Remodel/New work recessed light: accessible junction box?

Sep 24, 2015 1 Replies

I know the NEC prohibits burying an electrical junction box behind a wall. I always wondered about remodel/new work recessed lights. They have a junction box connected to their frame; but once installed, can you really get access to that box??



To me, there doesn't seem to be a way to remove the actual can and access the adjacent junction box without breaking into the sheetrock. Did I miss something?



All comments appreciated. ~Theodore.


"Accessible" means it can be accessed without "disturbing the building finish". If you can get to the box by removing the light, it is accessible. If you put a removable cover on the wall, no matter how well disguised, you could "bury" a box behind it because it was still "accessible".

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