Does article 314.29 mean I can't cover junction boxes with insulation?

[Johnny123]

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I'm wondering if **Johnny123** has continued to read all of
the input on this topic, and as importantly, ...did he get an
answer to his OP, along with a code section to support his
install.

As an aside, ...don't know how much thermal insulation would
[ typically ] be installed on some junction boxes, but would
a thick layer; saaaaaay `tween 8"-12", installed over a
covered junction box affect the temperture ratings of the
conductors?

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I'm still following along. Though I have a feeling 90.4 is going to be the ruling code section in this case, so I'll have to check with the AHJ.

 

[david]

I really do not have a strong feeling on this , but insulation would be required here by the building department before a building could receive a final approval and you would never get an occupancy permit without a final approval. Does that make it part of the building finish, maybe it depends on how deep the insulation is where you are placing the J box. If its deeper than required for the R value it maybe extra insulation. If its required for the R value it most likely required by the building code.

 

[north star]

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Johnny123,

IMO, it is not good practice to install j-boxes where they will be
covered, or potentially be covered over with thermal insulation.
Covering them [ essentially ] hides them from view, which may
or may not be an issue......As a homeowner, I would definitely
want to know where all electrical components & equipment are
located, but I am in a very small minority who thinks this way.

I would cite Article 110.26 and others, that would allow any
thermal insulation to remain in-place and not be disturbed or
moved when the various electrical componets are installed.
That way, everybody is happy!......O.K., well almost everybody,
...maybe ! :thumbsup:

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[ggunn]

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Johnny123,

IMO, it is not good practice to install j-boxes where they will be
covered, or potentially be covered over with thermal insulation.
Covering them [ essentially ] hides them from view, which may
or may not be an issue......As a homeowner, I would definitely
want to know where all electrical components & equipment are
located, but I am in a very small minority who thinks this way.

I would cite Article 110.26 and others, that would allow any
thermal insulation to remain in-place and not be disturbed or
moved when the various electrical componets are installed.
That way, everybody is happy!......O.K., well almost everybody,
...maybe ! :thumbsup:

~ + ~

I was up in my attic recently, and I saw where the guys I got to blow insulation into my attic made circles out of flashing and put them around recessed lighting fixtures so they wouldn't be buried in the insulation. Couldn't one do something like that for the junction boxes and cause this to be a non-issue?

 

[david]

I was up in my attic recently, and I saw where the guys I got to blow insulation into my attic made circles out of flashing and put them around recessed lighting fixtures so they wouldn't be buried in the insulation. Couldn't one do something like that for the junction boxes and cause this to be a non-issue?

That would depend on what energy code is applicable. That would be up to the building inspectors interpretation.

 

[ggunn]

That would depend on what energy code is applicable. That would be up to the building inspectors interpretation.

And that, I believe, brings us back around full circle. Check, please.

 

[north star]

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ggunn asked:

" ...Couldn't one do something like that for the junction boxes and cause this
to be a non-issue?"

How would the required thermal insulation depths be installed and
maintained, if some type of tubular sleeving is installed around the
junction box(es), ...which would displace the required amount of
thermal [ i.e. - depths ] insulation in the first place? :huh:

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[GoldDigger]

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How would the required thermal insulation depths be installed and
maintained, if some type of tubular sleeving is installed around the
junction box(es), ...which would displace the required amount of
thermal [ i.e. - depths ] insulation in the first place? :huh:

~ + ~

Attach the required insulation to the attic side of a door or access panel above the j-box.