Need to move a switch
#1
02-14-02, 03:07 PM
Need to move a switch
I'll be opening up my basement stairs soon and need to move the 3-way switch from the wall that's coming down to an outer wall. I'm positive that the existing cable won't reach to where I want it to go. What are any code-approved ways of extending the length 3-4 ft?
#2
02-14-02, 05:00 PM
With no exceptions whatsoever you may not make splices or terminations in the wall of a dwelling that are not fully accessible with the wall closed up. So, the answer is to leave the wall box the old switch was in, make your splice in there and install a blank wallplate over the box. From there you may extend the new section of wire as required. Hope that helps.
Juice
Juice
#3
02-14-02, 05:02 PM
Member
The preferred solution is to remove the cable back to the next closest box that it comes from. Then replace it with a longer cable.
There are an infinite number of other solutions, but if you make any splices, they must be in permanently accessible electrical boxes.
There are an infinite number of other solutions, but if you make any splices, they must be in permanently accessible electrical boxes.
#5
02-19-02, 04:01 PM
"Goes" is a relative term. The existing switch is fed from the breaker box. If this is the first termination in the circuit then yes, you will have to fish a new cable from the breaker box to the first switch in the circuit. Sorry.
Juice
Juice
#6
02-19-02, 08:30 PM
Hmmm....I'm planning on putting a bathroom and other outlets in the nearby area, I guess I could add them first off the hot line on the same circuit and run new wire to the moved switch. Could the load possibly be going to the light at the top of the stairs (3-way) first?
I'm not sure of the load currently on that circuit though. Do those devices that send a 'signal' through a circuit to tell if it's the same one work pretty well? What's a fair price for one?
I'm not sure of the load currently on that circuit though. Do those devices that send a 'signal' through a circuit to tell if it's the same one work pretty well? What's a fair price for one?
#7
02-20-02, 01:05 PM
Member
You need a new 20-amp circuit for your bathroom, with nothing else on it. I suggest you read up on codes before you start. Try "Wiring Simplified", a green paperback sold at Home Depot.
#8
02-20-02, 02:56 PM
John, that leads me to another curious question. I'm adding another outlet in a different bathroom. I discovered that the lights/fan in it are on one circuit shared with an adjacent bedroom. But the 2 GFCI outlets in there are on a different one. Is this normal?
I don't know if anything else is on that circuit which is another use I would have for that signal noise device.
I don't know if anything else is on that circuit which is another use I would have for that signal noise device.
#9
02-20-02, 04:41 PM
Member
Yes, it is one of the two approved ways. You can either (1) put everthing in one bathroom on a 20-amp circuit with nothing outside that bathroom on that circuit, or (2) put one or more bathroom receptacles on a 20-amp circuit with nothing except bathroom receptacles on that circuit. It seems that you have choice (2).
I note that even if you have neither of the above, it still may be okay, since codes change as the years go by. But if you are installing a new bathroom, you must follow today's code.
I note that even if you have neither of the above, it still may be okay, since codes change as the years go by. But if you are installing a new bathroom, you must follow today's code.
