3 1/2 Pancake Box

[Jimmy7]

We’ve used 3 1/2 pancake boxes in the past. I just saw the spec sheet which states that you can use 14/2, but then it states 3.9 cu in.
Isn’t one 14-2 by itself 6.0 cubic inches? Could I technically hang my hat on the fact it states “Accommodates 14-2”

 

[ptonsparky]

You can include the cu in of the fixture canopy. IDR the restrictions.

 

[infinity]

Those cable clamps count too.

 

[Fred B]

The canopy has to have enough space to make up the difference

 

[infinity]

Does the canopy need to be marked for the space to count?

 

[ptonsparky]

Does the canopy need to be marked for the space to count?

I believe it does but IDR the wording.

 

[ActionDave]

Calculate the cubic inches and print a label with a Brady label maker or write it with a sharpie.

 

[ptonsparky]

I had thought of that but ASSumed it had to be done by someone smarter than me!

 

[Little Bill]

Just mount the pancake box, run the 14-2 in, install the light, and sleep well. I've yet to have an inspector remove a light to look at the box. The light will most likely be an LED anyway.

 

[kwired]

Just mount the pancake box, run the 14-2 in, install the light, and sleep well. I've yet to have an inspector remove a light to look at the box. The light will most likely be an LED anyway.

I haven't had one remove light either, but have had comments at times during rough inspection on this sort of issues. Not so much pancake boxes as I seldom ever use them anymore but had a guy commenting on a device box that was legal as is and we even reviewed the fill and he still said something about how would you ever get a GFCI in there? 18 cubic inch plastic nail on with two 2-12 NM cables entering it.

I'm thinking that isn't that hard to put a GFCI into, I've packed GFCI's into 3x2x2.5 metal boxes with same conductors and that actually are under NEC fill requirements without too much trouble though it is more difficult than these boxes are.

 

[ActionDave]

I had thought of that but ASSumed it had to be done by someone smarter than me!

Nothing in the code says who it has to be labeled by, just that it is supposed to be labeled. Like everyone else, I've never done it, and never been gigged on it.

 

[ptonsparky]

I've never worried about it, just was aware. Never gigged.

 

[letgomywago]

These are why I want 16 awg lighting circuits.

I have just accepted that these boxes will just break code for ever on box fill and that is that.

I remove the clamps at fixture installation and hold my wire with the ground screw on the ground it's wrong but I can live with it

I use the fiber glass ones often and feel good about those. They're my goto for UF in lighting on wood decks ect... those have a little more cubic inches and no clamps. The lights have a better canopy in those too.