Install Old Work Box

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2011

Install Old Work Box:

Wall covered with sheetrock? use Old Work Box shown below:

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Instructions Cut 2-1/4" x 3-3/4" hole in sheetrock using knife or saw > find electric wire inside wall > pull electric wire through hole > feed wire into box > set box into hole > turn screws so pop-up fin tightens against inside of sheetrock > install switch.

Note: Water Heater Timer requires only one box and one wire.
old work box

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14-2 romex

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I use GE 15070 timer to control water heater
Eye-level installation: easy to change times, set override, reset current time after power outage and seasonal time-change, and turn water heater ON-and-OFF manually to override timer function.
15-minute timer intervals: Summertime 15-30 minutes for shower, wintertimer 30-45 minutes for shower.
Image shows timer mounted on wall below attic light switch. Timer is same size as typical ligh switch

See timer installation

How to drop wire into wall covered with sheetrock

View from inside attic

Step 1) Locate wall from inside attic

1.Before going in attic, choose wall for switch

2. Avoid walls with pocket door or plumbing pipes or exterior walls with insulation

3. Go in attic and estimate location of wall

4. Pull back insulation & find top plate as shown

5. Measure exact location or have helper tap on wall from below

Cut-away view of interior wall

Step 2) Drill hole and drop wire into wall

If another wire already drops through top plate where you want your wire, see if your wire will push through same hole. If you have to drill, move over several inches from existing hole so drill won't contact wires.

When drilling through top plate 3 things may occur:
1.) You may hit a nail > drill another hole
2.) You may hit top of upright 2x4 > drill another hole
3.) You may drill into the wrong cavity > that's why you drill through top plate before cutting hole in sheetrock

Tip: after drilling hole in top plate - and - before cutting hole in sheetrock, drop your wire into wall and have helper rattle it around to make sure you're in the right spot. Put timer at eye-level so it's easy to program.

Back to Page 1: Gather materials to install timer

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