Replies

1. 
   gfretwell | May 14, 2012 03:32pm | #1

   The question would be the wire. There is an intreresting conundrum. If you put 1.5" of wire in insulation in a top plate penetration,  you need to derate that wire. On the other hand nobody seems to care if it is insulation in an attic. 

   The problem is usually finding those boxes if you want access later or just to avoid stepping on them. Up is better. That is hard to do in old work.

   In my addition I put all of the J boxes that were not accessible from below, up on a truss member so they were easy to get to. Most of the citcuits were home run to a board with a couple big J boxes in the tall part of the attic. It meant a little more wire but I have already had to get in there (wife changed her mind) so it has already paid off.

2. 
   DanH | May 14, 2012 08:06pm | #2

   Write on the joists above where the boxes are.

1. 
   Scott | May 22, 2012 11:52am | #3

   >>>Write on the joists above

   >>>Write on the joists above where the boxes are.

   Good idea. Or I suppose you could make up some sort of flag that sticks up out of the insulation.

1. 
   davidmeiland | May 27, 2012 01:36pm | #4

   I have seen

   electricians and insulators use the little plastic flags on a 2' stiff wire to mark the locations of junctions under insulation... the type used by surveyors and excavators to mark spots on the ground. You can probably get them at box stores. Very civilized to think of the next guy.

   We had some for our invisible dog fence, but they were too short.

1. 
   DanH | May 27, 2012 02:17pm | #5

   but they were too short

   Why?  How tall is your invisible dog?

1. 
   davidmeiland | May 27, 2012 11:20pm | #6

   I think

   he's about medium, but I wouldn't swear to it.

2. 
   Scott | May 29, 2012 12:32am | #7

   >>electricians and insulators

   >>electricians and insulators use the little plastic flags on a 2' stiff wire to mark the locations of junctions under insulation... the type used by surveyors and excavators to mark spots on the ground. You can probably get them at box stores. Very civilized to think of the next guy.

   Cool. I know exactly what you mean. We've got those 2' flags all over the place here thanks to the local trail building association (of which I'm a member).

   Good idea, thanks.

1. 
   gfretwell | May 29, 2012 08:57pm | #8

   The problem with those little flags is I don't wanbt to be crawling around in a dark attic with these

   wire spikes sticking up everywhere.

   Like Jean Sheppard says "you will put yer eye out kid"

2. 
   DanH | May 29, 2012 09:37pm | #9

   This is why I recommend something on the joist above.  Get something like a plastic file folder and cut it into pieces, write on them with a magic marker, and staple to the joists.

3. 
   xxPaulCPxx | May 30, 2012 11:35am | #10

   Just thinking about this:  Why not tie a piece of pink masons line to the box (like around a wire coming out the side) and staple the other end to a joist above?  That way you can follow the string down to the box.