What to do with Unused Electrical Circuit Wiring
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How do I disconnect the electrical wires and leave them in the panel for future use? Disconnecting Unused Electrical Wires, How to Keep Spare Electrical Wiring Safe for Future Use. |
Safe Keeping for Unused Electrical Wires
Electrical Question: How do I disconnect the electrical wires and leave them in the panel for future use?
- I installed a gas furnace and want to use the old furnace circuit.
- How do I correctly disconnect the electrical wire to the furnace to leave it in the panel for future use?
This home electrical question came from: Corine, a Homeowner from Auburn, Washington.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electric wiring question Corine.
Disconnecting Unused Electrical Wires
Application: Disconnecting Electrical Circuit Wiring.
Skill Level: Advanced – Best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor or Certified Electrician.
Tools Required: Electricians Pouch of Hand Tools for Rough-In Wiring, Electric Drill and Auger Bits and Extension Cord.
Estimated Time: Depends on the extent of the project, the type of construction and available access to the project area.
Precaution: The existing furnace circuit should be identified and turned OFF and Tagged.
Notice: Installing additional electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.
How to Keep Electrical Wiring Safe for Future Use
The process of disconnecting and safe keeping of unused electrical wires to be available for future use.
- Identify the old furnace circuit at the electrical panel.
- Turn the circuit breaker into the OFF position.
- At the old furnace location, the circuit wiring should be completely disconnected and removed from the old furnace.
- Install the circuit cable into a junction box where each insulated wire is capped off using wire nuts or insulated wire connectors, then place a blank cover over the junction box.
- A surface mounted junction box is typically installed for this procedure when the box is sized appropriately for the size of the circuit wires.
- The exact type of junction box will depend on the location and available access to the circuit cable.
- The junction box should have a clamp or fastener for the cable, and the cable should be secured using a cable strap or staple where the cable is exposed before entering the junction box.
- The circuit breaker should now be relabeled as the old furnace circuit and that it is unused or spare.
IMPORTANT:
Electrical panels have exposed wiring and components that are energized with electricity. It is not recommended that homeowners perform work in electrical panels but rather contact a qualified electrician who has experience working in home electrical panels.
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Electric Circuit Listing
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Electrical Wire for the Home
- Complete listing of electrical wire types and parts used for home projects with electrical code information serves as selection guidelines.
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Electrical Junction Box Splice
- Electrical junction box splices can be made safely when you understand the method. This example will show you how its done step by step and shows how to make a junction box splice and the related electrical codes.
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Where in the code does it say I have to use industrial inuse covers?
Hi Jason,
NEC Article 406.8 mentions the requirement for metal while-in-use covers for receptacles in damp or wet locations.
I hope this helps,
Dave