Home Repair forum - Ceiling mounted outlets

Author

Ceiling mounted outlets

dnoyeB

2006-04-03, 4:21 pm

I am installing a projector in my basement and it will be on the
ceiling. I intend to install an outlet there rather than run an
extension coard above my ceiling tiles.

Is there any thing I should be concerned about, or typical code
requirements? Can I install the outlet above the ceiling tiles, or does
the outlet have to be exposed below the tiles? Do plugged in devices
have to have immediate access to the plug in location, or is it ok that
its hidden behind a ceiling tile?

I intent to simply mount a box on a ceiling joist, install an outlet,
and a faceplate, and call it a day. Is that ok?

I don't really want to call an electrician and pull a permit for this,
but I suppose I can if its absolutely necessary.

--
Thank you,

"Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes 9:16

PipeDown

2006-04-03, 6:21 pm

As long as you use 12-2 romex instead of a salvaged extension cord and
hardwire the new J box and its source you should be fine.

Normally you cannot bury a J box inside a wall or ceiling but in your case
where the tile is easily and obviously removable I would consider that OK.

Technically you probably do need a permit but for such a small
job...................... (you do not need an electrician if you feel you
can DIY unless you live in one of those oppressive cities which ban
electrical and plumbing by non licensed people)

In a basement, you may want to put it in a GFCI receptacle upstream, if not
done already.

"dnoyeB" <Fake@ThisOneIsFake.com> wrote in message
news:8rqdnXX9iZ5V7qzZRVn-uQ@comcast.com...
>I am installing a projector in my basement and it will be on the ceiling.
>I intend to install an outlet there rather than run an extension coard
>above my ceiling tiles.
>
> Is there any thing I should be concerned about, or typical code
> requirements? Can I install the outlet above the ceiling tiles, or does
> the outlet have to be exposed below the tiles? Do plugged in devices have
> to have immediate access to the plug in location, or is it ok that its
> hidden behind a ceiling tile?
>
> I intent to simply mount a box on a ceiling joist, install an outlet, and
> a faceplate, and call it a day. Is that ok?
>
> I don't really want to call an electrician and pull a permit for this, but
> I suppose I can if its absolutely necessary.
>
>
>
> --
> Thank you,
>
>
>
> "Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
> man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes
> 9:16

dnoyeB

2006-04-03, 11:21 pm

PipeDown wrote:
> As long as you use 12-2 romex instead of a salvaged extension cord and
> hardwire the new J box and its source you should be fine.
>
> Normally you cannot bury a J box inside a wall or ceiling but in your case
> where the tile is easily and obviously removable I would consider that OK.
>
> Technically you probably do need a permit but for such a small
> job...................... (you do not need an electrician if you feel you
> can DIY unless you live in one of those oppressive cities which ban
> electrical and plumbing by non licensed people)
>
> In a basement, you may want to put it in a GFCI receptacle upstream, if not
> done already.
>
>
>

My fuse panel uses GFCI breakers for most of the basement circuits.
Hmm. Now I wonder why I put that GFCI in the basement bathroom...

I intend to use the proper wire and tie it into a circuit I have in a
nearby wall. that circuit is 14-2 and only has 3 outlets and bathroom
lights on it. Hopefully thats not too much.

--
Thank you,

"Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes 9:16

Toller

2006-04-04, 1:21 am

"dnoyeB" <Fake@ThisOneIsFake.com> wrote in message
news:0Y-dnetUtoV1UazZRVn-tQ@comcast.com...
> PipeDown wrote:
>
> My fuse panel uses GFCI breakers for most of the basement circuits. Hmm.
> Now I wonder why I put that GFCI in the basement bathroom...
>
Probably because it is a pain to run to the breaker box when you trip a
GFCI.

> I intend to use the proper wire and tie it into a circuit I have in a
> nearby wall. that circuit is 14-2 and only has 3 outlets and bathroom
> lights on it. Hopefully thats not too much.
>
>
Depends on what it is.
Bathroom outlets have to be #12 and cannot share with non-bathroom uses.

PipeDown

2006-04-04, 3:21 pm

"dnoyeB" <Fake@ThisOneIsFake.com> wrote in message
news:0Y-dnetUtoV1UazZRVn-tQ@comcast.com...
> PipeDown wrote:
>
> My fuse panel uses GFCI breakers for most of the basement circuits. Hmm.
> Now I wonder why I put that GFCI in the basement bathroom...
>
> I intend to use the proper wire and tie it into a circuit I have in a
> nearby wall. that circuit is 14-2 and only has 3 outlets and bathroom
> lights on it. Hopefully thats not too much.
>
>
14-2 is fine as long as there is a 15A breaker feeding it.

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