Can MC cable enter a junction box through a stud or wall top plate?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Jon456

Jon456

Senior Member
Location
Colorado
If a junction box is mounted flush against the side of a stud or on top of a wall top plate, is it permitted for MC cable to enter the junction through the stud? In other words, can the MC connector fitting be within the stud (in a hole in a wood stud/plate or within the cavity of a metal c-stud/track) and thus, not accessible after installation? Obviously, the rough inspection would be performed before the wall is closed.

If this is covered in the NEC, could you please provide the section?

Thanks.
 
There is no specific NEC section that says yes you can do this, but yes you do this. Cable connectors are permitted to be concealed and are not required to be accessible.
 
Thank you. I hadn't really thought about it before because I've never needed to do it. But on this job I want to mount a junction box on the top of a partition wall above a drop ceiling and feed the MC cables out the bottom of the box through the top metal track. I wasn't sure if that was permitted and I couldn't find anything in the NEC.
 
Jon456 said:
Thank you. I hadn't really thought about it before because I've never needed to do it. But on this job I want to mount a junction box on the top of a partition wall above a drop ceiling and feed the MC cables out the bottom of the box through the top metal track. I wasn't sure if that was permitted and I couldn't find anything in the NEC.
Click to expand...
Generally speaking, things not forbidden are permitted. Obviously you'll need a through hole or pocket in the framing member large enough to accommodate the fitting. That might be a potential issue, but I don't really know off hand.
 
You might consider using this style of connector which snaps in to the knockout from the _inside_ of the box:

Straight Snap In Connectors

||| MC Cable Straight Snap In Connectors | Garvin Industries ||| mc cable connectors, conduit connectors, snap in connectors, straight connectors, conduit fittings ||| Shop the industry's best selection of MC cable connectors at Garvin Industries. Enjoy easy ordering, quick delivery, and great...
www.garvinindustries.com www.garvinindustries.com

-Jon
 
winnie said:
You might consider using this style of connector which snaps in to the knockout from the _inside_ of the box
Click to expand...
Interesting. I've never seen those before. But they won't be necessary. Right now, the partition wall is just the steel track and stud framing without any drywall. So there's plenty of access to the inside.
 
So you just want to install your cable and connector in your box and shove it up through the hole in the top plate then fasten the box to the stud? Sounds good to me. (y)

-Hal
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top