jct box on bath circuit

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Daja7

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we are doing a basement rough in for customer . bathroom was roughed in years ago and wire to it was stubbed out into utility room with no ceiling
and place in J box for future connection. we ran dedicated 20 circ back to panel. inspector said we cannot have a j box in the bath circuit.
While I agree it is not a good idea as someone could tap into it. I cannot find any code that addresses that. Bathroom walls and ceiling are finished.
2014 code used here.
 
thats what i thought. He would not site any code article or local rule for such. Just his opinion.
 
I'd argue that it is much better to have a junction box in an easily accessible location such as a basement below the bathroom then behind something in the bathroom itself. The _requirement_ is that the circuit supply outlets in the bathroom only; a junction box is not an outlet.

-Jon
 
winnie said:
I'd argue that it is much better to have a junction box in an easily accessible location such as a basement below the bathroom then behind something in the bathroom itself. The _requirement_ is that the circuit supply outlets in the bathroom only; a junction box is not an outlet.

-Jon
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Please see article 100 definition of Outlet. The language in 210.11 C 3 states bathroom circuits shall have no other outlets. IMO the inspector is correct. So perhaps use an inline splice and remove the outlet. Or if its a device box that a receptacle can be installed in, change to another type of junction box
 
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Just ask for a code reference. The inspector is probably saying he doesn't like it but as long as the box is accessible he has to allow it.
 
tom baker said:
Please see article 100 definition of Outlet. The language in 210.11 C 3 states bathroom circuits shall have no other outlets. IMO the inspector is correct. So perhaps use an inline splice and remove the outlet. Or if its a device box that a receptacle can be installed in, change to another type of junction box
Click to expand...


Or put a receptacle at the ceiling fed back from the gfci by the sink.
 
Tom I agree to a point but isn’t that kinda splitting hairs?
 
Gee.... if we're going to argue a splice in a junction box is an outlet, then wouldn't the terminals on the breaker be an outlet as well?
 
tom baker said:
Please see article 100 definition of Outlet. The language in 210.11 C 3 states bathroom circuits shall have no other outlets. IMO the inspector is correct. So perhaps use an inline splice and remove the outlet. Or if its a device box that a receptacle can be installed in, change to another type of junction box
Click to expand...

The definition of outlet is a "point where current is taken to supply utilization equipment". The OP is not supplying utilization equipment from this box.
By your interpretation if, say, the circuit was installed in EMT and the box was needed due to more than 360 degree of bends this would not be allowed. This defies common sense. I don't think this interpretation is intended by the NEC.
 
tom baker said:
Please see article 100 definition of Outlet. The language in 210.11 C 3 states bathroom circuits shall have no other outlets. IMO the inspector is correct. So perhaps use an inline splice and remove the outlet. Or if its a device box that a receptacle can be installed in, change to another type of junction box
Click to expand...

I don't see that the article 100 definition of Outlet makes a junction box an 'outlet'. If the junction box connects one part of the wiring system to another, with utilization equipment connected directly to that junction box, then it is not an 'outlet'. Now if there is a receptacle in that junction box, you have an outlet, but I doubt that is the case here.

Taking the argument to the absurd: if all junction boxes in the bathroom circuit must be in the bathroom, then the main panel must be in the panel as well. *grin*

-Jon
 
Well, let's toss out the definition of an Outlet so we can all see it.

Outlet. A point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment.
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So if there's a splice in a j-box, then the wiring between there and the bath receptacle must be considered utilization equipment.....
 
The switch debate is an even finer hair-split than a junction box.

From a Google search that led to a Mike Holt for EC&M Q&A article:

"About the switches, if the switch controls utilization equipment in the bedroom, then it will be AFCI protected. However, if the switch operates lighting outlets for outdoor luminaire, closets or other loads not terminated in bedroom space then AFCI protection is not NEC required, because a switch is not considered an outlet*.


*According to Article 100, an outlet is defined as a point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply equipment that utilizes electric energy for electronic, electromechanical, chemical, heating, lighting, or similar purposes [100]. This would include a receptacle outlet, a lighting outlet, but not a switch."
 
Tom sorry, what I was referring to was “ in line splice” that you mentioned.
 
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