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Cramped Outlet (Gang) Box

3K views 17 replies 7 participants last post by  Oyiwaa 
#1 ·
Hello,

I wall mounted a TV, and wanted to place an electrical outlet right up behind the TV for a cleaner look. So, I decided to tap on the power outlet below the TV, and did make the connection.

However, the gang box (from which I taped the connection) is really cramped. There are 3 wires in it already (the original + 2 others going to different outlets in the basement). Adding the wire for the TV outlet increased it to 4.

What worse, the previous worker cut the wires so short that I have little room for wire nuts that can hold all 12 wires (4 black, 4 white, 4 ground) + the pigtail.

Ideally, it would be better to just rerun the 3 wires, leaving enough in the gang box for the connections. But this would be too much work, and I think would involve cutting my dry wall to do the runs. So I am thinking of an alternative to clean up the box. I am not too comfortable having all those wires cramped in there with the wire nuts.

1. One option is that I attach one pigtail to each wire to extend it, and then use additional pigtail to connect all the wires to the outlet screws. but I am wondering if that would not be too many wire nuts?

2. Is there any type of connector that can splice and extend the original wires neatly?

3. If I can do two, the one option I think of is to get a slightly deeper gang box, and use Wago Wall Nuts to connect all of them.

I will appreciate your thoughts on any of these plans, and possible suggestions to achieve my goal.

thanks, Oyiwaa
 
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#4 ·
thanks for your responses.

Jim Port: how larger of a box should i get, and I presume it would mean enlarging the current opening right?

bathanreview: I thought about this solution, but how do I ensure that the other 3 lines that are running off the main outlet get power?

thanks - Oyiwaa
 
#6 ·
Thanks very much, Mr.Electrician. I get your suggestion, and I think it would work.

I will get the two-gang box, extend the current hole by taking a new measurement, tracing with the new box, and then install it.

any ideas / suggestions about extending the current short wires in the box, so that I have enough to connect to the receptacle, without using too many wire nuts?

thanks - Oyiwaa
 
#7 ·
Thanks very much, Mr.Electrician. I get your suggestion, and I think it would work.

I will get the two-gang box, extend the current hole by taking a new measurement, tracing with the new box, and then install it.

any ideas / suggestions about extending the current short wires in the box, so that I have enough to connect to the receptacle, without using too many wire nuts?

thanks - Oyiwaa
Wago will help cleanup that box.
 
#12 ·
Thanks very much, Mr. Electrician. So, to get the staples off, I believe I can reach out deep into the wall with my hand and feel for it, and then remove the staples with nose/pliers.

Is that the way to go ? I would think so.

I already ordered the parts and can't wait to finish it the work tomorrow.
 
#15 ·
It is not as simple as stated to remove the staples. Sometimes they are several inches away from the existing box. It is important to not damage the existing wiring. I have used long thin screwdrivers if the staples are a distance. When they are within reach I have used my long diagonal pliers to grab an edge of the staple and work it out. Or I have also cut the staples with my diagonal pliers. If you feel that you may be damaging the wire, then skip the staple removal and work with the wire length that you have. It will be easier to get your hands in a two gang box to pigtail the wires to a good length.

BTW is the existing one gang box metal or plastic?
 
#16 ·
thank you, Mr. Electrician.

There was a metal one. but I have since removed them, and added a plastic "existing wall" version.

Yes, I will check the cables / staples. And if it would be too risky, I will just work with the existing wires. The bigger box is definitely a plus, and will give me a better access to the shorter wires.

thanks again - Oyiwaa
 
#17 ·
Even if you successfully remove the staples, there's no guarantee you'll have any slack. Typically, the cables are fairly taught and snug when they're stapled. If the cable goes up to the attic you'll get nothing because there's another staple near the top of the wall. If your wire ends are too short to re-splice try getting a few wagos.
 
#18 ·
Thanks folks, I just finished the installation. I used the "Ideal In-line spline" to extend the wires. I used Wago wall nuts to collect all the like-wires (ground, neutral and live) together, then, pigtailed to the oulet.

All working well.

Thanks for all your help.

Now, on to the next project: a separate question about changing a halogen bulb to a fluorescent tube in my garage.

best, Oy
 
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