I am updating a kitchen and removed the old one piece formica backsplash planning to tile. Where I had a double box showing, one switch plus dual GFCI outlet, I find it is actually three ganged boxes (2x3). One was completely hidden by the formica.
I would like to move the switch a foot to the left. That is the easy part. I have no problem opening up the sheetrock and unganging the box and moving it over. The imprefections will be taken care of with the tiles.
But the other two boxes are the problem: Where the GFCI is there is a wire count of 4+2+1, 7. In the third box, the one that was hidden by the old formica splash, the wires coming from the bottom are connected to the wires coming from the ceiling, for a count of 4+1, 5. No ground showing, it is BX.
Together, the count would be 12. I know I can't get this all in one 2x3 even 3 1/2 deep by code (outside 2x4 wall in NJ. I also know I can't hide the joins in the wall or cover the box by tile (guess that is the same thing).
I would most prefer the lone GFCI, but I dont believe I can hide the joins in a box behind the wall nor can I cover one of the boxes with tile.
Any thoughts?
I fear the only real option is to leave it as a double, tile around, and put on a double faceplate. I certainly do not have enough slack in the wires to do this work anywhere else and with top joining bottom rewiring would be a major effort.
If that is my only real choice, is a switch not connected to anything behind it legal? How about an outlet (if it was to be a real one would I have to figure out what is also on the circuit)? Any other options?
Jeff
I would like to move the switch a foot to the left. That is the easy part. I have no problem opening up the sheetrock and unganging the box and moving it over. The imprefections will be taken care of with the tiles.
But the other two boxes are the problem: Where the GFCI is there is a wire count of 4+2+1, 7. In the third box, the one that was hidden by the old formica splash, the wires coming from the bottom are connected to the wires coming from the ceiling, for a count of 4+1, 5. No ground showing, it is BX.
Together, the count would be 12. I know I can't get this all in one 2x3 even 3 1/2 deep by code (outside 2x4 wall in NJ. I also know I can't hide the joins in the wall or cover the box by tile (guess that is the same thing).
I would most prefer the lone GFCI, but I dont believe I can hide the joins in a box behind the wall nor can I cover one of the boxes with tile.
Any thoughts?
I fear the only real option is to leave it as a double, tile around, and put on a double faceplate. I certainly do not have enough slack in the wires to do this work anywhere else and with top joining bottom rewiring would be a major effort.
If that is my only real choice, is a switch not connected to anything behind it legal? How about an outlet (if it was to be a real one would I have to figure out what is also on the circuit)? Any other options?
Jeff
