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Page
4 of 7: How
to install switch
on pocket door |
 Adding new switch to
previously installed pocket door?The switch can be surface mounted with surface conduit carrying wire to switch. Or remove drywall and add switch as shown below. Adding new pocket door? If new pocket door needs a switch, then follow directions shown below. Note that wiring must be carefully fit inside the narrow space and cannot rub against pocket door. Use shallow box. Buy: Stud finders at Amazon Wire finder Resource: How to install old work box Basic house wiring |
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Use
shallow box for pocket door. Buy: Shallow wall box |
Caution:
If your casing or trim is 2-1/2" wide, and you want about 1" space
between trim and cover plate, then locate box 3-3/4" to 4"
away from edge of pocket door
frame. Why is this important? This gives you
space for door trim and cover plate, without looking crowded.
If switch is installed too close to trim, and cover plate does not fit, then sand down cover plate using belt sander. Method 1: Install support board. This is best solution. Why? Because box can be installed while drywall is removed, so wires can be easily installed so they don't rub door. Toenail a 3/4" or 1-1/2" board between slats on pocket door frame Attach shallow wall box to board using screws. Be sure to set face of box out 1/2" from flush of pocket door frame so drywall will finish correctly. Box has 1 small KO located in bottom of box for wire... if more holes are needed, drill 3/8" hole into bottom of box. Keep wires away from where door will slide. Why? If door rubs against wires or nails etc, it will scratch the door finish. Electric code: Add a steel nail plate over wire so drywall nails will not penetrate wire. Buy Shallow box |
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 Method
2: Shallow old work box.
Install drywall on wall where switch is to be located. Cut hole to fit box. Caution: The hole must be at least 3/4" above the cross board on pocket door so the flange will open when installing box. Or put notch in board so flange opens. Note: the box and completed wiring must be done after drywall is installed on the wall where switch is located. This means that drywall must remain off on opposite side of wall until wiring is complete. Why? The wire must be pushed tight and attached to pocket door frame with cable staples so the door does not scrape or rub side of pocket door. After wiring is complete and before installing drywall on the other side, you should hang door on track and check there is no contact between door and side of frame or wiring or screws, nails etc. NOTES about electric code: extension cord is not permitted for use as permanent household wiring. An open-back structural box is for communication (internet, TV, doorbell) cable and note for residential 120-240V wiring. Buy Old work shallow box |
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3:
Use
box supports. If you cannot add a board ... then use shallow wall box. Slide a box support along each side of shallow box. Firmly pull support against inside of drywall, then fold the flanges into the box. In this case the wire must enter box from bottom or top. If wire is installed into side of box, then wire on the side will interfere with box supports. Note: the box and completed wiring must be done after drywall is installed on the wall where switch is located. This means that drywall must remain off on opposite side of wall until wiring is complete. Why? The wire must be pushed tight and attached to pocket door frame with cable staples so the door does not scrape or rub side of pocket door.  After
wiring is complete and before installing drywall on the other
side, you should hang door on track and check there is no contact
between door and side of frame or wiring or screws, nails etc.NOTES about electric code: extension cord is not permitted for use as permanent household wiring. An open-back structural box is for communication (internet, TV, doorbell) cable and note for residential 120-240V wiring. |
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| Method 4: Full size
old work box.
Full-depth old work box can be cut down to meet depth. But an open back box is not code. Problem is back of box is open, and must be sealed. Electric tape is not satisfactory, and will come loose. Plastic square box cover can be cut to shape and siliconed to back of old work box...but the silicone is not rated for heat and voltage safety requirement for electrical installation. This solution has same problem as switch box supports shown above where wires cannot be shoved back into hole without risk of rubbing against door. Buy Old work box Old work shallow box Structural or low-voltage bracket/ not code for 120-240V wiring |
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 Electric
wiring:If the old switch was on same wall as pocket door, then length of wire usually becomes a problem since original wire drops down from top plate. This wire travels to the overhead light fixture. Sometimes there is additional wire going to nearby outlet box. BEST solution is to run a new full length piece of wire. It is against code to make a junction and then conceal the junction box, or octagon box inside wall. However, you can use a junction box as long as there is access. For this reason, you can add a sconce light or smoke detector to hide junction box. Install 3/4" shallow wall box for the wall switch. A full-depth box will interfere with the door. Likewise the wire requires careful installation so door does not rub wire. If you drop the wire straight down from top plate, it requires drilling through header, and then cutting through the horizontal slats of pocket door frame... this will seriously weaken the frame unless you add new vertical 1x2 slats between top and bottom of frame, or attach sections with metal strap. Ideal solution is to run a new piece of wire, full length from switch box to ceiling light. Or install octagon junction box (as illustrated) so you can lengthen wire. However: Do NOT conceal junction box inside wall. To solve problem, install battery-powered smoke detector over the octagon box, or add a sconce or track light. Use cable staples to hold wires to 2x4. Keep wire in center of 2x4. To prevent hazard of drywall nails puncturing wire, it is best to nail thin metal plates, typically found in hardware store alongside joist hangers, over the 2x4 where wires pass. Check electric before installing drywall, and mark where wires are to avoid putting nail into the cable (wire). Buy: Smoke detector Sconce light |
 Add extension ring to shallow box
if not
enough space for outletBuy: Electric box extension 1/2 Electric box extension Weatherproof Extension Adapter Carlon FSE box Buy 15 amp GFCI 20 amp GFCI 2) The GFCI can be located inside the main breaker box. |
| More options |
 Another
option: Locate switch on left side of doorUsing this illustration, the light switch could have been dropped down on left side of door with less work, but the real world poses challenges that include a switch on pocket door. |
 Another
option: Reverse direction of pocket door... then locate switch to right of door as illustrated. Disadvantage of this is absence of flooring at bottom of doorway where old bottom plate was cut away. |
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| End
page 4/ How to install
pocket door: Back to page 1 remove old door and trim page 2 cut opening for pocket door page 3 install new frame for pocket door Go to next pages: page 5 install drywall on pocket door page 6 reinstall trim, texture, paint page 7 install handrail on pocket door |
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