[Q]: Sconce Wiring - Did I do good/bad?

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pkavan

Member
OK here goes.

our first-floor bathroom has a j-box (JB #1) installed near the ceiling in a stud bay that's located as follows:

Code:
+------------------------------------------+
 |  Stud Bay #1 | Stud Bay #2 | Stud Bay #3 | 
 +--------------+-------------+-------------+
 |              |    JB #1    |             |
 |              |             |             |
 |              |             |             |
...i.e. a single light fixture was mounted here over a large rectangular mirror. we're replacing that mirror with a smaller oval mirror, and we'd like to add two sconce lighting fixtures to either side of the mirror. my plan was to splice off of the wires leading in to JB #1 (putting a cover over it to keep it accessible), run NM from JB #1 through a hole i've drilled into the stud to JB #2 for the first fixture, and run NM from JB #2 to through two additional stud holes i've drilled to JB #3 for the second fixture, as follows:

Code:
+------------------------------------------+
 |  Stud Bay #1 | Stud Bay #2 | Stud Bay #3 | 
 +--------------+-------------+-------------+
 |   +----------+-+   JB #1 --+------+      |
 |  /           |  \          |      |      |   -- drywall
 | +--  JB #3   |   +---------+-+   JB #2   |          cutout
 |              |             |  \   |      |
 |  |  PVC  |   |             |   +--+      |
 |  |  Pipe |   |             |             |
    |       |
    |       |
...Stud Bays #2 and 3 are insulated. Stud Bay #1 is not insulated, but has a large PVC pipe running from floor to ceiling right through the center of the bay. i have about 2" of open space between the wallboard and the PVC pipe in that bay.

...originally, i had planned to only cut out holes in the drywall for a regular switch box with plaster ears, fishing NM wire to them and mounting the sconce fixtures to those boxes. the problem with this is that i couldn't find a switch box that has less than a 2" depth to fit on the left.

...so instead i have cut out a section of the drywall that spans across the 3 stud bays, and mounted two 4"x4"x1-1/2" deep j-boxes to the studs. on the left, in Stud Bay #1, i punched out a KO on the left side of the j-box and installed an NM clip in that KO hole. on the right, in Stud Bay #3, i run the NM through the top and bottom of the j-box through NM clips that are mounted on the inside of the back edge of the box (i couldn't do this on the left because there is not enough play between the back of the box and the PVC pipe to allow for the clip fastening screws to protrude at any length out of the back of the j-box - i.e. the back of JB #3 is sitting flush against the PVC pipe).

i have two questions/concerns about JB #3:

1) does it violate code in any way to install a JB in front of the PVC pipe like this, such that the back of the box is sitting flush against the piping?

2) the NM i run to JB #3 has to make a very sharp turn to get into the KO on the left side of the box; this "bend" is pretty much pressed snug between the left side of the j-box and the wooden stud that's just to the left of the box. should i be concerned about this?

TIA. -phil.
 

pkavan

Member
Re: [Q]: Sconce Wiring - Did I do good/bad?

i think if i mount JB #3 to the left side of the bay instead of the right side, i can come into the box from the right or top instead of the left, doing away w/ the bend in the NM.

how about the PVC pipe behind the box, is that a problem?
 

gary

Senior Member
Location
California
Occupation
Retired electrical contractor / general contractor
Re: [Q]: Sconce Wiring - Did I do good/bad?

The J-box in front of the PVC pipe shouldn't be a problem. Just be careful if you run a ground screw through the back of the box. You don't want to poke a hole in the pipe.
 

pkavan

Member
Re: [Q]: Sconce Wiring - Did I do good/bad?

ground screw is on the fixture mount assembly, so no screws will be protruding outside of the back of the j-box.

thanks!
 
A

a.wayne3@verizon.net

Guest
Re: [Q]: Sconce Wiring - Did I do good/bad?

Retro fits can be a real pain....My real concern would be with the nm being pressed against a pipe or a joist beam,especially if this is below a living level.....Vibrations from above and natural expansion and contraction could pose a problem in years to come.When you wanted to use a 2 in. box i assume you mean a metal swith box with plaster ears.These have a cu.in. capacity of 6.75 cu.in. and would be overfilled with a device installed.Cosider using a slater pvc 4 sq. bracket box and p ring if I`m not mistaken these have a cu.in. cap. of 16.5 cu ins and are only 1 1/2 in deep
 
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