Electrical Outlet Inside Bathroom Sink Cabinet

[KJSmith]

We don't know if that is bx or mc.
I said bx because that was what was mentioned.

I prefer mc everywhere..... but bx works.
As far as the code goes.... I don't know.
I couldn't even tell you if Canada goes by our NEC.
I also couldn't tell you if there are local restrictions.
The town I officed in banned bx in the city limits.
I had mc on my truck.

As I said, I would have preferred not having the bx in the cabinet... that would eliminate some of the issues.

Is under a sink considered a wet/damp location?
Not supposed to be wet there.
It is within 6ft of the sink.
I would think GFCI rules apply.

When I saw that commode with the receptacle right by it my first thought was it was a bad choice/ location.

And just to go one further...I am more a spirit of the code guy than a written word guy.
If it's functional and safe, then it's good enough for me.

 

[George7941]

We don't know if that is bx or mc.
I said bx because that was what was mentioned.

I prefer mc everywhere..... but bx works.
As far as the code goes.... I don't know.
I couldn't even tell you if Canada goes by our NEC.
I also couldn't tell you if there are local restrictions.
The town I officed in banned bx in the city limits.
I had mc on my truck.

As I said, I would have preferred not having the bx in the cabinet... that would eliminate some of the issues.

Is under a sink considered a wet/damp location?
Not supposed to be wet there.
It is within 6ft of the sink.
I would think GFCI rules apply.

When I saw that commode with the receptacle right by it my first thought was it was a bad choice/ location.

And just to go one further...I am more a spirit of the code guy than a written word guy.
If it's functional and safe, then it's good enough for me.

I am not a licensed electrician but I did do a lot of new wiring during renovation jobs many years ago when unlicensed people were still permitted to do wiring as long as it got inspected on completion.

The only armoured cables without a full sized copper ground wire I came across were in very old wiring. All the armoured cable available now is MC, so that cable in the pic is definitely MC

 

[George7941]

I guess if the clog is in the wall the trap comes off anyway, maybe condo issues are a little different than the ones I get from my family. The clean out seems to get the job done with minimal work on my part crawling under the cabinet.

Occasionally the clog is inside the wall and not in the trap. You can tell by running the water and seeing how long it takes to back up. If inside the wall, I do not take the trap apart but run my Ridgid snake through the top.

This way hot water can be run while the cable is spinning and helps wash away loosened debris and prevent the clog from reforming.

A bathroom sink clog is one of the most profitable calls a plumber gets because, 90% of the time, it is just hair caught in the pop-up linkage and the trap does not have to be taken apart.

 

[factorytuned2012]

Occasionally the clog is inside the wall and not in the trap. You can tell by running the water and seeing how long it takes to back up. If inside the wall, I do not take the trap apart but run my Ridgid snake through the top.


View attachment 243117
This way hot water can be run while the cable is spinning and helps wash away loosened debris and prevent the clog from reforming.

A bathroom sink clog is one of the most profitable calls a plumber gets because, 90% of the time, it is just hair caught in the pop-up linkage and the trap does not have to be taken apart.

Nice machine

 

[KJSmith]

The only armoured cables without a full sized copper ground wire I came across were in very old wiring. All the armoured cable available now is MC, so that cable in the pic is definitely MC

I am a licensed electrician.....have been for over 35 years.
BX has/had its uses and purpose. If done correctly it was ok.
It just got overused/abused and started being referred to as commercial romex.
Just looked sloppy in a lot of cases..... but MC can also.
MC is an upgrade.

 

[zzyzzx]

Two questions - Why would someone need the outlet inside the cabinet?

They don't need and outlet there. It's a want.

What would they plug in?

Probably nothing, since cabinet space is usually filled up to capacity anyway and the outlet will get blocked. I could see plugging in a light there when doing under sink maintenance.

Isn't it against code to have receptacles inside cabinets?

No, or extremely unlikely in that area.

 

[factorytuned2012]

I had a receptacle in a bathroom vanity for a radio but also speaker wire that went up to a pr of ceiling speakers.

 

[George7941]

Nice machine

I actually have an older version of the machine, invested about $400 altogether, $200 for the machine and then spare cables amd drums. This was about fifteen years ago

I have cleared hundreds of clogs with this machine. At $120 a pop, the ROI has to be the best among all my equipment.

 

[Cropduster172]

Our place was built in 1998. Cable outlets everywhere was a popular then...even in the master bathroom.
Never saw an outlet inside a bathroom vanity though.

 

[Donald]

If it's switched it may be intended for a future garbage disposal install.

In the bathroom?

 

[Donald]

Our place was built in 1998. Cable outlets everywhere was a popular then...even in the master bathroom.
Never saw an outlet inside a bathroom vanity though.

I push Ethernet over cable (coax) for a second Verizon access point upstairs. Works great.

 

[Donald]

No one's considered this?



On a serious note, future recirc pump or aux water heater seem to be possibilities.

Not much of a water heater will run on 120v 15a.

Isn't the recirculating pump for hot water by the hot water heater?

 

[alarmguy]

View attachment 242984

This is in a three year old high end condo built by a very reputable bulder in Toronto.

Two questions - Why would someone need the outlet inside the cabinet? What would they plug in?
Isn't it against code to have receptacles inside cabinets?

I think I figured this out do to the recent post in here regarding bidets.
I would think very possible that outlet was put there for a warm water bidet that requires power.
Makes perfect sense for anyone considering a bidet and doesnt want to settle for cold water and a cold seat.

 

[nomas]

My house was built in the 80's . I have a phone jack next to the toilet in the master bath . When we moved in I hung a phone on it just for the heck of it . Even used it a few times . Did away with landline in 2016 and just put a plate over it .

 

[y_p_w]

I think I figured this out do to the recent post in here regarding bidets.
I would think very possible that outlet was put there for a warm water bidet that requires power.
Makes perfect sense for anyone considering a bidet and doesnt want to settle for cold water and a cold seat.

A powered bidet would need an outlet fairly close to the toilet and not inside a vanity cabinet. None of this makes any sense.

 

[johnmyster]

I do it in my bathrooms. Not aware of code restrictions. I wire it downstream of the GFCI.

Store hairdryer or curling iron in the cabinet (or drawer) without unplugging. Keep your electric toothbrush or shaver charger in there for occasional use without cluttering the countertop.

I put a few in my laundry/pantry cabinets and would do it in a kitchen too. These days, more and more things get recharged, and I hate clutter. Nice to have a charging center inside a cabinet, drawer, etc.