Hidden receptacles

8 years ago

I know it's against code to have an inaccessible junction box, but does that apply to an unused receptacle? If it's hidden by being behind a bookcase? If it has an extension cord plugged into it and is behind a bookcase? What if the bookcase is screwed to the wall? What if it is behind a piano, with a piano lamp plugged into it? I know these are details, but I would like to know. Ron?

Featured Answer

greg_2015

8 years ago

"Inaccessible" means that you have to damage a permanent part of the structure to get access to it.

So having receptacles behind pieces of furniture is fine.

A bookcase screwed to the wall? This may be in more of the grey zone. If the bookcase is built-in then a junction box can't be behind it. But is it considered 'built-in' if it's a freestanding bookshelf that is just screwed into the wall so that it can't tip over? I'd say that's fine. But there would be a point where 'free-standing' turns to 'built-in'.

The extension cord issue is separate. Extension cords are listed for 'temporary use'. So you aren't supposed to have them being constantly used (although many people do). However, extension cord use wouldn't fall under the NEC codes. The NEC just concerns itself with the house wiring, not what you plug into it.

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Comments (8)

Ron Natalie
8 years ago
Actually, it's defined "Capable of being removed or exposed without damaging the building structure or finish or not permanently closed in by the structure or finish of the building."

Behind bookcases and pianos are fine.
The code hates extension cords but stops short of banning them. The limitation is you can't use them in lieu of building wiring.

So unless we're talking about the piano built into the wall at the FLW home and studio (pretty impressive) or a bookcase that's permanently attached to the wall, I would say you are fine. Unscrewing a mounted bookcase (provided doing so won't damage anything in the process) is OK as well. Hell, you have to take screws out to get to panels and junction boxes.
mtvhike thanked Ron Natalie
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mtvhike
Original Author
8 years ago
The only reason I'm asking this is that at my work I was cited for having a surge-protected strip outlet plugged into another one. To eliminate this, I would have to move a bookcase and plug one into the receptacle behind it. They have a rule against any extension cords or strip outlets daisy chained together. Somehow, they don't count strip outlets as extension cords; perhaps it's because they have circuit breakers.
kudzu9
8 years ago
A couple of questions:

1. Why is this your problem and not the company's?

2. You don't clearly explain what the layout of your office space is and where the equipment you're plugging in is, but could you solve this by buying a surge protector with an extra long cord and a lot of outlets? (You can easily find them with cords up to 25' long on Amazon.) Or is the issue simply that you don't want to move a bookcase temporarily?
mtvhike
Original Author
8 years ago
This is a university and we have to do everything according to their rules. Their fire inspector came into my office and cited me for the offenses I mentioned above. I solved the problem essentially the way you suggest, kudzu.
Ron Natalie
8 years ago
So you have a piano in your office, I'm so jealous. The best I ever had was an 88 key midi controller and a synth.
mtvhike
Original Author
8 years ago
No, Ron, my piano is at home, but there is a receptacle behind it into which is plugged a lamp!!
Ron Natalie
8 years ago
I wish I had put a receptacle under my piano for the lamp and the player mechanism. I wasn't thinking when I had the floors put in (I have them other places in the room).