Move Outlet in Bathroom with Short Cable

snoopede · Oct 13, 2021

I am moving an outlet in my bathroom. The original outlet is where we would like to put a vanity mirror. These outlets are located above the vanity. The faucet is about 6 inches to the right of these photos.

The cable comes from above and is not long enough to reach the new preferred outlet location. I would like to extend the cable without putting in an entirely new one. I have a couple of questions:

->Can I connect another foot of cable in the junction box using wire nuts and put a plate over it?
->Do I need to use a metal junction box or can I use a blue plastic one here?
->Is there a better way to accomplish what I'm trying to do?

[ElectriciansForums.net] Move Outlet in Bathroom with Short Cable

Above you can see the current location of the outlet / junction box.

The red rectangle above represents where I would like to move the outlet. I also want to rotate it horizontally.

telectrix · Oct 13, 2021

personally. I'd pull yhe cable back into the attic, joint a suitable length of cable to it, in a box with wagos or wire nuts, cut a new hole in ceiling, then reroute to come straight down the wall, chased in , to the new location.

ControlsEngineer · Oct 20, 2021

OK the code says (in the US anyway) that anything entering and leaving a box or other device must be accessible. Look in "Definitions" for what the NEC deems accessible. So if I understand correctly you want to splice a foot of wire in the box, put a cover on it and then render it inaccessible by covering it all up with the new mirror? Can't do that legally. Put in a new circuit. Pull the old wire back to the attic as suggested above, (or abandon it) properly mount a box, make your splice and then run the new section of wire to where you want to relocate the outlet. Hope this helps.

Megawatt · Oct 31, 2021

snoopede said:
I am moving an outlet in my bathroom. The original outlet is where we would like to put a vanity mirror. These outlets are located above the vanity. The faucet is about 6 inches to the right of these photos.

The cable comes from above and is not long enough to reach the new preferred outlet location. I would like to extend the cable without putting in an entirely new one. I have a couple of questions:

->Can I connect another foot of cable in the junction box using wire nuts and put a plate over it?
->Do I need to use a metal junction box or can I use a blue plastic one here?
->Is there a better way to accomplish what I'm trying to do?

View attachment 91059
Above you can see the current location of the outlet / junction box.

View attachment 91060
The red rectangle above represents where I would like to move the outlet. I also want to rotate it horizontally.

Yes what you are wanting to do is legal and if I was you I would use the blue plastic boxes. As stated above you need to install a box in your attic and use enough cable to go from box to box. All splices have to be accessible so you can’t float it in the wall and it needs to be secure