Electrical wiring question

Richard · Feb 16, 2005

2 part setup before the question

Attached is a pic our new fireplace in bedroom. There is a lamp on top of it that NOW, after it's 99% done, the wife decides she wants an outlet for. the outlet is to be ABOVE the mantle on the right side wall, next to the lamp. This way the lap can be as you see it, with a plug nearby.

Richard · Feb 16, 2005

Ironically, the closest plug is INSIDE the closet /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif True.

As you can see the outlet is on the wall to the right. Look to the left you will see the corner and a wall on the left.

The wall on the left, has the fireplace on the opposite side.

Sooooooo, I told the wifey I see it this way, two scenarios

1. We can work inside the closet, punch a hole in BOTH sides of the wall so we can gain access to the line and tie the "fireplace outlet" to the line. We then patch up the drywall and repaint the closet.

Scenario 2

Cut a hole for box by fireplace. On the inside of the closet (the left wall) cut a hole at the BOTTOM of the wall. Slide a properly sized extension cord inside the wall in the closet. Run the female end up the wall and clip the end. Wire the female end to an electrical box. Duck back inside the closet and either use condit or the U shaped things you lock wire down with, and simply plug the other end of the "outlet wire" into the receptical that's inside the closet.

I know the second idea is more of a rig job (more of? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif) but I'm not sure I see any inherent danger since all that would be used is the light you are looking at.

oK, let me have your thoughts

(be semi-nice)

/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Inspector507 · Feb 16, 2005

Slide a properly sized extension cord inside the wall in the closet. Run the female end up the wall and clip the end 

You do THAT and I'll come down and visit you /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The first option would be best. Do all splicing inside an accesible box

GRUMPA · Feb 16, 2005

OK here's what I've done numerous times in the past. All (most) homes have attics. All interior walls in homes that I know of and have done this to don't have any insulation or fireblocks in them. If your dead set on adding a plug by "tapping" into the closet outlet I would do the following. From inside the attic I would locate the sill to the wall (2x4) sometimes this is hard so what I did was to take a metal coat hanger (making it straight: kinda making a long poker out of it) and where the wall socket (closet) is go straight up and poke that now straight hanger thru where the ceiling and wall meet and push it thru halfway. That way when in the attic you know EXACTLY from the attic where the existing socket is and drill a 5/8" hole thru the sill plate, that hole should now be directly over the plug.

Do the exact same thing (with a coat hanger) to the ceiling where you want to put the new plug in. Again you will have a sill plate. Now if where that fireplace is "IF" thats an exterior wall you'll have insulation in there and more than likely fire blocks, IF it isn't an exterior wall then proceed. Get yourself from a hardware store a thing called a cut in box, it's very specific for what it does, cut the square hole in the wall but don't but the box in yet.Now back to the closet, I would remove the plug entirely and punch a hole in the back of the single gang box about the size of a quarter. Back in attic I would run a piece of 14-2 romex down the first hole I drilled to the single gang box and have someone fish that wire thru that hole you just made and pull it out about 1'. With the other end of the 14-2 romex from the attic of course shove it thru the second hole to the square hole.

After the time consuming part is over wiring it up after the wire is run is a snap.

Richard · Feb 16, 2005

( You do THAT and I'll come down and visit you

The first option would be best. Do all splicing inside an accesible box )

I just knew I'd not get this one past you without getting slapped into next week lol

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Junkman · Feb 16, 2005

(
You do THAT and I'll come down and visit you /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )

Heck..... I can't think of anything better..... having the electrical inspector come for a visit and do the work...... Put my name on the next road trip East.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

JDgreen227 · Feb 17, 2005

"Back in the attic I would run a piece of 14-2 romex down"....

Got a query for the electrical experts here....when I wired my addition I used 12-2 wire and 20 amp breakers everyplace instead of the code-permitted 14-2 and 15 amp breakers for general lighting circuits.

I'm wondering just how safe is it to add 14-2 into a circuit that uses 12-2 wire and a 20 amp breaker...I was recently adding eight ceiling fixtures to my basement and thought about using 14-2 wire as the lights only drew one amp each.
However, I used 12-2...was that overkill?

BB_TX · Feb 17, 2005

You did right. The wire needs to be sized for the breaker, not the load, so that the wire does not overheat. Although, obviously the wire inside the fan housing is not 12 ga. So running that off a 20 amp circuit may be questionable. Inspector???

Inspector507 · Feb 17, 2005

If it was on a 20 Amp breaker, you have to use 12. You cannot use some 14 on the circuit. It's only rated for use at 15 Amp

BB_TX · Feb 17, 2005

Inspector - I have always wondered about prewired fan and light fixtures that have small wires pigtailed out to be wire nutted to a 12 or 14 ga circuit. Does the CODE address that? Some of those wires appear to be 18 or less.