Factory installed Device boxes for exhaust fans

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JJWalecka

JJWalecka

Senior Member
Location
New England
I have a question regarding factory installed "Handy boxes" used for "Mushroom" type exhaust fans mounted on roof.

Table 314.16(A)
(3 x 2 x 1 1/2) Device box can contain 3 12 AWG conductors.

The exhaust fan is feed by a 12/2 MC with 12/2 SO cable for the load side. The device yoke counts as 2 conductors per 314.16 (B)(4). That is seven conductors, four conductors over. The device box is full before the Device or Branch circuit conductors is installed.

How can the factory installation be sufficient?

The code states that Factory installations are Code compliant.

Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you for your time and effort. Happy New Year and GOD Bless.

Justin W.
 
Re: Factory installed Device boxes for exhaust fans

Originally posted by justinjwalecka:
How can the factory installation be sufficient?
Click to expand...
It depends on your prospective of sufficient.

To the factory it is apparently sufficient to provide just enough and still get 'listed'. :roll:

Regardless of the NEC not applying to this box I do not consider it sufficient.

I rip off the handy box and replace it with a deep 4" square box, I am sure many others do as well. It takes less time than trying to jam everything in the undersized box.

By the way small 3 phase fans come with handy boxes as well. That is usually four 12s three 14s and a 3 pole switch all in a handy box. :eek:
 
Re: Factory installed Device boxes for exhaust fans

Justin,

Good question,many of these fan have a blank plate installed on the 'handy' box? I wonder if they are also listed for switch install

I would be interested in how other members wire them.
 
Re: Factory installed Device boxes for exhaust fans

Originally posted by benaround:
I would be interested in how other members wire them.
Click to expand...
I have seen such fans with a 1/2" hole drilled in the factory supplied handy box blank plate for an "electronics type" toggle switch. I'm not sure if they came from the factory that way, or if they were field installed. Sure does make more room in the box, in any event.

There's not always room in smaller fans for changing it out for a 4 square, but there is often more height. Adding a handy box extension ring is what I've done on such occasions.

I can recall one recent small rooftop fan that came factory supplied with a "mullion box" (like a handy box, but only 1/2 the width) with a blank plate. I'm not sure how on earth you were to accomodate a disconnect. In keeping with what I'd seen before, I drilled a hole in the cover and installed an electronics type toggle switch.
 
Re: Factory installed Device boxes for exhaust fans

Originally posted by mdshunk:
I have seen such fans with a 1/2" hole drilled in the factory supplied handy box blank plate for an "electronics type" toggle switch. I'm not sure if they came from the factory that way, or if they were field installed. Sure does make more room in the box, in any event.
Click to expand...
I think some of the manufacturers include the switch if the purchaser specifies it that way.

In the case of the 3 phase fans I often see this type of switch.

4X208.JPG
 
Re: Factory installed Device boxes for exhaust fans

Originally posted by benaround:
Justin,

Good question,many of these fan have a blank plate installed on the 'handy' box? I wonder if they are also listed for switch install

I would be interested in how other members wire them.
Click to expand...
 
Re: Factory installed Device boxes for exhaust fans

Originally posted by benaround:
Justin,

Good question,many of these fan have a blank plate installed on the 'handy' box? I wonder if they are also listed for switch install

I would be interested in how other members wire them.
Click to expand...
That`s what your unibit is for :)
 
Re: Factory installed Device boxes for exhaust fans

Manufacturers do not follow the NEC, they are responsible for other STANDARDS.
Just take a look at some of the motor termination box.


edited to remove offensive term

[ January 03, 2006, 10:44 AM: Message edited by: don_resqcapt19 ]
 
Re: Factory installed Device boxes for exhaust fans

Guys,
I have edited out the trade slang word for a motor termination box and the posts that were related to that term. It is offensive to some.
Don
 
Re: Factory installed Device boxes for exhaust fans

Originally posted by don_resqcapt19:
Guys,
I have edited out the trade slang word for a motor termination box and the posts that were related to that term. It is offensive to some.
Don
Click to expand...
We were just kidding, or so I thought.


"You were serious about that?!" - My Cousin Vinny
 
Re: Factory installed Device boxes for exhaust fans

Pierre,
Manufacturers do not follow the NEC, they are responsible for other STANDARDS.
Just take a look at some of the motor termination box.
Click to expand...
The code does apply to the sizing of this box. See 430.12.
Don
 
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