"Toller" wrote in message
...
I want to put up a new fluorescent fixture in my basement. Right where I
would put a box for an outlet, there is a cable for an appropriate
circuit.

The circuit was put in pretty sloppily, so I was able to get 4" of slack
right where the new box would go. Is that likely to be enough wire to add
an outlet? Seems adequate, but I don't want to cut it up and find I
needed
5".

If it turns out not to be enough, I would have to either put in a junction
box to add some wire, or pull out the last 10' of cable and replace it
with
an 11' cable. That would be a lot of work since it all passes through
floor
joists, but it would save a junction box. Is it worth it?


Sounds like I am going to be the only dissenting opinion.

I believe you will find that the slack mentioned will be painfully short
when it comes to working with the wires. I can not see it; 2 inches per
side is not really a lot to work with. I will concede that you might get
another couple of inches for a box depending on what you install. Now your
up to maybe 4 inches per side.

Alternate thought.
Some lighting fixtures are rated for a junction box, some are not. If you
were to install a 4 foot fixture that was rated as a junction box you would
not need to install one. Come in on one end and out the other.