Electrical wiring through insulated attic

ChicoQuente wrote: ↑ You are correct that you need to run along the sides/through drill holes as opposed to running on the top face where they can be stepped on.

I would push the cable through the vapour barrier and then use some tuck tape around the opening to keep it as sealed as possible.

vahk33 wrote: ↑ Thanks. I can not wire straight, right? I should go towards rafters and then wire through?

ChicoQuente wrote: ↑ I don’t understand what you mean.

If you mean laying the wire loose from light to light then no you can not do that. If you’re running along the side of the rafter you need S1 staples to support the cable. If you’re running perpendicular (through drill holes) those count as support instead of staples.

ChicoQuente wrote: ↑ You are correct that you need to run along the sides/through drill holes as opposed to running on the top face where they can be stepped on.

I would push the cable through the vapour barrier and then use some tuck tape around the opening to keep it as sealed as possible.

vahk33 wrote: ↑ Hey, I was checking another thread and I wonder if I need ESA permit when I'm doing my electrical work like this single potlight installation?

IndyBeak wrote: ↑ Technically Yes.

vahk33 wrote: ↑ I have an electrician that replaced the switch with a dimmer. No inspection has been done. What happens in this case? Or what happens if I don't get one? If I get an inspection I would wait for summer, to finish all electrical and then get an inspection for everything together.

vahk33 wrote: ↑ Ok called them and got the answers. They were not confident about the dimmer and said probably not required if you replaced a switch with dimmer. for pot lights, I can get inspection scheduled for this one and ask them wait for summer to schedule the rest. Simply you pay one fee for all the potlights but inspection for remaining items will be scheduled during summer.

SubjectivelyObjective wrote: ↑ The box is staying in the same location and you're not touching the wires or anything else, so no permit is required in this case.

There is usually one inspection for rough in and one inspection for final, however it may differ if its only potlights and depending on your inspector. Might just need pics for the final one. IIRC you can leave your permit open for a year without any issues.

Lastly, with potlights you always have to be careful for number of devices. You're adding to an existing circuit that probably has an outlet or something else that isn't a fixed load on it. If thats the case, you are limited to 12 fixtures/devices.

How many potlights are you planning to install, and how much is on that circuit already. For most of the rooms I added potlights too, I ended up running a dedicated circuit, or switching some things around accordingly.

Edit: The fees you pay are for one rough in and one final inspection. So if you're splitting up the work on one permit, you will have to pay extra for another inspection, however, still cheaper than a new permit.

vahk33 wrote: ↑ In my son's room I'm adding just 1 pot light to existing fixture. Later this year I'm going to add 8 potlights to existing light fixture in the living room. Will that be ok?

SubjectivelyObjective wrote: ↑ If your existing circuit already has 12 lights and outlets, it would not be allowed, but hopefully it's not maxxed out.

I assume you would likely not be able to add 8 lights, but count up what's on that circuit, but odds of being 4 or less is probably pretty slim.

SubjectivelyObjective wrote: ↑ If your existing circuit already has 12 lights and outlets, it would not be allowed, but hopefully it's not maxxed out.

I assume you would likely not be able to add 8 lights, but count up what's on that circuit, but odds of being 4 or less is probably pretty slim.

ditachan wrote: ↑ 12 max rule isn't required if the load of each lighting is known and there are ONLY lighting and no outlets. If all devices on the circuit are led lights then he can just do load calculation to ensure he's not reaching max.
rule 8-304

vahk33 wrote: ↑I guess I have many things on the circuit. I think in this case I will need an electrician

vahk33 wrote: ↑ Hmm, so to count those I need to switch circuit breaker and count what's disabled? I'm totally new to this. Thanks for explaining all these

RCLapCar wrote: ↑ One of the first things I did when I moved into my new house was to map out what circuit every light and outlet and electrical device was on. I kept it all organized so that if I need to make any changes or updates I can refer to my notes to see what effect the change would have or if it would be ok to do. Also when you get an electrician in it gives them a head start when they may have to do the same thing as well.

SubjectivelyObjective wrote: ↑ This is true, but I think the odds are that 99% of circuits in homes have an outlet on them, which means you cant calculate a fixed load.



As per the above, if you have an outlet or other non fixed load on the circuit, then the rule of 12 applies.

If the 8 pot lights is going to put you over the limit, then you'll have to run a new circuit from your panel. Complexity will vary based on where you room is from the panel and how easy it will be to fish the new wire.