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soyuppy · Nov 12, 2007, 09:12 PM

I'm planning to add a new switch for recess lighting. I've located the hot source for the switch not too far on the same wall where the switch will be. If I cut up the wall where the source is and then just do a 3 ways splice using wire nuts and then close the wall, is this sufficient? I know that the code call for junction but, but thiswould also mean that I have to open up the wall for that junction box for accessibility... which I don't want.

Thanks for any info

labman · Nov 12, 2007, 09:25 PM

I am pretty sure the answer is going to be the splice must be in an accessible box. I am posting to suggest you post more details of the layout so others can suggest alternatives. What is on the other side of the wall? Would the box cover be less obtrusive there?

soyuppy · Nov 12, 2007, 11:12 PM

Originally Posted by labman

I am pretty sure the answer is going to be the splice must be in an accessible box. I am posting to suggest you post more details of the layout so others can suggest alternatives. What is on the other side of the wall? Would the box cover be less obtrusive there?

OK... Here's some more detail. The exact scenario is not exactly what I described. I was trying not to make it more detail as it may be too narrative and boring... but here goes.

On the ceiling of the family room, there exist a 3-wire cable. 1 Black, 1 Red, 1 White, 1 Ground. This wire lead to 2 separate independent switches on one end. On the end it lead to a ceiling fan fixture/outlet. So I can install the fan along with the light. Most of the modern fan now can have both light and fan through just ONE single hot. So I install the fan along with the light using only one black + white + ground. Leaving the Red and its associate switch unused.

Now, the desire is to put some recess light around the 12x20 room. The switch is already avail and ready. Routing the cable for the recess light should not be too difficult(I hope). So getting the power to the light would be a matter of tapping on and making use of that existing unused Red.

So that sums it up my desire to just splice get to the Red. I'm not sure how else I can do this, without having to cut so many holes. And my frame are all steel, not condusive to drilling to route cable.

Stratmando · Nov 13, 2007, 10:06 AM

I would connect from Fan Box red wire directly to first can. Connections will only be made in fan box and recessed can. No extra holes or connections.
Most light/fans can be powered by 1 switch. To control separately, you will need a receiver
/transmitter combo.

labman · Nov 13, 2007, 12:06 PM

Yeah, if you have an unfinished attic above the room you could easily tie a black white, ground cable to the red, white, ground at the fan box and run over to the first recessed light, and then on to the rest. If not, you may have to give up the recessed lights, or tack up the Wire Mold surface mount stuff.