Box Fill

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MR. S

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My buddy got red tagged on box fill. He was one over and the inspector said it was because the box had internal clamps and he didn't count the clamps as one conductor. The reason why my buddy didn't count the clamps is because the box was a plastic box. Does anyone besides this inspector count the plastic tabs in a three gang plastic box as a clamp?
 
MR. S said:
Does anyone besides this inspector count the plastic tabs in a three gang plastic box as a clamp?
Click to expand...

No.

Most plastic boxes I've used have the wire count stamped right in the back of the box.

Count the wires, good to go.
 
http://www.carlon.com/FAQs/FAQ-ZipBoxes.pdf

FAQs
ZIP BOX BLUE SWITCH & OUTLET BOXES
This information is an interpretation of the codes and standards mentioned. Please verify this
information with all local inspection agencies.
25701 Science Park Drive
Cleveland, Ohio 44122
216-464-3400
1-800-3CARLON (322-7566)
www.carlon.com

"The volume inside an outlet box does not include any deductions for integral
clamps. The clamps are removed from the box when the volume is determined
by UL. Therefore a single deduction in the NEC is required for the space the
clamps take up inside the box. A B520A is 18 cubic inches after the clamp
deduction for #14 wire.
This procedure was determined by IAEI and UL. Not everybody agrees to this".
 
depends on the type of box
Where the cable terminates at a nonmetallic outlet box that does not contain a cable clamping device, the cable may be secured (fastened in place) within 8 in. of the outlet box, according to 314.17(C), Exception.

Exception. Where nonmetallic-sheathed cable or multiconductor Type UF cable is used with single gang boxes not larger than a nominal size 57 mm ? 100 mm (2 1/ 4 in. ? 4 in.) mounted in walls or ceilings, and where the cable is fastened within 200 mm (8 in.) of the box measured along the sheath and where the sheath extends through a cable knockout not less than 6 mm ( 1/ 4 in.), securing the cable to the box shall not be required. Multiple cable entries shall be permitted in a single cable knockout opening.
 
What kind of box did he use? IMO the plastic tabs in a box should not count as an internal clamp. If you read MF Dagger's quote from Carlon it talks about clamps that can be removed not ones that are integral to the box.
 
MF Dagger said:
http://www.carlon.com/FAQs/FAQ-ZipBoxes.pdf

FAQs
ZIP BOX BLUE SWITCH & OUTLET BOXES
This information is an interpretation of the codes and standards mentioned. Please verify this
information with all local inspection agencies.
25701 Science Park Drive
Cleveland, Ohio 44122
216-464-3400
1-800-3CARLON (322-7566)
www.carlon.com

"The volume inside an outlet box does not include any deductions for integral
clamps. The clamps are removed from the box when the volume is determined
by UL. Therefore a single deduction in the NEC is required for the space the
clamps take up inside the box. A B520A is 18 cubic inches after the clamp
deduction for #14 wire.
This procedure was determined by IAEI and UL. Not everybody agrees to this".
Click to expand...
I don't have an 05 or 08 code book but in MF Dagger's link provided if you read it it says this is based on the 02 code and could be changed in the future so be on the lookout in future codes....so can anyone with an 05 or 08 code look in section 314.16 B (2) and check?
 
Here are the three passsages of Holy Writ:
2002 NEC 314.16(B)(2) Clamp Fill. Where one or more internal cable clamps, whether factory or field supplied, are present in the box, a single volume allowance in accordance with Table 314.16(B) shall be made based on the largest conductor present in the box. No allowance shall be required for a cable connector with its clamping mechanism outside the box.
Click to expand...
2005 NEC 314.16(B)(2) Clamp Fill Where one or more internal cable clamps, whether factory or field supplied, are present in the box, a single volume allowance in accordance with Table 314.16(B) shall be made based on the largest conductor present in the box. No allowance shall be required for a cable connector with its clamping mechanism outside the box.
Click to expand...
2008 NEC 314.16(B)(2) Clamp Fill. Where one or more internal cable clamps, whether factory or field supplied, are present in the box, a single volume allowance in accordance with Table 314.16(B) shall be made based on the largest conductor present in the box. No allowance shall be required for a cable connector with its clamping mechanism outside the box.
Click to expand...
Word for word unchanged, I believe.
 
Single gang non metallic boxes have tabs. Multi-gang nonmetallic boxes have clamps. The fact that we call them clamps would suggest that you count them for box fill.
In this area if you break them out. Then we move the cable to another clamped opening in the box and seal the open, or broken clamp, hole. Not a sermon just a thought.
 
sticko said:
Single gang non metallic boxes have tabs. Multi-gang nonmetallic boxes have clamps.
Click to expand...

Would you call that a clamp. :-?

pACE2-980063reg.jpg
 
sticko said:
I would. That's why you can support the NM cable 12" from the box. And only 8" from a single gang. What do you call it?
Click to expand...

One gang P & S boxes have those tabs also. I would not count them as clamps. I never have counted them and I don't believe I ever will. It is part of the box.
 
al hildenbrand said:
Word for word unchanged, I believe.
Click to expand...
That's easy enough to see. If there's a change, there will be a vertical line in the margin alongside any line with an alteration or addition. Plus, there's a dot if there is an omission.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
One gang P & S boxes have those tabs also. I would not count them as clamps. I never have counted them and I don't believe I ever will. It is part of the box.
Click to expand...

I agree with this!!
 
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