We're looking at houses and saw one we liked. It's pretty dialed in other than a few minor things. The main one being the location of the light switches in the kitchen.

Basically, they put 6 switches (don't know what all of them are for yet) on the wall where the refridgerator goes, so the switches will be behind the fridge. To move these to the other side of a doorway, all I need to do is put a smaller j-box behind the fridge, connect extension wires to the other side of the door and install a new j-box & switches, right?

Of course, there are cabinets on the other side of the door, so it isn't that easy, but I just wanted to make sure the concept is correct.

 

You have two options:

1.) You could do as you proposed, but you would have to make sure that the switch behind the fridge is always on, otherwise you're going to have two switches in series. Both have to be closed for the circuit to work.

2.) I would cut the wires going to the switch in the back behind the fridge and make your own junction box where you want. Just make sure that you disconnect the power first.

If you can't handle that, call an electrician. Best money you'll ever spend.

 

there should be two wires coming into the switch... why not just extend those wires to whereever u want to go and then cover up the old switch...

 

This is basically what I was suggesting, but you can't just bury wire connections inside the wall - there needs to be a junction box to have access to them. So it would be just a plain plate/cover behind the fridge where new wires connect to existing (no switch), then new wires run to the other side of the door where new junction box with switches would go.

 

You can bury them, it is against most electrical practice but it can be done. I would suggest wire nuts and than electrical tape to hold it all together and prevent a short in the future. I would also patch the dry wall after everything is tested and no need for a plate. But what you are thinking will work.

 

I'd do it. Once the drywall is on, no one will ever know. I would use a wire nut with some heat shrink tubing for good measure. Not a fan of electrical tape for permanent connections.

 

 

exactly!!! job done!!!

 

If the fridge is on a partition wall and beside a door, you could cut a hole in the other side of the wall and flip the existing junction box around...not sure if that would work for you but it would be alot less work!

 

If the wall plate wouldn't end up being behind the fridge, then I would consider it. But since it will be "hidden" anyway, may as well do it properly.

I would never hide electrical connections under drywall. Even if I were to replace vent fans in the bathrooms of my current place.

 

The other side of the wall is the exterior of the house.

 

So....

 

I guess it really depends on where the wires run. In my house, all of the wires for ceiling light switches run up into the attic (one floor house). I've already had to move a switch and I just pulled the wire out of the wall and ran it back down another. Any switches that correspond to plugs are run through the basement. If it's a single story house, you may be able to do the same.

 

I would like to help you Mo, I really would, but I've yet to receive payment on my last consultation






If you still have any questions let me know.

 

Thanks Scott and everyone for the help and info. At this time, it's a moot point since the house in question is off the table.

We are under contract for another place, but I'm trying to keep my hopes in check until after the inspection and appraisals tomorrow.