Splicing electrical wires. Code legal?

[atgcpaul]

My dad and I just demoed the kitchen cabinets in their new house. When we
removed the soffits, the electricians ran wire through the soffit, and not
through the studs or between the 2nd floor joists. So now the wires are
hanging loose and aren't even long enough to reach the studs.

It is legal to splice wire (14-2, etc) as long as there is an accessible junction
box, right? I don't like doing it, but the alternative is running at least 8 lines
from the panel to their respective outlets/switches.

Paul

[eezlock]

splicing electrical wires

Yes you can splice electrical wires, if you make the splice in a junction box and done in accordance with all codes. Remember that a junction box cannot be concealed, there must be access to it at anytime.

[crokett]

Yes you can splice. As was said, the splice just has to be accessible. I splice mine with crimps and tape the connections. Takes longer than wire nuts but it takes up less room in the box and is much more secure.

[chopnhack]

ditto to what has been said, just a note....if your cabs are going to ceiling height from where the soffit was removed, you can mount the box at the ceiling height and cutout a portion of the top of the cab to gain access to it. An out of the way spot that just about no one will ever see. If not, you can still get to it via the back of a cab. Make sure you place the box with the correct offset so that you dont need to use an extender after accounting for drywall and cab thickness, plus any spacers that may be used for cab hanging method.

[RAFlorida]

All answer are correct.

Most important is the fact of using a junction box big enough to meet NEC fill space requirements and that said box be accesable(?), meaning you don't have to remove a panel or soffet or anything to get to it.
I might add, be sure to use romex connectors. I've been on jobs where the wire was run in the ko opening w/o any connectors.

[atgcpaul]

Thanks for the input everyone. I am glad I'm on the right track with this. Good
idea about putting the box in the ceiling.

Paul