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mclemens_gw

exposed NM under sink

mclemens
12 years ago

Hello!! Mike from Alaska here.

Picture for this question:

http://www.scopenews.com/gardenweb.jpg

I am installing 120V hardwired undercabinet lights and two proper dedicated 20A small appliance circuits in my kitchen.

I have a log home. I am furring out the log kitchen wall with 2x2's in order to drywall it. As a result I have extremely low clearance for junction boxes.

I picked small metal handy boxes for the receptacles, as they fit back right to the log surface, and stick out to the perfect drywall finish height, so they are about the best I can do in the space.

I'd did not think I would have room to splice NM cable along within each box on to the next, so I decided only to run cable into each box and then right to the receptacle -- not out again.

So I put two 4x4 junction boxes on the log wall under the sink cab location, and i ran several NM cables out from each 4x4 box to the various receptacles and undercabinet light locations.

When i am done the NM will be secured along the profile of the wall surface, generally in the crotches of the logs as you can see.

Is this OK?

Mike

Comments (27)

  • mclemens
    Original Author
    12 years ago

    picture link

    Here is a link that might be useful:

  • Ron Natalie
    12 years ago

    Yes, running the NM along the logs like that will be fine even in exposed areas.

    The biggest issue is to check the box fills when using shallow boxes like that.
    Those handy boxes up top are almost certainly illegal. If you don't have the depth, you'll need to use wider boxes to get the internal volume required.

  • mclemens
    Original Author
    12 years ago

    Hi Ron thanks for your response. Those top boxes are illegal with a single device in them? Is there any way to make legal use for them at all!? I used this attached link when I picked those top boxes.

    Maybe I should go with a low profile 4x4 with a raised single device mud ring for each of those?

    Here is a link that might be useful: wire fill

  • brickeyee
    12 years ago

    The shallowest boxes you can get are 4x4 boxes 1.25 inches deep.
    You then put a plaster ring on them, but that extends into the drywall.

    A regular switch-plate still covers the opening, and you have a lot more volume for wire allowances.

    The box fill is 2 #12 wires, 1 #12 allowance for all the grounds (you need to pigtail to the box to ground it) and 2 allowances of #12 for the device.

    The total box fill is thus five 12 wires.

    It looks like you are going to have a hard time grounding the boxes since it does not appear there is nay space on the back for the grounding screw to go though.
    There are grounding clips you could use if you can find them.
    It will be very tight for the wire nut for the pigtailed grounds (even though the pigtails do not count in box fill, they and the wire nuts still take up space).
    Use the smallest size that will handle three #12 conductors (a yellow ideal IIRC).

    It looks like you used external cable clamps, so no fill allowance there.
    You may have a hard time getting a GFCI receptacle into the boxes, even if they comply with the fill rules, so measure carefully.

  • mclemens
    Original Author
    12 years ago

    Hi brickeyee

    I actually went back to the giant Orange store and picked up the shallow 4x4 boxes with the mud rings.

    I figure I will probably have to take these mud rings back and then get even deeper ones to accomodate drywall and a tile backsplash.

    For the handyboxes, my plan was to put two GFCI breakers in the panel and not try to squeeze those beasts into in the little boxes. But now that I have mud-rings on big boxes, I should just use the GFCI receptacles huh? No trips to the breaker box downstairs.

  • brickeyee
    12 years ago

    Mud rings are all the same depth.

    Use the standard mud ring with an extension to get withing 1/4 inch of the tile surface.

  • saltcedar
    12 years ago

    Why not notch the logs to use full depth boxes, and feed all the receptacles from a GFCI in the 4x4 under the sink?

  • mclemens
    Original Author
    12 years ago

    Hey brickeyee.. I guess "mud ring" refers to the 1/2" deep model only then? I am referring to the several depths of cover shown on page 3 of this RACO PDF in the link. Home Depot sells em all.

    parts
    787 - flat mud ring
    771 - 1/4" raised
    768 - 5/8" raised
    etc

    There is surely one which would be within 1/4" of my final tile surface.

    SaltCedar - I just needed a NOW approach because my drywaller was standing there waiting for me. (And as things happened... he left.)

    Here is a link that might be useful: RACO covers

  • lbpod
    12 years ago

    If that is an outside wall, I think I would have
    used 2 X 4s to frame out, so I could get more
    insulation in there, thus eliminating the problem
    with the boxes.

  • brickeyee
    12 years ago

    You can also just cut into the log face to get box clearance.

    It is not like it is going to show behind the drywall.

  • mclemens
    Original Author
    12 years ago

    Thanks for the responses. We didn't have room for 2x4 because the installed cabinetry would push into a nearby door frame. Even with the 2x2 the trim around the door will be notched.

    I'll admit having considered notching into the logs but the timeframe of the brother-in-law furring work and drywall install didn't mesh with it. (And as it turns out... its still undrywalled so I had plenty of time.)

