Rough In Question

[Angelfire]

Hiya Folks,
My buildout of the garage involves me reusing some of the wiring already installed. Shouldn't be an issue. However, I have a switch box that is currently installed and I will need to make up new circuits in it. The existing switches in the box control the lighting that is currently installed. When I'm done installing my stuff, I will have a 2-3 new runs feeding into this box/switches and will have removed one or two runs that are existing. How do I present this for rough in? I really can't lose the lights until I'm ready for drywall (which will be a while) so was thinking I'd just run the cables over and leave them outside the box until I'm ready for drywall (at which time, I'd be taking the lights down anyway to get rock up on the ceiling). Is this acceptable to most inspectors? An alternative would be to just temporarily hang lights where I plan them to be after drywall and hook everything up. This assumes the inspector will allow for power turn on after rough in inspection. I know how all this works at my place of business with regards to power on etc...but am not sure in the residential world as to when I can turn power on during the permit process. I hope I explained this ok.

Thanks for any insight.
Cheers.

 

[matt_i]

I am not sure this directly answers your question but I would wire up everything you need to for inspection, staple, mount boxes, terminate all ground wires.

For lights I would hang shop lights (like fluorescent fixtures) from the rough framing that have a male plug hanging down. PLug that into an extension cord when working. You'd probably need a tripod light in the period of hanging & finishing the drywall to the final electrical.

You mention "power on" but I'm guessing that's not the complete structure, just your "new" wiring...so potentially there's somewhere else still electrified to plug in an extension cord.

 

[Angelfire]

Thanks. Yes, the building has power already....I'm simply adding to it so maybe that's the solution is I just run cords to those receptacles that have already passed final. Thanks much.

 

[rwilner]

Seems obvious but best bet is to call your inspector, explain the situation and ask.

 

[Angelfire]

Seems obvious but best bet is to call your inspector, explain the situation and ask.

I've tried, multiple times. They don't return calls and are never there to answer the phone. Best I can get is an automated system to book an inspection. In the meantime, I figured I'd ask the experts on what is typical. I'll keep trying to get through though.

 

[Wirepuller]

Tear out the old. Install the new and power it up. Shut the power off when you get your rough inspection if your worried about what he'll say.


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[Wirepuller]

If you're waiting a while for drywall why bring the inspector in now? If this a year+ wait or a few month wait?


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[Angelfire]

If you're waiting a while for drywall why bring the inspector in now? If this a year+ wait or a few month wait?


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Definitely not a year (I sure hope not anyway!) but was looking to get insulation in quite soon (in the next few weeks) which would cover up the wiring.

Cheers.

 

[Jarnipman]

I usually just put it all together and ask for a final at rough in for smaller jobs like a garage with < 20 receptacles/lights and then if drywall ever gets done, just remove the receptacles/lights 5 min before drywall- I hate stressing about trying to finish things before a final and just want it done, so I do it this way unless I am immediately drywalling. I usually keep the wires long so I can quickly cut the outlets out at drywall or use the clamps on the side to zip them off - takes about 10 minutes to zip them off and snip them all out and another 1-2 hours to put them back in after drywall. This assumes in your area you can get final without wallboard at rough in, I can, but I have heard of some areas requiring wallboard for final because they are worried about you hanging things from the horizontal NM. In terms of powering up after rough in, why not, who would know, just unplug everything at final. The key thing is as long as your work is to code, and looks professional (as in neat and organized without the common mistakes), then all the little questions usually don't become issues.