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ives2291 · Dec 31, 2007, 01:53 PM

Have just bough a home that all of the light switches are a foot high. Is there a device made to extend Romex without having to use a junction box above every switch. I want to get them to "ADA" height.

labman · Dec 31, 2007, 01:59 PM

If you have an unfinished basement or crawl space, you may be able set boxes there and make the splice. If the wiring comes down from an attic, same there.

pelle · Dec 31, 2007, 05:39 PM

Labman has a good way for looks.. If his way will not work you can always use the existing switch box as a junction box for the splice and pull wire up to the new box at the correct height. The problem is you can NOT bury the junction box you would have to use low profile blank covers and paint or wallpaper over them to match the wall this way you would have access if there was a problem.
Like I said labman's way will work well if the access is available.

KISS · Dec 31, 2007, 06:25 PM

Actually, this product seems to be approved for old work in concealed, finished locations for extending Romex connections without a junction box except in NY.
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http://www.ampnetconnect.com/documen...n_Rev3_Web.pdf

Remember that local codes prevail.

labman · Dec 31, 2007, 08:26 PM

I would definitely run those connectors by the local AHJ before buying any.

Thinking about the whole project some more. Pull the cover off and maybe the switch out. Count the cables in the box. If you only have one cable coming down from the top, it is a switch loop. All you will need to do is cut a hole where you want the switch, reach down in and cut the cable off. Pull the end out, slip it into an old work box, prepare the end of the wire, mark the white wire black, connect the 2 wires to the two screws on the switch plus the ground. Then push the box into the hole and tighten the screws up to lock it to the drywall.

You can then remove the old box and patch the hole.

Note! Who would install switches a foot off the floor? If it was a retrofit, could there be splices under your drywall? I would examine the walls for tell tale patches with a shop light.

Cobraguy · Jan 1, 2008, 05:57 AM

I really hate "blade" connectors for ANY type of splice in any application. From residential to automotive. Those connectors seem to be blade connectors. But I have to tell you, they are a very good solution to an ugly problem in the right circumstance.

pelle · Jan 1, 2008, 09:35 AM

Curious as to what TK would say about these..

labman · Jan 1, 2008, 10:53 AM

When it comes to a technical point, while we have some other good people here, his is the only opinion I trust. I thought Cobraguy made a good point. You can't drywall over a good wire nut, but you can a blade connection?

When push comes to shove, it is the local AHJ that counts.

pelle · Jan 1, 2008, 06:27 PM

Labman,
Agree completely, just curious what TK thinks or if he has any history that he has seen on the success or failure of these type connectors.

tkrussell · Jan 2, 2008, 04:44 AM

The Amp devices are pretty neat, they do work well, very popular with modular and manufactured home wiring.

Even thou they are allowed to be concealed in old work only, that is the only problem I have. Murphys Law will mean that a hidden connection will have a problem. That is OK as long as someone knows where the connection is.

I agree with Labman, that the local inspector should be consulted with, just to be sure.

I was wondering about the switches only one foot above floor myself.

parttime · Jan 2, 2008, 05:05 AM

Originally Posted by ives2291

Have just bough a home that all of the light switches are a foot high. Is there a device made to extend Romex without having to use a junction box above every switch. I want to get them to "ADA" height.

I thought he meant the switches are just one foot to high to meet ada standards. Maybe we'll see

Cobraguy · Jan 2, 2008, 05:56 AM

Originally Posted by tkrussell

I was wondering about the switches only one foot above floor myself.

My initial thought was the home was built for someone in a wheel chair. Still, that's pretty low for that too.

parttime · Jan 2, 2008, 06:00 AM

Originally Posted by Cobraguy

My initial thought was the home was built for someone in a wheel chair. Still, that's pretty low for that too.

I think that 54" is the height for ada standards, how high are switches usually mounted?

labman · Jan 2, 2008, 10:43 AM

The ones in my house are about 46''-47''. 54'', that would be a tough reach for the assistance dog. I have a video of the one puppy, Pepper, we raised turning light switches on and off.

I spent some time paging through my 1991 vintage copy of the ADA. I found nothing on switches, but the general rule on reaching seemed to be 48'' high forward, and 54'' to the side. Those are the maximum allowed. I found one 9'' minimum.

Some of the people in wheel chars have more problems than just not being able to walk. It is possible somebody in a wheelchair could reach down, but not up. In the video I mentioned above, it is Pepper and a trainer in a wheel chair. In the one scene, the trainer lets his arm fall off the arm rest. Pepper nudges his arm back up on the arm rest. It starts with Pepper picking up his wallet and other stuff off the floor. He keeps dropping them and she has to pick them up again. I felt like slapping the guy. The school can't tell us anything about the person that gets out puppy, why the person needs a dog or what is wrong with them, medical privacy you know.

Our one nephew is in a wheelchair. He has gone off to college with his assistance dog. Once when he and his 3 brothers were still at home, they had visitors. The 12 year old girl went to the bathroom. She cam back complaining to er mother that it had no door. To make it so a wheel chair would go through it, they ahd installed a wide pocket door. There was a door, the girl just didn't realize she need to pull it out of the wall.