I'm wondering if there are any exceptions to buring a junction box behind drywall, no access? i.e. are there any products or devices or means (crimping, welding etc)to allow one to make a permanant splice connection and then not have to leave the j-box accessable? This particular situation is around a residential application.
Thanks
Well, these things claim to allow you to do this, but I don't trust anything that is buried. I believe that they've been used in modular or manufactured homes for some time. Take a look:
http://www.molex.com/cgi-bin/bv/molex/jsp/family/intro.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1822063810.1218670744@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccceadeelgmemhhcflgcehedffgdfmk.0&superFamOID=-8804&pageTitle=Introduction&channel=Products&familyOID=-9408&chanName=family&frellink=Introduction
Tyco has a similar item. Last debate here (NJ) was mobile/mod structures. Based on your location, I would suggest that you show the literature from the above link to your area AHJ BEFORE you do it.
My personal opinion....'buried' splices are NG, as Ed said.
BTW, HD probably doesn't stock Molex. As an EC I would replace/rewire/re-feed whatever you are referencing to splice. As an AHJ....buried splices win a red sticker; but a future problem may 'win' you a lot more than that.
First...thank You for the responses...
Ed, what product are you linking to? I'm alittle dense so please excuse my required hand holding. I opened your link, but it goes to the molex home page...i.e. I do not know what product you refering. Can you please give me a name to look for on the Molex site?
Thanks again
Sorry about that. Try this one instead and also click on "solid wire" in the menu box on the left side of the page:
http://www.molex.com/cgi-bin/bv/molex/jsp/family/intro.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0772761061.1218725007@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccceadeelgmemhhcflgcehedffgdfmk.0&oid=-9408&channel=Products&familyOID=-9408&frellink=Introduction&chanName=family&pageTitle=Self-Contained%20Power%20Connector%20|%20Overview
There not Allowed in Canada for any purpose but for manufactured homes
http://www.eiabc.org/pdfQuestionSheets/NMD%20Splice%20Kits.pdf
Molex does not seem to be bragging about "concealed" like the Tyco product.
Tyco was saying their splice could exploit 334.40(B)
Devices of Insulating Material. Switch, outlet, and tap devices of insulating material shall be permitted to be used without boxes in exposed cable wiring and for rewiring in existing buildings where the cable is concealed and fished. Openings in such devices shall form a close fit around the outer covering of the cable, and the device shall fully enclose the part of the cable from which any part of the covering has been removed. Where connections to conductors are by binding-screw terminals, there shall be available as many terminals as conductors.
someone should manufacture a "in-wall splice kit" that is just like an underground splice kit. send it in to UL to have it listed for the purpose. I personally would feel way better with a pressure torqued terminal shrink tubed, than I would with a "stab" connection. just thinking out loud...
I don't think that the issue is so much with the ability of a product to make a good, long lasting connection that could be covered and work well for the life of the building and other wiring when properly installed, I think it's the inability to check the quality of the installers work after said splice is buried. Once a device like this is allowed on the market, anybody will be able to get them, and we've all seen the horror of DIYers in action. A badly made splice out of the confines of a box is a fire waiting to happen.
"send it in to UL to have it listed for the purpose"
For UL to list a product, the manufacture can spend thousands on testing and then thousands more in product liability insurance, before a product will reach the market place.
When you get to the Molex page...check the 'references', UL, CSA, HUD & NEC Article 550 & 545.
No mention of 334 like Tyco.
Just because you CAN do something does not mean you SHOULD.
Let me describe a recent jobsite. A large store is divided into booths, about 10x10, and each booth is in turn rented to a contractor, to showcase his wares to the general public. One booth might be a plumber, the one next to it a siding contractor, etc.
Each booth has a few receptacles, and each circuit serves four booths.
My customer had added a receptacle, only to have the circuit go bad a week later. Was the problem with his wiring? Nope. It appears that another booth ran a nail into the conduit when they covered up one of their receptacles.
I say 'appears,' as we have no way of knowing where the fault lies, or pulling new wire into the pipe - until that guy takes his wall apart.
THAT's why we don't bury splices - no matter how well done.