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Electrical Wiring

how to lengthen a wire....legally?

17 years ago

hi I am replacing the 1/2 bathroom exhaust fan, and the new one has the wiring entrance on the different side of the unit, so the old wire can no long reach that far. So how can I legally lengthen the wire? I need about another foot or so, I guess using electrical tape is a big no no, and I have to use a junction box and twist connectors, if I do use a junction box, this box will be installed inside between the ceiling and 2nd floor, not readily accessible, and the code (I think) say that all junction box has to be readily accessible? and replacing the whole wire is not possible, so how can I do it legally?

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Comments (8)

joed
17 years ago
You have mentioned all your option. Pick one of them. Must be in a box and must be accessible or replace the wire back to a point where you can mount an acsesible box.
Or find a different fan that the wire will reach. Or you could move the fan and patch the old hole.
kudzu9
17 years ago
People end up with house fires all the time because it was just too hard to meet code, so they fudge in just this one instance. There is always a solution...it just may require a little work. You can: go get a different design fan; or, move the fan location and patch the old hole; or, put in an accessible box and cover it with a decorative plate that can be painted.

Do it right.
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richardyc
Original Author
17 years ago
so a non-readily accessible using wire connectors is safer than using electrical tape, right?
jason1083
17 years ago
to a degree it is safer, However this is flawed logic. Splices are one of the biggest failure points in wiring systems. So if one of the wire connectors loosens the fan either wont work and/ or it could arc or heat and cause fire in a concealed space. By the time it was large enough to be noticed chances are it would be too late.
again we see someone looking for approval of their flawed and illegal thoughts
User
17 years ago
Just in case you didn't already think of this.....

Can you possibly attach the new wire to the old and use the
old wire to pull the new one into the new location?

HTH
Chris

Here is a link that might be useful: Pulling tools
texasredhead
17 years ago
The exhaust fan in question is run by a switch so the wires running the fan emminate from that switch. Turn off the power to that switch and pull it out of the wall. You will find the neutral wire nutted in the box and the positive connected to the switch along with the ground. If properly done, the romex is probably stappled in the wall. In these cases we often pull out the box so we can reach the staple, pull it out, connect new romex to the wires in the ceiling and pull the new wire to the hole. Sometimes if there is a higher staple on the old wire we will cut out a piece of wall board to reach the other staple. We are careful cutting the drywall so we can put the piece back allowing an easy patch. We then replace the removed box with a remodel box that has ears that are screwed against the back of the drywall to hold it in place. Rewire the switch exactly the way it was before. IMO, this is really the only correct way to give you more wire length. When we are wiring recessed cans, exhaust fans, etc., we always leave enough wire to allow for this very thing.
User
17 years ago
Would a J-box in the ceiling that is accessible by removing the fan be code compliant?
Ron Natalie
17 years ago
Yes.

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