Leaving a light swich behind the drywall... is it against the code?

KUIPORNG

I just discovered I cover up a light switch by accident, the switch is for the light in the main panel small area..... I cover the switch with the rock and forget to cut out the hole... Now I finished mudding that area and found out it is ok without the light... it end up the drywall didn't bump up due to the switch probaberly the switch was installed a bit inside anyway or somthing...

my question is then... if I leave the switch inside... would the electrical inspector just laugh at me instead of asking me to cut the hole.... or probably he wouldn't discover if I am not telling him...

thanks...

harleysilo

I have no idea, but he might notice no switch for the light, and ask where it is....

gregzoll

Actually it is, due to it is a junction box, and unaccessable if something was to happen. Also, when installing Drywall, the outlets & switches are removed, until the holes are cut, then you finish out by installing the switches & Outlets after the holes are cut, and all finish work is done.

AtlanticWBConst.

Correct...

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KUIPORNG

I didn't remove the outlet and switch when installing drywall... normally, I screw a few screws then cut the hole with the switch/outlet behind the drywall... I would find removing and reinstalling outlet/switch for drywall installation is extremely cumbersome, I would surprise professional do that... consider they want to save time rather than wasting time... the good thing I can see is you won't accidentally cut the outlet/switch, I happen to cut a couple of outlets in my case... but compare to all other outlets/switch I am ok with ... I still prefer not to remove them before installing drywalls...

anyhow... I will try to use those hot wire detector to locate the switch and see if I can find it for cutting the hole...

thanks...

redline

How do you operate the light if you cannot access the switch or does it stay on all the time?

KUIPORNG

My intention is not to use the light no more as it appears the panel small area is ok without the light .... and it turn out the switch is in off position ... so the light is being off all time... rather than on all time...

but I will try to see if I can use a hot wire sound detector to locate the switch position and cut it with the rotary cutter....

unless someone has a better suggestion for me to locate the hole easier and more accurate....

AtlanticWBConst.

...."Clap-on......Clap off".....

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redline

No need for a switch

mcvane

What you could do is disconnect the power/wire that goes to the circuit breaker for this switch. That will make the switch in the wall still be there, but at least there won't be a live wire anywhere hidden.

KUIPORNG

the switch is the starting point of a circuit which a bunch of outlets/switch/lights behind it...

Anyhow, I already got my electrical permit and the switch is behind the wall for good...

Big Dave

An easy and sure way to find a covered up outlet box is to take a straight edge about 4 feet long and place it on the wall at the height of the other switch boxes. You will notice a rather large bump right where the box is. Mark it and do the same thing vertically and it will give you a very good approximation to center of the box. Turn off the circuit and carfully start with a smal hole and cut the box out. You might have to do a little drywall taping to patch any overcuts but it needs to be done.

By the way, when I hung drywall we would hang over switches and boxes all the time with no problems. Sometimes it's a necessary evil to get the job done.

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joed

This is a serious code violation and will not pass final inspection.

beer_geek

This passed inspection? That's surprising since it is a code violation. Why won't you cut the drywall? Did you read the "bedroom wiring problem" thread? Since you have so many things after that switch, you may need to cut into anyway if you have a problem. Might as well do it now before you do all of the finish work.

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