Extension rings

[brother]

I know we have seen them when the box fill gets up there. I heard somewhere that it was not legal to run conduit out of the extension ring. Even though they are 'made' with the knockouts (1/2 - 3/4 etc) and it may not be the ideal, but i know of no 'code' that says you cant do it.

Is this an ole wives tale??. Ive done it in old remodles when it was pretty much the only thing to do, but i does prevent one from being able to take of the extension ring if for some unknown reason you would want to.

 

[iwire]

The NEC does not prevent bringing conduits into extension rings.

That may be a bit extreme. :grin:

However keep in mind 300.14 which for this size box requires 3" of free conductor outside the box.

 

[infinity]

I've have heard this urban legend also but no one has been able to support it with documentation. Until then I'll continue to believe that the KO's are there for a reason, that's to use them if needed.

 

[iwire]

There are also some NEC consultants that will say extension rings can not be stacked although they have never provided any reference for that view.

 

[brother]

The NEC does not prevent bringing conduits into extension rings.

That may be a bit extreme. :grin:

However keep in mind 300.14 which for this size box requires 3" of free conductor outside the box.

Wow LOL. thats funny. Even though i do not find it ideal to run conduit out of the extension ring, I will do it when necessary, unless someone can show me a code/rule violation. I will admit i do not like the stacking of extension rings, but i have seen that too. Only 2 rings though, never like that mess you got up there LOL .

 

[ultramegabob]

looks like somebody forgot thier bender that day.... was the conduit coming out of the left side supported anywhere, or was it just left hanging out in mid air? and love the use of a pulling L coming out of the lid, I bet all the wire is pulled straight through that box tighter than a banjo string, so that the lid cant come off either.....

 

[iwire]

Stickboy1375 had posted that picture originally.

When I zoomed in it looks like the bottom one is not an extension ring but a 4" turned the other way up.

Check out the pull ell coming out the center KO and the 1/2" EMT connector beside it that goes nowhere.

 

[ultramegabob]

Stickboy1375 had posted that picture originally.

When I zoomed in it looks like the bottom one is not an extension ring but a 4" turned the other way up.

Check out the pull ell coming out the center KO and the 1/2" EMT connector beside it that goes nowhere.

now that you pointed it out, it looks like the bottom three face up, and the top five face down.... I wonder how they are attached in the center???? what a cluster.....

 

[jflynn]

WOW!Thats some talent,I would not entertain adding any wiring to that mess,this is a classic example of a wiring method that may not be a code violation,but is just not right.

 

[C3PO]

There are also some NEC consultants that will say extension rings can not be stacked although they have never provided any reference for that view.

I have heard this a lot also, but never seen/read anything to back it up.

 

[480sparky]

The NEC does not prevent bringing conduits into extension rings.

That may be a bit extreme. :grin:

However keep in mind 300.14 which for this size box requires 3" of free conductor outside the box.

The top 5 extension rings are 'face down'. The bottom ring is 'face up'. If you look close, you can see the keyhole slots to verify this.

Edit to add:

 

[iwire]

The top 5 extension rings are 'face down'. The bottom ring is 'face up'.

I thought we covered that? :grin:

 

[paul]

The top 5 extension rings are 'face down'. The bottom ring is 'face up'. If you look close, you can see the keyhole slots to verify this.

FWIW, I would argue with that and say that the bottom box, plus the two extension rings above it are all facing up.

I once ran into a situation of 4 handy-box extension rings in a wall. WAAAAY in the back was the conduit entering the 4s box and mudring. I had to try and get a wirenut and pigtail onto to trim out a receptacle.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

There are also some NEC consultants that will say extension rings can not be stacked although they have never provided any reference for that view.

Then they need to take a look at the UL Guide information for "Metallic Outlet Boxes (QCIT)".

Extension rings are suitable for extending properly secured flush- or surface-mounted boxes. One or more extensions may be used. An extension ring is intended to increase the box depth, volume, or both.

 

[LarryFine]

. . . I'll continue to believe that the KO's are there for a reason, that's to use them if needed.

I agree 100%. After all, one of the main uses of extension boxes is to be able to run a surface extension from a flush-mounted box. Wiremold makes extension boxes for the same purpose.

 

[cschmid]

thanks bob I need my daily laugh..

 

[Karl H]

I love this picture. I can't help but think. How many wires could possibly be in the original box that would justify six extention rings.Plus how in hell did they get the bottom 4 sq box on.