How to Properly Install a Junction Box in an Attic | Home Guides. Installing a junction box in the attic is much the same as installing one elsewhere. Installing an electrical junction box or J- box in the attic is not much different from installing a J- box anywhere else. The same basic National Electric Code or NEC rules apply. Installing a J- box in the attic is easiest if the attic is unfinished and used for nothing more than storage. As with any electrical project where new devices and wiring is to be installed, you will need to get a wiring permit before you begin work and have your work inspected just as a professional electrician would.
- How to Install a Junction Box. Junction boxes are used any time multiple wires need to be connected. It is against the National Electric Code to simply use wire nuts.
- How to Install an Electrical Junction Box. Junction boxes are typically used for adding another wire into a single electrical circuit.
- Installing an electrical junction box or J-box in the attic is not much different from installing a J-box anywhere else. The same basic National Electric Code or NEC.
- Installing A Junction Box, Wholesale Various High Quality Installing A Junction Box Products from Global Installing A Junction Box Suppliers and Installing A Junction.
Installing A Junction Box Distributors, Wholesale Various High Quality Installing A Junction Box Distributors Products from Global Installing A Junction Box. To install a junction box, first pull the two wires back so that the box can be added. Remove two of the box's knockouts to allow the wires access to the box.
Turn off the all the circuit breakers supplying power to the cables where the J- box is to be installed. Use the noncontact voltage tester to make sure you have turned off the correct circuit breakers before cutting the cables. Before cutting, label the cables with a marker so you will know which wires to splice together inside the J- box.
Mount the J- box to the side of a framing member, such as a wall stud, ceiling rafter or floor beam using two #8 by 1- inch wood screws. Mount the box in such a way that all the cables entering and leaving the box will be set back at least 1 ¼ inches from the face of the stud, rafter or beam. This 1 ¼ inch set- back is required by the NEC to protect the cables from damage by nails or screws. Install one cable connector in the box for each cable entering or leaving the box. Also do not place the box where it will be later covered with insulation or concealed in any other manner. The NEC requires that a J- box be accessible at all times. Install the cable ends in the J- box.
Slide the ends of the cables through the cable connectors until the they extend 6 inches from the front of the box. Secure the cables in place by turning the cable connector's clamping screws in a clockwise direction. Remove the outer jacket from the cable ends using the cable ripper or a utility knife.
Remove ¾ inches of insulation from the ends of the black and the white insulated wires. Be careful when stripping the insulation from the wires that you use the proper notch on the wire strippers. Connect all the bare ground wires together inside the box using a wire nut.
To make the connection, hold all the wire ends side by side and screw on the wire nut. Splice the stripped ends of the black (hot) wires together in the same manner, then the white (neutral) ones. Make sure that you double check your markings on the cables to be sure you have connected the right wires together in the box. After your work has been inspected, you can put the box cover in place and return the circuit breakers to their on position.
Things You Will Need. Noncontact voltage tester. Phillips screwdriver bit. Hammer. Nonmetallic sheathed cable staples. Cable connectors.
Wire cutters. Cable ripper or utility knife. Wire strippers. Plastic wire nuts. About the Author.
Based in Colorado Springs, Colo., Jerry Walch has been writing articles for the DIY market since 1. His work has appeared in “Family Handyman” magazine, “Popular Science,” "Popular Mechanics," “Handy” and other publications. Walch spent 4. 0 years working in the electrical trades and holds an Associate of Applied Science in applied electrical engineering technology from Alvin Junior College. Photo Credits. David Sacks/Lifesize/Getty Images.