Splicing wiring to relocate outlets

[ThatSickRip]

We have some projects coming up where we will be relocating outlets from standard level to counter top level, as well as a ceiling fan moving further in to the room to center it. What is the correct way to "splice" longer wires to the existing if theyre not long enough to reach the new outlet boxes?

Would this be a solution vs just using wire nuts?

 

[56Mark]

If you do, you should have access to the splices like with a junction box and cover. They make these romex splices, but I don't think are approved in the current code to extend wires, only repair.....but the guys that do this all the time will chime in and know the answer to that. I have used one of these before.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Tyco-Electronics-Romex-Splice-Kit-2-Wire-1-Clam-A22899-000/202204326

 

[ddurrett896]

Whatever you do, make sure you can access the junction.

If it's a single story house, I'd go in the attic/crawl space where the wires come in to the room and make the cut there, put the wire in a junction and fish a new wire to the outlet.

 

[ThatSickRip]

So for example, I could use the old wall outlet location as the junction for the splice, and have the new outlet 4' higher?

 

[Terry D]

So for example, I could use the old wall outlet location as the junction for the splice, and have the new outlet 4' higher?

Yes, all the splices have to be accessible as already said. If cabinets are going up against the wall, then the back will have to be cut out around the existing box and put a blank cover on it.

Sometimes , and you wont know till you get into it. The wire maybe feeding down from above to the existing outlet. If you are putting the new outlet right above the old one, then cut the hole first in the wall for the box, if you see the wire, then you can intercept it and eliminate a splice.

As far as those connectors vs wirenuts. Im old school, I like wirenuts. But to my understanding, there is nothing wrong with the push in style, except maybe if you had to take the splice back apart for some reason. They are not like back stabbing a receptacle

 

[cmandp]

I like wire nuts too. I dealt with those push in connectors on a bathroom fan and it was annoying. I got ahead of myself and made connections before slipping the romex through the clamp, you have to cut the wire and re strip it.

Hopefully for you your situation is like Terry mentioned, fed from above. then you already have plenty of wire.

I would not want to cut holes in the back of a bunch of cabinets for junction boxes. I wouldn't mind doing junction boxes in the basement/crawl space if unfinished and easy to get to.

I'd prefer straight runs of wire device box to device box. If that means running some new wire I would do it, if possible to pull it with the old wire it saves some time figuring out how to rout it. In my house I usually end up replacing very old NM cable (i.e. cloth covered) and buried junction boxes though hence why this last method is my go to.

 

[Git]

Those Tyco splices should be acceptable (you may want to check with your local building department to be sure) and they do not have to be accessible. They are to be used only for 'new' work like what the OP is doing. Best case would be to run a new line but if you can't, go for it

They also make them to 'tap' into a line, which can come in handy

 

[ThatSickRip]

Thanks guys! Sound like I have options. Once we get to the point of relocating the outlet before the reno, Ill make sure to have stuff on hand so that I have options and not running to the store in the middle of the work

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have used the Tyco splice a couple of times. Saved my **** !

 

[Jim greengo]

So for example, I could use the old wall outlet location as the junction for the splice, and have the new outlet 4' higher?

Yes.

 

[rharman]

So for example, I could use the old wall outlet location as the junction for the splice, and have the new outlet 4' higher?

Yes.

Wow, that was a lightbulb moment for me. What a great idea. Just have to do an access hole in the back of the cabinet covering the old outlet.

I have to file this one away for future....

 

[TTMotorsports]

Wow, that was a lightbulb moment for me. What a great idea. Just have to do an access hole in the back of the cabinet covering the old outlet.

I have to file this one away for future....

I was going to suggest that same thing. I did that on an old home I remodeled the kitchen and added some cabinets that hid outlets so I moved them up and in back of cabinet cut a square hole and used old outlet as a Junction box and put a cover on it and ran the wires up to a new box with outlet where I wanted it. Also I removed the kitchen florescent lights that were hardwired and added 4 recessed lights. Where the boxes for the old lights went through ceiling I put a box in the attic and used that as a junction box to run the wiring to the new recessed lights without issues since you can access all junctions from the attic or back of cabinet. My friends house they hit the junction boxes in garage wall when they dry walled it and a fire started because of that and burned part of his house and filled it all up with smoke. Would've still happened otherwise because nobody i know opens boxes to inspect wiring.

 

[egdede]

So for example, I could use the old wall outlet location as the junction for the splice, and have the new outlet 4' higher?

You could use wire nuts in the old box and do what you want easier and cheaper.

The tyco connector would allow to take the old box out and patch the wall. An inspector had never heard or seen these when I had my kitchen re-wire inspected. My ******* drew his attention to where I had moved a switchbox. he took a few minutes reading the enclosed instructions, looked at the connection and moved on.

They make a little enclosed box with built-in strain relief. they are maybe a bit tricky at first. Maybe a first-time user might **** one up and have to drive back to Lowes : )