Wireway or Rectangular Box

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Pierre C Belarge

Pierre C Belarge

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Westchester County, New York
When is a rectangular box a box, and when is a rectanular box a wireway?

Is this decided as a percentage of length/width?

There are some substantial differences between the two types of enclosures that can make or break and installation.
 
I found this on a site.

"Wireways and cable troughs are designed to protect electrical wires from dust, dirt, water and oil. There are three basic types of products: lay-in wireways, pull-through wireways, and cable troughs. Lay-in wireways are open on one side to allow the placement of wire without feeding through. Products are available in straight lengths of 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 48, 60, 72, and 120 inches (in). Pull-through (feed-through, sectional) wireways are also available. Nominal cross-sectional sizes include 2 in. x 2 in., 2.5 in. x 2.5 in., 3 in. x 3 in., 4 in. x 4 in., 6 in. x 6 in., 8 in. x 8 in., 10 in. x 10 in., 12 in. x 6 in., and 12 in. x 12 in. Other cross-sectional sizes are also available. Wiring troughs or cable troughs are completely enclosed and are often rated by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), a non-profit organization that recommends safety standards for electrical equipment. There are three basic cover styles for wireways and cable troughs: screw-on, snap-on, and hinged. Common materials of construction include steel, stainless steel, fiberglass, plastic and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)."


This is not official, but it does provide some direction.
 
I don't think that you'll find a written distinction between the two but IMO there should be one.
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
When is a rectangular box a box, and when is a rectanular box a wireway?

Is this decided as a percentage of length/width?

There are some substantial differences between the two types of enclosures that can make or break and installation.
Click to expand...
What rules are you thinking of?
 
I'm thinking it's not a box if it's not listed in 314.16(A) Metal boxes chart.

See the verbiage in 314.16(A) and 314.16(B) in particular - about the 100 Cubic inches.

314.28 Keeps you from damaging conductors

366.22 gives consideration to ampacity within a space (20% rule)

Keep reading through 362.23 too.

Not so much gray area, and having to pay attention to what the application is.
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
When is a rectangular box a box, and when is a rectanular box a wireway?

Is this decided as a percentage of length/width?

There are some substantial differences between the two types of enclosures that can make or break and installation.
Click to expand...

Pierre C Belarge
I'm assuming metal boxes, wireways, ect......
Do you have a copy of the UL White Book, especially on your computer? Having that reference has cleared up a lot of questions that I once had in regard to your original question. To my surprise, per the NEC, there are limited requirements for any of the enclosures in question to be listed, but if they are listed by UL (which most are) then it is relatively easy to pick them a part.

UL White Book (areas related to this topic)
(BGUZ) Boxes, Junction and Pull
(QCIT) Metallic Outlet Boxes
(CYIV) Cabinets and Cutout Boxes
(ZOYX) WIREWAY, AUXILIARY GUTTERS AND ASSOCIATED FITTINGS
 
ibew441dc said:
Pierre C Belarge
I'm assuming metal boxes, wireways, ect......
Do you have a copy of the UL White Book, especially on your computer? Having that reference has cleared up a lot of questions that I once had in regard to your original question. To my surprise, per the NEC, there are limited requirements for any of the enclosures in question to be listed, but if they are listed by UL (which most are) then it is relatively easy to pick them a part.


UL White Book (areas related to this topic)
(BGUZ) Boxes, Junction and Pull
(QCIT) Metallic Outlet Boxes
(CYIV) Cabinets and Cutout Boxes
(ZOYX) WIREWAY, AUXILIARY GUTTERS AND ASSOCIATED FITTINGS
Click to expand...


I was thinking more about boxes that local sheet metal companies are manufacturing for installation.
I do not see a listing requirement in 314 or 376 (other than wet locations), so these are manufactured locally, especially when an odd sized or large box is needed.
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
I was thinking more about boxes that local sheet metal companies are manufacturing for installation.
I do not see a listing requirement in 314 or 376 (other than wet locations), so these are manufactured locally, especially when an odd sized or large box is needed.
Click to expand...

I'm on the same page with your thinking. If it is not listed, how does one determine what type of enclosure it is?

My short answer for unlisted boxes and/or wireways is......

IMO defining an outlet or device box is easy enough. If the box is made to the same dimensions as 314.16 and complies with other sections...than its pretty straight forward. (I know, I know....what if one uses that box for only pull/junction.....I still think it follows under an outlet or device category.)

As for boxes larger than the dimensions 314.16.....they are pull or junction boxes.

So what is a wireway.... An unlisted wireway is a box that one could take the ends off of, and extend its capacity, change direction, ect.

Again....just the above is just a short opinion......I am aware of installations where for one reason or another a contractor made there own stuff(especially wireways). But for the great majority of installs, listed stuff is being used and is easy to tell the difference.
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
I was thinking more about boxes that local sheet metal companies are manufacturing for installation.
I do not see a listing requirement in 314 or 376 (other than wet locations), so these are manufactured locally, especially when an odd sized or large box is needed.
Click to expand...
I had a feeling you were going to end up discussing unlisted fabrications... and hence no comment from me (prior to now ;)).

IMO, a fabrication as such can be either, whichever yields the most leniency for the actual installation. That is to say, if it is compliant under either Article, then it doesn't matter which it is. If it is only compliant under one Article, then it is what it is. If it is not compliant under either article, then something will have to change :rolleyes::grin:
 
Smart $ said:
I had a feeling you were going to end up discussing unlisted fabrications... and hence no comment from me (prior to now ;)).

IMO, a fabrication as such can be either, whichever yields the most leniency for the actual installation. That is to say, if it is compliant under either Article, then it doesn't matter which it is. If it is only compliant under one Article, then it is what it is. If it is not compliant under either article, then something will have to change :rolleyes::grin:
Click to expand...

IMO,If they are not listed and in question....
If its got 6 sides and it is square or rectangular its a box....

If it has more than 6 sides it is a wireway.....(shaped like a T, a cross,ect.)
 
Smart
That is what I like about this site...enough responses for me to be able to start formulating an idea of how to determine what is and what is not a wireway.


Dan
"So what is a wireway.... An unlisted wireway is a box that one could take the ends off of, and extend its capacity, change direction, ect."

I like this train of though...:grin:
 
ibew441dc said:
IMO,If they are not listed and in question....
If its got 6 sides and it is square or rectangular its a box....

If it has more than 6 sides it is a wireway.....(shaped like a T, a cross,ect.)
Click to expand...
Perhaps... but the CODE does not make that distinguishment, and leaves Pierre up a creek ;)
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
Smart
That is what I like about this site...enough responses for me to be able to start formulating an idea of how to determine what is and what is not a wireway.


Dan
"So what is a wireway.... An unlisted wireway is a box that one could take the ends off of, and extend its capacity, change direction, ect."

I like this train of though...:grin:
Click to expand...
I would consider a trough or a wiremold raceway a wireway an I would consider a box even if a custom dimension a box a fixed dimension.
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
Dan
"So what is a wireway.... An unlisted wireway is a box that one could take the ends off of, and extend its capacity, change direction, ect."

I like this train of though...:grin:
Click to expand...
...but isn't that true of any box fabricated as a box, too. Can a box not be refabricated to be a wireway???
 
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