314.2 Round Boxes

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Powerage

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My co-worker and I are going back and forth about this article. I think it states pretty clearly that you are not allowed to come in to the side of a round box with conduits or connectors requireing locknuts or bushings.

He's trying to tell me that your standard 4" round box is technically an octagon box becuase it has 8 sides (even though you can only enter 4 sides).

Having said that in "box fill" round/octagon are listed together.

314.2 (2005) dose not say anything about whether an octagon box can be used like this.

When I think of "octagon" I think of deck boxes.

If someone knows for sure I woul like to settlle this.

Any inspectors have an answer?
 
Powerage said:
He's trying to tell me that your standard 4" round box is technically an octagon box becuase it has 8 sides (even though you can only enter 4 sides).
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He's right. The point of the requirement is a good mechanical and electrical connection to the box, which a flat connector and a round surface would not provide.
 
Sometimes these are called round boxes...

sc_1_17054_ph_44.9.jpg


If this is what is being discussed, it is permitted to use this box.


This is an actual round box. I know it is not deep enough, but I think you get the idea. In the days of old, boxes were actually round like this one.

sc_1_16275_ph_44.jpg
 
I can not recall the article number, (heresy in these parts, sorry. :grin: ) but connectors with locknuts must be installed on flat surface.

Edit to add:
I have used thesewith connectors before, but not something like this. Just as an example.
 
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360Youth said:
I can not recall the article number, (heresy in these parts, sorry. :grin: ) but connectors with locknuts must be installed on flat surface.

Edit to add:
I have used thesewith connectors before, but not something like this. Just as an example.
Click to expand...

Would 314.2 tickle your fancy?
 
Powerage said:
My co-worker and I are going back and forth about this article. I think it states pretty clearly that you are not allowed to come in to the side of a round box with conduits or connectors requireing locknuts or bushings.

He's trying to tell me that your standard 4" round box is technically an octagon box becuase it has 8 sides (even though you can only enter 4 sides).

Having said that in "box fill" round/octagon are listed together.

314.2 (2005) dose not say anything about whether an octagon box can be used like this.

When I think of "octagon" I think of deck boxes.

If someone knows for sure I woul like to settlle this.

Any inspectors have an answer?
Click to expand...


Is his name Richie?
 
I've seen 4" round boxes - mostly embedded in the ceilings of older houses.

I've seen 4" octagonal boxes, that actually are pretty much octagons.

But mostly I see 4" boxes that half the people call round and half call octagons, but aren't really either. If you look at most of the pictures in this thread, you'll see a lot of them have four flat sides connected by four arcs of a 4" circle. I really don't know what the proper name of such a shape is. Apparently, neither do the manufacturers, since some call them round and some call them octagonal. I assume this shape is a compromise so that you can have flats to enter while retaining some 4" circle to get a decent fit after you holesaw the opening. Bottom line is, whatever the shape and name, and whatever it's called, the connectors, etc. have to enter via a flat surface.
 
Mike03a3 said:
I've seen 4" round boxes - mostly embedded in the ceilings of older houses.

I've seen 4" octagonal boxes, that actually are pretty much octagons.

But mostly I see 4" boxes that half the people call round and half call octagons, but aren't really either. If you look at most of the pictures in this thread, you'll see a lot of them have four flat sides connected by four arcs of a 4" circle. I really don't know what the proper name of such a shape is. Apparently, neither do the manufacturers, since some call them round and some call them octagonal. I assume this shape is a compromise so that you can have flats to enter while retaining some 4" circle to get a decent fit after you holesaw the opening. Bottom line is, whatever the shape and name, and whatever it's called, the connectors, etc. have to enter via a flat surface.
Click to expand...

I call them 8b's. :smile:
8bbox.jpg
 
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Mike03a3 said:
But mostly I see 4" boxes that half the people call round and half call octagons, but aren't really either.
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Sounds like they're half of each. Maybe we should call it a round-octagon-round-octagon-round-octagon-round-octagon. :cool:

Nah, that'll never work. Half of the forum members will say it's an octagon-round-octagon-round-octagon-round-octagon-round. :rolleyes:
 
LarryFine said:
Sounds like they're half of each. Maybe we should call it a round-octagon-round-octagon-round-octagon-round-octagon. :cool:

Nah, that'll never work. Half of the forum members will say it's an octagon-round-octagon-round-octagon-round-octagon-round. :rolleyes:
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I can hear it now:

"Duck Season!"

"Wabbit Season!"

"Duck Season!"

"Wabbit Season!"

200px-Rabbit_Fire.jpg
 
LarryFine said:
Sounds like they're half of each. Maybe we should call it a round-octagon-round-octagon-round-octagon-round-octagon. :cool:

Nah, that'll never work. Half of the forum members will say it's an octagon-round-octagon-round-octagon-round-octagon-round. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

square box with the corners rounded off ... <g>
 
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