1” emt to a 4 square

[Pinnie]

In the company I work for, guys will knockout or drill out a hole for a 1” emt into a four square. I think even as a pull box you would be over on a full boat 10 AWG pull, but what is the legality of such a modification?

 

[infinity]

You can punch or drill it for a 1 3/8" hole if needed. The box fill doesn't change based on the raceway entry size. Regarding the #10's a standard depth 1900 box allows 6 and 2 1/8" deep allows 8.

 

[qcroanoke]

They make 4" squares with 1" K.O.'s

 

[Pinnie]

If you pulling 10 AWGs 3/4 accomplishes as many circuits as 1” so those 4 squares would serve only the purpose of pulling larger wire.

Where in NEC do we learn limits of modifications?

 

[electrofelon]

Where in NEC do we learn limits of modifications?

The NEC doesn't cover a specifics of modifications. It really comes down just to 110.3 and what is acceptable to the AHJ. I have a hard time seeing punching a hole or enlarging a hole in a box as being unacceptable. Unfortunately though, there's a large movement in the inspector/AHJ community to demote electricians to installers and not allow them to make any decisions or make any necessary field modifications. Why they trust the listing people so much after all their failures is beyond me.

 

[infinity]

If you pulling 10 AWGs 3/4 accomplishes as many circuits as 1” so those 4 squares would serve only the purpose of pulling larger wire.

Where in NEC do we learn limits of modifications?

Not sure I understand what limits of modifications means. Boxes can be punched, many come with no holes in them at all. You can always installed an extension box to increase the number of conductors allowed.

 

[Pinnie]

Not sure I understand what limits of modifications means. Boxes can be punched, many come with no holes in them at all. You can always installed an extension box to increase the number of conductors allowed.

I guess I’m wondering what we are “supposed” to do. Lookup to ul listing on each box/enclosure and see if they allow us to punch holes in boxes that have predetermined knockouts?

 

[hbiss]

I guess I’m wondering what we are “supposed” to do. Lookup to ul listing on each box/enclosure and see if they allow us to punch holes in boxes that have predetermined knockouts?

No. Just go ahead and punch them!

-Hal

 

[Dsg319]

No. Just go ahead and punch them!

-Hal

And don’t look back.

 

[Dsg319]

I’ve seen 1.5” rigid into a 4sqaure box. Crazy looking barely any metal left after they punched it.

Thermostat wiring with tray cable. Why on earth the company chose that idk

 

[herding_cats]

They make 4" squares with 1" K.O.'s

yup. The are octagonal with 1" kos too.

 

[rambojoe]

They make 4" squares with 1" K.O.'s

They definately make 4 11/16 w/1" and .75. Not aure ive seen premade 4sq with 1" but ive punched them out- drilling is a hassle, even with tko bits

 

[herding_cats]

Yeah it's rare to see a four square with 1". Given box fill seem like the 4 11-16 is a better fit for why you need 1" EMT.

 

[electrofelon]

I did this recently and used 4 sq's with 1" KOs. ITs just a full boat of #12's in one and a couple cat6 in the other, I just like to use 1" for these drops b/c 3/4 seems a little flimsy.

 

[Dsg319]

I did this recently and used 4 sq's with 1" KOs. ITs just a full boat of #12's in one and a couple cat6 in the other, I just like to use 1" for these drops b/c 3/4 seems a little flimsy.

Just glad to see the strut caps. Many of lives saved there

 

[infinity]

I did this recently and used 4 sq's with 1" KOs. ITs just a full boat of #12's in one and a couple cat6 in the other, I just like to use 1" for these drops b/c 3/4 seems a little flimsy.

Looks nice!