    In the end I like these big boxes with mud rings, it will be relaxing to wire.

    Thanks again!

  • brickeyee
    12 years ago

    You can still notch the logs at this point for the boxes as needed.

    "In the end I like these big boxes with mud rings, it will be relaxing to wire. "

    You are trading extra wiring room for more drywall work.

    Not a bad trade if you are paying since electricians earn a lot more than drywall mechanics.

    Sort of a wash if you are good at finishing drywall.

  • mclemens
    Original Author
    12 years ago

    I am still very curious though....

    are the original handy boxes illegal?

  • Ron Natalie
    12 years ago

    Yes, they are. Those look like the typical 13 cu inch hand boxes, you over fill them with just a single #12 cable coming in and a standard receptacle (even with external clamps).

  • hexus
    12 years ago

    " you over fill them with just a single #12 cable coming in and a standard receptacle"

    no you wouldn't.

    If you had only one 12/2 romex and a device that would equal 11.25 cu in.

    2 for the conductors + 1 for the ground + 2 for the the device = 5 x 2.25 = 11.25

  • mclemens
    Original Author
    12 years ago

    In the end, I want to keep these sturdy metal handy boxes. I am not pigtailing on in anything, each box is the end of the line, I can easily ground them, and I tested one and can comfortably put a receptacle in them.

    They are RACO model 662 seen in attached PDF. They are 13 cu inch capacity.

    Are they illegal or not?

    Ron Natalie says "Yes, they are." (illegal)

    Others say no.

    thanks!
    Mike

    Here is a link that might be useful: RACO BOXES

  • brickeyee
    12 years ago

    If the boxes are 13 in^3 you would be OK, though it wil be tough to pa k a GFCI receptacle into one.

    The fill looks like this (#12 allowances) 1 hot + 1 neutral + 1 grounds + 2 device = 5 allowances * 2.25 in^3 per allowance = 11.25 in^3.

    It would be legal, but is going to be a PITA.

    You need a pigtail to ground each box (and clearance for the grounding screw through the back of the box).

    The clearance is note a code issue, just driving the screw through the threaded hole in the back of the box.

    A ground clip would sole the screw issue, but you stil need a pigtail for three #12 wires (ground in + box pigtail + device pigtail).

    It will be VERY tight in there, GFCI devices are large (and under code require only the same two wiring allowances as a regular duplex receptacle or simple snap switch).

  • mclemens
    Original Author
    12 years ago

    I tried one yesterday and it wires up no problem. There is a slightly raised surface for a ground screw.

    I am planning on putting normal recepts in these, with GFCI breakers... no legal probs there right? Just my wife mad when it trips and I have to go downstairs to reset it?

  • netlos
    12 years ago

    Just for your information, you can get mud rings(4x4 plastering covers, one device, or two) flat or up to 1-1/4" raised.

  • mclemens
    Original Author
    12 years ago

    I bet if I tile this wall, I'll legally need to extend these handy boxes? I am not sure that exists for these little boxes. I like to do stuff to code.

  • brickeyee
    12 years ago

    Single gang extensions should be fine.

    In smaller dimensions they use the device screws to hold them in place.
    Deeper extensions use separate screws in the device holes to mount the extension and then device screws to the extension.
    You may need to trim the device screws to get them to fit.

    If you trip the GFCIs your wife will come to hate the walk.

    Of course it also means there is an electrical problem in the device you are using many times.

  • Ron Natalie
    12 years ago

    Yeah, math error on my part, I got 13.25 I did something wrong...it's only 11.25

  • mclemens
    Original Author
    12 years ago

    In the end.... I bit the bullet. I carved out a little bit of log behind each box, put 4x4 metal boxes in and used mud rings big enough to stick completely out of the drywall and almost through the (upcoming) tile covering.

  • brickeyee
    12 years ago

    "I carved out a little bit of log behind each box, put 4x4 metal boxes in and used mud rings big enough to stick completely out of the drywall and almost through the (upcoming) tile covering."

    Better in the long run.

    The box fill rules only require two wring allowances for the device.

    It is OK for a simple snap switch or a duplex receptacle, but a dimmer or GFCI receptacle can be a tight (though legal) fit.

    You will find wiring in the 4x4 boxes much easier.

  • mclemens
    Original Author
    12 years ago

    Whats the rule for when a box extension is required? Is it not required at all if you put a non-combustible material on (like tile/mortar), or is it a "must come within X" of ANY surface" type rule?

  • brickeyee
    12 years ago

    The front face of a box may be recessed no more than 1/4 inch of a finished non-flammable surface (plaster or drywall), and flush with a flammable finished surface (like wood).

    Ceramic tile is not flammable, so the box can be recessed no more than 1/4 inch.

  • mclemens
    Original Author
    12 years ago

    Thanks everyone for all the great help i am really happy with the final choices.