ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Blue Box Fill Continued

Thanks for the great input on my blue box fill discussion topic. I still had one area of the discussion that I am still wondering about. What are we supposed to do in an unfinished part of an upstairs that the homeowner now wants to finish. The only ciruit up there is 1 #14 on a 15 amp breaker that has a switch, basic light and 1 receptacle. The homeowner has framed in a bathroom and a small family room and wants to add about 4 receptacles, 1 GFI in the bathroom, a light for the family room and a vent/light combo for the bathroom. I could not make a new homerun and add a circuit The rest of the house is completely finished and the family of 5 is living there. I basically used the blue box that the switch was mounted in as a feed box for the rest of the receptacles. Before I have added a 4"x4" deep box where the vanity was going, or in a closet and brought my feed wire into that and then fed out from there to all other circuits. What would you guys do?

Kyelectric, you really have no choice but to get the additional circuit(s) to this space. It may take some inovative thinking and some improvising, but there are code issues that you can not ignor.

Read 210.11(C)(3) and its Exception as well as the applicable parts of 210.52(A),(D), and (H).

Don't forget the NFPA 72 required interconnection of the smoke alarm from this space to the others if it is not already there.


Roger




[This message has been edited by Roger (edited 09-06-2005).]

Don't forget the 20a. circuit for the bath plug(s). or if you wish, a 20a. circuit for the exclusive use of the wiring in the bathroom.

Thanks for the replies. I guess I'm going to go back and rethink how I'm going to do this. See, this wasn't how the house was built so the electrical contractor before did not know to add dedicated 20 amp circuits for an additional bathroom upstairs in an unfinished part of the house.

I know this does not help with your problem but I thought I would throw it out any way. "Food for Thought" This is why I tell guys to run some pipe in those houses. A couple of 1" emt's make all the difference in the world.Instead of running a #14/3 up to the unfinished area go for a couple of pipes instead

In my view, and it does not matter where we work, sometimes to do what the customer wants we have to “modify” the existing installation. Get the new circuit(s) there. Just make sure that you let them know upfront what you have to do and why you have to do it. Most are happy to patch some drywall if you can explain why you are not causing a fire hazard by cutting a few holes.

My first foreman told me “it can always be done, it's just up to you to figure how it gets done.” And if they say NO to your proposed work, then move on. Don't try to load a 15A circuit over 15A, just as we don't try to load a 200A circuit over 200A. It does not matter the current involved, a fire hazard is a fire hazard. Glad you are rethinking the work, and good luck!

Alan Jackson says it best
"Don't get down hearted, I can fix it for you sonny.
It won't take too long, it just takes money"

Thanks for the replies. You have definatley helped with this question. I appreciate all the different ideas. Thats what I was hoping for when I joined this forum. I have not worked in residential electricity for as many years as some of you have. I have been an industrial electrician for 1/3 of my life. I'm going to need some help with interpretation and ideas from time to time. But, I want to do things correctly by the code and in a workman like manner.