Junction box access circa 1982

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stevel

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I am a EE, working with a licensed electrician on a recent home purchase. Sale was as is, so I knew there would be a lot of work to bring it up to code. The kitchen remodel was done ~1982 by the former owner without permits, but was disclosed as "to current code". Can anyone give me a pointer as to what code was for junction box accessibility circa 1982?

I have at least 2, possibly 3 junction boxes that are blind, sandwiched between the formica backsplash and exterior walls. My understanding of code (not to mention good practice) is that junction boxes must always be accessible, be it behind an appliance, under a cover plate in a cabinet, or in the crawl or attic. Burying it in the fashion we have found was never ok, or was it? My electrician claims the accessibility rule is as far back as he remembers, just wondering if someone had something more concrete...

Thanks in advance for any pointers,
Steve
 
Re: Junction box access circa 1982

Steve,

Check [314.29]"Boxes and conduit bodies to be accessible" The 2005 NEC adds "and Handhole Enclosures"

rbj, Seattle
 
Re: Junction box access circa 1982

The oldest relevant NEC text I have "readliy accessible" is 1978. It says:

370.19 Junction, Pull and Outlet Boxes to Be Accessible. Junction, pull and outlet boxes shall be so installed that the wiring contained in them can be rendered accessible without removing any part of the building or in underground circuits without excavating sidewalks, paving, earth, or other substance that is to be used to establish the finished grade.
Exception: Boxes approved for the purpose shall be permitted where covered by gravel, light aggregate, or noncohesive granulated soil if their location is effectively identified and accessible for excavation.
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This text has been through several "editorial" and "clarification" changes since then, but the intent has remained essentially, the same.
 
Re: Junction box access circa 1982

Just our of curiosity, if they are sandwiched in the way you describe, how did you find them?
 
Re: Junction box access circa 1982

In one case, we have 3 wire Romex making a turn from the attic down into the exterior kitchen wall. Below the counter, we have grey braided, a different Romex gauge, and a pull of 2 wire coming out. Somewhere in between, there has to be splices- but where? It has to be behind the backsplash. Further investigation reveals that there has to be splices in at least two other spaces, and there are no accesses either in the homeowner built cabinetry, or behind any of the appliances. Sigh- I may "do-it-myself" occassionally, but this is the reason I work with a licensed electrician on my electrical.

Looks like this will resolve either easily or in small claims. What a shame-at least it can be fixed...
 
Re: Junction box access circa 1982

Another reference supporting the longevity of this particular requirement comes from the copy of the NEC from 1933, 45 years earlier:
Chapter 10
Outlet Boxes; Cabinets; Cutout Boxes

Section 1022. (512-i) Junction boxes shall be so installed that the wiring contained in them may be rendered accessible without removing any part of the building.
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The language is simpler than in Bob's quote from 1978, but the kernel is obvious.
 
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