Accessible or not

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Under budget

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During a basement remodel several floor joists were reworked and resulted in me cutting several non metallic cables to allow this work.I respliced most of the cables with tyco splice kits but in one location I utilized a juntion box mounted facing down directly above a 6 inch recessed light.i assumed this would be considered accessible with the can removed but the inspector will not allow and states that this does not meet the requirements of accessible.seeking opinions
 
If that is not accessible than no can light J-box is. In other words I think the inspector is mistaken.

Also the light trim is not the building finish.
 
He claims you can't get both hands in there to work on it ? I would not have done it if the tyco 3 wire splice kits were still available ! Don't know what happened to them, worst thing is the inspector actually thinks I was trying to hide it from him by installing it above the can :happysad:
 
Under budget said:
He claims you can't get both hands in there to work on it ? I would not have done it if the tyco 3 wire splice kits were still available ! Don't know what happened to them, worst thing is the inspector actually thinks I was trying to hide it from him by installing it above the can :happysad:
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I don't know if I follow you. Are you saying you mounted a 4" sq or a nail on box above a recess light? If that is the case then I would think "accessible" means someone would know it is there. Everyone knows there is a j-box attached to the recess light, but who would know about a j-box above it? (maybe you could splice the wires in the can j-box)
 
iwire said:
If that is not accessible than no can light J-box is. In other words I think the inspector is mistaken.

Also the light trim is not the building finish.
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I agree with Bob and did you ever try to work on a junction box for a 3" recessed light fixture, yes it's designed to be worked through the 3" hole.
 
GerryB said:
I don't know if I follow you. Are you saying you mounted a 4" sq or a nail on box above a recess light? If that is the case then I would think "accessible" means someone would know it is there. Everyone knows there is a j-box attached to the recess light, but who would know about a j-box above it? (maybe you could splice the wires in the can j-box)
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This is what I did and thought it was a better install than using the splice kits that are listed for direct burial ,unfortunately the 3 wire kits were not available and using the j box on the can probably should have exceeded it capacity
 
Under budget said:
This is what I did and thought it was a better install than using the splice kits that are listed for direct burial ,unfortunately the 3 wire kits were not available and using the j box on the can probably should have exceeded it capacity
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What I usually would do is tell them you need a j-box with a blank cover (it is a basement remodel) or if possible pull the wire back different ways to accessible areas and run a new wire between. I never used those splice kits you mentioned, I thought they were big in mobile homes. Did the inspector see them and say anything?
 
Under budget said:
During a basement remodel several floor joists were reworked and resulted in me cutting several non metallic cables to allow this work.I respliced most of the cables with tyco splice kits but in one location I utilized a juntion box mounted facing down directly above a 6 inch recessed light.i assumed this would be considered accessible with the can removed but the inspector will not allow and states that this does not meet the requirements of accessible.seeking opinions
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I would say it's accessible. Not ideal but, it is accessible.
 
GerryB said:
You can pop a ceiling tile and look around with a flashlight. If you went on a troubleshooting call would you remove every recess light hoping there was a j-box above it?
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Gerry, what you or I or the inspector might do is not the question.

It is a code compliant installation, the inspector should pass it.
 
Under budget said:
Thank you,now I'm going to convince the inspector
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Here are the code sections in play



314.29 Boxes, Conduit Bodies, and Handhole Enclosures
to Be Accessible. Boxes, conduit bodies, and handhole
enclosures shall be installed so that the wiring contained
in them can be rendered accessible without removing
any part of the building or, in underground circuits, without
excavating sidewalks, paving, earth, or other substance that
is to be used to establish the finished grade.

Exception: Listed boxes and handhole enclosures shall be
permitted where covered by gravel, light aggregate, or noncohesive
granulated soil if their location is effectively identified
and accessible for excavation.
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From article 100.

Accessible (as applied to wiring methods). Capable of
being removed or exposed without damaging the building
structure or finish or not permanently closed in by the structure
or finish of the building.
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Unless the inspector can find another code section prohibiting what you did they should pass you.
 
Just to play devil's advocate again, how many of you have removed trims only to have one sliver of overpaint tear the drywall paper? and regardless of code, I'd leave a note in the panel that that j-box is there, because nobody will ever find it once you leave.

TYCO doesnt make the 4 wire splices anymore? I'm surprised the inspector didnt wrongly gig those over the jbox (which IS accessible, just in an awful location).
 
JFletcher said:
Just to play devil's advocate again, how many of you have removed trims only to have one sliver of overpaint tear the drywall paper? and regardless of code, I'd leave a note in the panel that that j-box is there, because nobody will ever find it once you leave.

TYCO doesnt make the 4 wire splices anymore? I'm surprised the inspector didnt wrongly gig those over the jbox (which IS accessible, just in an awful location).
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The big orange store has them on their web site but when you try to put them in a cart it won't let you ,went to 2 stores and they couldn't do it either,told me no stores in country has stock,I got some made by NSI since
 
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