Hi,
I have a switched outlet in a room that I am adding track lighting to, I want to have that outlet powered all the time and use the switch to operate the track lighting. Right now it’s a simple circuit. Power goes to the switch and then a wire to the socket. I planned on adding a box in the attic where i could redo the connections for the light, switch and socket. The problem is that I don’t have any slack in the current wires to work. So, if I cut them I don’t have any slack to run into the box and I really want to avoid having to fish new wires. To get around ths I’m thinking of adding two boxes. Tthe new track lighting wire and power would run to one box. Tbhe switch and socket wire would run to the other box and then I would connect the two with short wire runs between the boxes. Is this in any way acceptable? It’s in New Hapmshire. The boxes wouldl not be buried in walls. They would be up in the attic.
George
Replies
George
I don't know how you're going to make the switch operate the track while supplying power to the outlet (with power coming to the switch first), but your idea of installing two boxes is fine. Use the same gauge wire between those boxes and any other new wire you run as your power feed and any existing wire you use. And be sure your fuse or breaker is rated for that ga. wire. In addition, add up the wattage for the track and load on the existing circuit to be sure you are within your limits.
Can you fish a wire into tyhe existing box? If so the biggest problem is just the size if the box. Wirenut the receptacle wire to the hot and attach the switch to the wire going up to the attic and track light.
Thanks! Power and the outlet will come into the first box and then go to the second box and the switch and light. Can't really fish wires. Well I probably could if I wanted to spend 4X the time. If the boxes are allowd it's a lot less aggravating.
George
You can certainly use 2 boxes, one on each end of the wire you cut with an interconnecting wire in between.
You can also convert the 2 wire cable going to the switch box from a feed to a switch leg.
I am just not sure how you will get to the switched leg receptacle once you dedicate the wire coming down the wall to the switch from above. You won't have a neutral in the switch box anymore.
Two boxes.....
....are fine. No code problems there as long as they are accessible - you said they would be.
Don't understand the exact electrical path that will let you make your switched outlet hot all of the time, plus let you use the existing switch for the track lights, but if you can solve your problem by reconnecting existing cable in multiple boxes -- have at it!
Jim