Unused electrical boxes
#1
12-25-16, 10:55 PM
Unused electrical boxes
The garage of house I just moved into has a number of electrical boxes with standard hot/neutral/ground wires, and solid cover plates over them. Is there any reason not to install receptacles so I can use them? Why might these have been installed with solid cover plates?
Thanks,
Matt
Thanks,
Matt
#2
12-25-16, 11:26 PM
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It looks like the box was used as a junction box only, no idea why someone wouldn't install a receptacle.
The garage requires GFCI receptacles.
Maybe the previous person didn't know what to do with 3 wires, which is to connect them as pictured with a single pigtail to the receptacle terminals.
The garage requires GFCI receptacles.
Maybe the previous person didn't know what to do with 3 wires, which is to connect them as pictured with a single pigtail to the receptacle terminals.
#3
12-26-16, 12:39 AM
Ok, thanks for the note about gfci. I didn't realize that since the other garage outlets aren't.
On your second note, two wires use the receptacle as a pass-thru, where 3 wires keep 2 twisted for the pass-thru and the third goes to the receptacle, correct?
Thanks,
Matt
On your second note, two wires use the receptacle as a pass-thru, where 3 wires keep 2 twisted for the pass-thru and the third goes to the receptacle, correct?
Thanks,
Matt
#4
12-26-16, 01:07 AM
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Not correct.
If there are only two cables in a box (2 hot/2 neutral wires), you can use the receptacle terminals to continue power downstream.
If there are three or more cables, You connect ALL the neutral wires with a wire nut with a single pigtail to the receptacle. Same for hot, only one terminal will be used.
A safety note: If you run into any 3-conductor cable; a black, red, white and ground. Post back.
You may or may not have this cable in the garage, but precautions must be taken if you do.
If there are only two cables in a box (2 hot/2 neutral wires), you can use the receptacle terminals to continue power downstream.
If there are three or more cables, You connect ALL the neutral wires with a wire nut with a single pigtail to the receptacle. Same for hot, only one terminal will be used.
A safety note: If you run into any 3-conductor cable; a black, red, white and ground. Post back.
You may or may not have this cable in the garage, but precautions must be taken if you do.
#5
12-26-16, 02:52 AM
In addition, you only need a GFCI on the first receptacle, wiring the downline receptacles on the LOAD side of the GFCI. That will protect all the receptacles.
