black, etc).
Put a solid cover over the box, which allows access to wire splices in the future if needed. (code requires it)

Answer 2

Junction boxes are nothing more than an electrical box, with a cover, where wires are joined. It may be the same kind of box your outlet is in, except you use a blank cover instead of the outlet. The wires may be joined by wire nuts -- black to black, white to white, bare copper to bare copper. The hard part is that the National Electrical Code requires the junction box to be attached to something solid and be accessible. It is often difficult to find a place to put the junction box where someone can access the wire connections after construction is over.

The best solution is to replace the short wire from the last connection. Usually at an outlet box, light switch box or lighting fixture box. If that is not easily done, then I would try to locate the junction box in an attic or basement. If those are not available, then you will have to install the junction box inside a wall somehow, with a cover or door that gives access to the wiring junction.

Answer 3

First make sure the power is off! If the receptacle is still connected plug in a lamp then shut off the breakers (remove the fuses) one at a time until the lamp goes out. You will need an octagon box and cover. These are available at any hardware store. Purchase the type with internal cable clamps. You will probably want to recess this box in the drywall of the ceiling, there are special boxes with wings for this. Just ask for winged octagon box with cable clamps. The front edge of the box should be flush with the finished drywall. Cut off the old wire (receptacle) leaving enough wire so that you can have at least 6" inside the octagon box. This box MUST be mounted in such a way that it is accessible without removing any wall, ceiling or floor coverings such as drywall, carpet and wall paper. I would suggest you use a "fancy" blank cover if it will be exposed in the new kitchen. Add the new wire (6" minimum) into the octagon box and extend it to the new location. Re install the original box if it is in good condition or replace it with a new box of the same type. Connections - Both the ground (bare wires) go to the large head screws in the back of the octagon box. Twist the blacks together then screw on a solderless connector (marrette) and tighten with a pair of plyers. Connect the whites together and secure with a solderless wire connector. The receptacle is next. Flush mount the device box (receptacle box) by nailing it to the stud and allow 1/2" to protrude out from the wall stud. This allows for 1/2" drywall. After drywalling is complete connect the receptacle. Black to the tinted screw. White to the silver coloured screw. Now for the important part. This wire should have the outer covering stripped back 8" not 6" as you do in an octagon box. The bare ground now passes under the ground screw in the back of the device box then, uncut, goes to the green ground screw on the receptacle. This is very important. Finally, when you have installed all the covers and the receptacle turn the circuit back on. Note: the black wire is connected to the short slot on the receptacle, the white goes to the long slot. Be careful. If you have any doubts call a qualified electrician.

Answer 4

If you can not do such a basic electrical job as this you should not be doing electrical work. I apologize for condescending ,but you could get hurt. Why not call a handyman or electrician for a few bucks. Good luck.

Answer 5

if your going to make a splice use a 4 square box, put it in the attic or basement(if it`s accessable). a box exposed is not nice to see