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Wiring problems and mistakes are all too common, and if left uncorrected have the potential to
cause short circuits, shocks and even fires. Here's what to look for and how to fix what you find.
Where connections aren't contained in an electrical box, install a box and reconnect the wires inside it.
The photo shows one way to do this for an exterior light mounted on wood siding.
If you run into short wires, there's an easy fix. Simply add 6-in. extensions onto the existing wires. The
photo shows a type of wire connector that's easier to install in tight spots. You'll find these in hardware
stores and home centers.
It's easy to damage plastic- sheathed cable that's left exposed between framing members. That's why the
electrical code requires cable to be protected in these areas. Cable is especially vulnerable when it's run
over or under wall or ceiling framing, as shown here.
Solution: Install a 2 x 2
Protect exposed plastic- sheathed cable by nailing or screwing a 1-1/2-in.-thick board alongside the cable.
You don't have to staple the cable to the board.
The fix is simply to install a metal or plastic box extension. If you use a metal box extension on a plastic
box, connect the metal extension to the ground wire in the box using a grounding clip and a short piece of
wire.
cable must be stapled within 12 in. of the box. Cables must be connected to metal boxes with an
approved cable clamp.
Solution: Install a clamp
Make sure the sheathing on the cable is trapped under the clamp, and that about 1/4 in. of sheathing is
visible inside the box. Some metal boxes have built-in cable clamps. If the box youre using doesn't
include clamps, buy clamps separately and install them when you add the cable to the box.
Too many wires stuffed into a box can cause dangerous overheating, short-circuiting and fire. The
National Electrical Code specifies minimum box sizes to reduce this risk.
Solution: Install a larger box
To figure the minimum box size required, add up the items in the box:
1 - for each hot wire and neutral wire entering the box
1 - for all the ground wires combined
1 - for all the cable clamps combined
2 - for each device (switch or outletbut not light fixtures)
Multiply the total by 2.00 for 14-gauge wire and by 2.25 for 12-gauge wire to get the minimum box size
required in cubic inches. Then choose a box with at least this much volume. Plastic boxes have the
volume stamped inside, usually on the back. Steel box capacities are listed in the electrical code. Steel
boxes wont be labeled, so you'll have to measure the height, width and depth of the interior. Then
multiply to find the volume.