On Tuesday, February 11, 2014 8:10:01 AM UTC-5, wrote:
On Monday, February 10, 2014 7:37:45 AM UTC-6, wrote:
I am trying to add a few GFI outlets to my wife's bathroom. I also have to move one of the outlets because of a larger mirror that I will be installing to make wife and daughter happy.
The problem is, I know it is against code to put a junction box inside the wall. And I think leaving it outside will cause my framed mirror to not sit flat.
I spent all weekend trying to track down wires. I figured out the entire breaker is dedicated to the bathroom GFI's only. I have only 3 outlets currently on this entire 20 amp circuit.
The power goes to the outlet I want to move from above in the attic. However, from this outlet it goes to two other bathrooms and I cant find the wires that branch the outlets together. I am guessing it is through the studs when they built the house and as such, they may be inaccessible or if they do go into the attic are covered under the floor of my bonus room to which I have no access because the bonus room is finished.
As I see it I have two options:
1. somehow leave the current outlet and make it into a junction box and somehow recess a new box so that the access cover would be flush with the wall. Then run a wire from this box into the crawl space then to the two new outlets in the bathroom.
2. Maybe more work but a more proper solution would be to install a junction box in the attic where the current feed is to the existing outlet, run a wire from this junction box down the entire length of the wall into the crawl space. Install another junction box in the crawl space and make the connection to the new outlets here. I would also have to run new wires from the two other outlets in the two other bathrooms into the crawl space to tie into the junction box. (Doing it this way requires new wiring on the entire circuit but eliminates an accessible junction box being required in the wall).
One thing I wondered. This is a GFI circuit. The breaker is not GFI but the outlets are. If I have connections in the crawl space where sometimes there is a little moisture after a lot of rain, will I have trouble with the GFI tripping? My idea would be to use one of those outside metal moisture proof boxes but just run regular 12/2 wire to this junction. Would using conduit to this junction be a better idea?
Any help is appreciated!
Is it code compliant to run romex in conduit? Is it proper to do? Just trying to make the installation as protected as possible. Nothing should happen but I have a lot of moisture in the crawlspace. More than should be. My duct work is dripping wet in the summer. I need to figure out something on that.
Yes and no.
AFAIK, you can run romex in conduit as long as it's
a dry location. Romex however is not rated for wet, whether in a conduit
or not. However, I doubt the joist area of your crawlspace qualifies
as a wet location. If it does, you have bigger problems. The moisture
you're seeing on ducts in the summer I presume is condensation with
the AC running? Are the ducts insulated? Wire going anywhere near
them?
The other alternative I guess would be to run UF cable. But I
don't see the need and it would probably stand out and attract attention
during any inspections.
Also, a lot of large city's require nothing but metal conduit and don't even allow romex. Is EMT with individual wires inside the ultimate installation in terms od longevity and protection?
Depends. Conduit offers great protection from physical damage.
If you're running wire down an exposed garage wall for example.
But romex is used in millions of homes and when used correctly
is perfectly safe. Is there any existing wire in the crawlspace now?
It's what you'd expect to find there.
Just wondering. I tend to overthink/overbuild stuff when I do it.