Accessible to Boxes

[eatapeach]

Need help understanding code section 314.29 2017 NEC. It is my understanding from this section you can not have a 4" x4" box in an
unaccessible ceiling? I have been on many commercial projects where the group toilet room had a gypsum ceiling with no access provided however I know there were some 4" x 4" boxes located above. Is this in violation of this section?

 

[jap]

Need help understanding code section 314.29 2017 NEC. It is my understanding from this section you can not have a 4" x4" box in an
unaccessible ceiling? I have been on many commercial projects where the group toilet room had a gypsum ceiling with no access provided however I know there were some 4" x 4" boxes located above. Is this in violation of this section?

It's pretty simple to understand and makes sense.

You have to be able to maintain electrical work.

For instance, If you have a splice in a non accessible J-box go bad, or, if in conduit with no splice, and, the wires comes into the J-box then out in a way that you couldn't pull new wire from both ends if needed, you're screwed.

JAP>

 

[roger]

Is this in violation of this section?

Yes it is.

Roger

 

[Little Bill]

Need help understanding code section 314.29 2017 NEC. It is my understanding from this section you can not have a 4" x4" box in an
unaccessible ceiling? I have been on many commercial projects where the group toilet room had a gypsum ceiling with no access provided however I know there were some 4" x 4" boxes located above. Is this in violation of this section?

If the area above the toilet room had no access, but there was access in another area that you could get to the area above the toilets, then it is accessible and not a violation.

 

[jbelectric777]

accessible

accessible

read definitions in NEC there is plain old access and other access - readily means you can open power fast with a switch, disconnect or male cord and cap - like a garbage disposal say - then just accessible that's defined as 'without damage to the building' so a junction box above a drop ceiling is accessible - just think of recessed lights. you have access because you can bring the can down and access the wiring, nothing can be buried except the new old work only fittings bt t and b which I don't like at all, ask dennis the moderator what he thinks about the new t and b connectors, guys are using them for things they really are not listed for

 

[kwired]

read definitions in NEC there is plain old access and other access - readily means you can open power fast with a switch, disconnect or male cord and cap - like a garbage disposal say - then just accessible that's defined as 'without damage to the building' so a junction box above a drop ceiling is accessible - just think of recessed lights. you have access because you can bring the can down and access the wiring, nothing can be buried except the new old work only fittings bt t and b which I don't like at all, ask dennis the moderator what he thinks about the new t and b connectors, guys are using them for things they really are not listed for

Readily accessible means capable of being reached quickly for actions (like operating a switch) without requiring the need to use tools, climb over obstacles, etc. to gain access. It can apply to but is not limited to disconnecting methods.

 

[kwired]

Need help understanding code section 314.29 2017 NEC. It is my understanding from this section you can not have a 4" x4" box in an
unaccessible ceiling? I have been on many commercial projects where the group toilet room had a gypsum ceiling with no access provided however I know there were some 4" x 4" boxes located above. Is this in violation of this section?

If there is crawlspace with access above said room those boxes are still "accessible".

Some instances you could even put in an access cover of some sort if you don't want to expose said boxes, or make them flush with wall/ceiling and put blank covers on them, then they are accessible.