Thread: Electrical help or suggestions.....DIY

I have an electrical question about outlets.
Right now we are doing a little renovation in our kitchen, installing a pantry. Behind where the pantry is going to be placed is an electrical plug/ outlet. We are wanting to move it 18 inches so that the outlet is still usable right beside the pantry. I know the existing power cables are not long enough to be moved to the new location. I would have to connect a new line from the old outlet to the new electrical outlet. When I go to connect these lines, what is code for it? Can we leave the old electrical box there and just connect the wires? Do I need to install a junction box? I am guessing it will need to be accessible from inside the pantry?

We pretty much have everything we need to do this, just wanting a pros advice on what to and what is legal here in Canada...or maybe North America.

Thanks in advance!

Well in Canada the provinces govern electrical. In BC and Alberta you can cut a hole in the back of your pantry unit and use the existing box as a junction, so a blank plate goes goes it, not an outlet. The box is then used to jump your power to where you want it. You cannot hide or build in front of a junction box, it need to be accessible and inside the cupboard or attic is considered access. Of course the other thing you can do is take all the wires up in to the attic and put a junction box above the isolation and the fish the wires down for you outlets.

Thanks Shaun...... We'll cut an opening in the back of the pantry so access is there. No attic area above our kitchen. We have a 1/2 story house....... 2 bedrooms upstairs, and I'm not about to go ripping the floor.....lol

Mucho thanks!

Be sure to use a box extension!

Yep...... We got that.
New curve ball in this equation now.......
There are 4 wires in the old box.......so adding the 2 new ones....we got 6 wires to connect together......
Using the marrettes to connect them is now not an option...... I don't think the ones I have will hold 3 wires in each together.......
Ill need to get some push in connectors I think that will do 6 wires.

Get a larger junction and recess it into the wall. 2in^3 per wire= 12 cubic inches. A double gangway box would cover this. No plate. Then extend the wires with EMT conduit to a new outlet box- make sure that you size the conduit appropriately so that no mare than ~33% of the space is occupied by wires- they need to be able to move, also don't pull them tight, leave slack. They are supposed to be able to move out of the way in case somebody goes Wyatt earp with a screw gun. Should be 14 AWG THNN SOL at least for 15 amps at 50'- if your over that than that you should consider fishing 12g through the old lines. Is what I would do. Some local (most) codes require that the breaker be independent of appliances and lighting, and it's just common sense except for in smaller homes- then debatable- but codes aren't) If it's within 5' of a water source it needs to be on a GFCi circuit, or if it shares counter space with a sink- commonly, and it is just common sense to follow. Shouldn't apply to your pantry, but figure out what else is on that circuit- being grandfathered in usually goes out the window when you tear into it, then things need to be put right. I'm in USA, and not an electrician. Physicist. Though I have rewired multiple houses and pulled meters and replaced panels and most of those homes have not burned down.

*no outlet plate- a blank plate recessed into the wall just looks better- it also raises less eyebrows when and if you sell it or get a home inspection. If you do it right, then access shouldn't be a concern, and if you're not gonna do it right, don't do it at all.

Originally Posted by jnats

Get a larger junction and recess it into the wall. 2in^3 per wire= 12 cubic inches. A double gangway box would cover this. No plate. Then extend the wires with EMT conduit to a new outlet box- make sure that you size the conduit appropriately so that no mare than ~33% of the space is occupied by wires- they need to be able to move, also don't pull them tight, leave slack. They are supposed to be able to move out of the way in case somebody goes Wyatt earp with a screw gun. Should be 14 AWG THNN SOL at least for 15 amps at 50'- if your over that than that you should consider fishing 12g through the old lines. Is what I would do. Some local (most) codes require that the breaker be independent of appliances and lighting, and it's just common sense except for in smaller homes- then debatable- but codes aren't) If it's within 5' of a water source it needs to be on a GFCi circuit, or if it shares counter space with a sink- commonly, and it is just common sense to follow. Shouldn't apply to your pantry, but figure out what else is on that circuit- being grandfathered in usually goes out the window when you tear into it, then things need to be put right. I'm in USA, and not an electrician. Physicist. Though I have rewired multiple houses and pulled meters and replaced panels and most of those homes have not burned down.

Holy smokes!


Wow!
Way over my head.

Then with all do respect, I would recommend you hire a licensed electrician. If there is a part you are unclear on, I would be happy to clarify that part- but changing wiring around isn't something that should be done on a whim. It's not at all difficult, but it requires diligent inquiry and working out potential problems and questions before they pop up. Run too small a gauge over too many feet or pull to many amps and the circuit doesn't throw because it is malfunctioning or wired wrong and things get hot fast. for example- if you have a "federal pacific panel box"- that alone could cause a house fire without touching a thing. It's not the volts or amps that are worrisome, it's the combustible fuels we build houses out of. It might cost $300 US here to get a licensed electrician to extend a box.

I have all the correct wiring, outlet and junction box.......
Not really changing wiring, just adding a new line under 18 inches from the old outlet.
Just trying to figure out now how to connect 3 sets of wires together properly.
My wife called a friend who is an electrician....hopefully they come over tomorrow.....
Until then....power is off..... Safety first and no fires.