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I'm looking to re-use existing wiring to an old utility, that has since been shut down. The wiring is intact, and simply tied off. I find that an electrician has wired double 12-2 wires entering a 4x4 octagon box that has a Thermal Cutoff Switch and is connected to an emergency shut-off switch in another part of our home. A single 12-2 cable then goes down along side the oil furnace to a second service shut-off switch and then into the furnace for the blower, etc.
The same type of wiring also goes to a second Thermal Cutoff Switch box that once serviced an oil-fired hot water heater, and that circuit breaker has been turned off, all wires in the 4x4 box have been separated and twist-locked from use.
Can someone explain the double set of 12-2 cables and how I'd find which are powered from the main panel?
I'd like to use the circuit to power a back up wood furnace, if at all possible. Unfortunately, there are no available un-used circuit breakers or spaces left for new circuit breakers, as all have been put to use. All that remains, is the shut down CB that once serviced the old water heater; 120v. Please help!
Just want to let readers of the forum know what I discovered with some sleep as Daylight brings an answer to my wiring mystery! Guess I was tired after getting the flue pipe/draft control/wood box/circulating blower work done, that the wiring issues should have waited until the next day.
This morning I find that the electrician brought the power feed to a junction box. From there the (white) went to the furnace wiring via a wire-nut, the (black) connected to the (white) wire in the 2nd 12-2 cable which goes to an emergency shut-off switch on the main floor. The (black) on the other side of the switch then returns to the junction box where it connects to the Thermal Cutoff Switch then onto the furnace to complete the circuit.
A good night’s rest and daylight brings the old noggin back from the dead. Sorry for any confusion that my weak brain matter may have caused.
