Legal Box?

[K_Buz]

I calculate the volume to be 7.5 cubic inches of the line voltage portion of this box which would only be legal for 3 #12's or 3 #14's not including the device. This particular box was listed at 2.5" deep. It is a jload multimedia box rj600.

View attachment http---www.hubbellcatalog.com-HomeSelect-catalogpages-H5.pdf - Adobe Reader.bmp

 

[jumper]

So, if there is no device or it is surface mounted........

 

[K_Buz]

I'm sorry this is the device...

 

[Smart $]

I'm sorry this is the device...

View attachment 6685

I don't see picture in OP, so here's a link...

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...AAdQ2nks5DAOBwkeg&sig2=6ydH7zau_QiPm1oqs4Z4eA

314.16 says nothing about divided boxes or counting of com' cables toward fill.

 

[K_Buz]

I didn't see anything either about divided boxes but common sense (to me) would say that the wires entering the line side would have to fit in that space with the device...which is why I asked the question...sometimes my common sense doesn't line up with what the code says.

 

[infinity]

Since the power portion of the box is only 7.5 cu inches you cannot install that device with conductors connected to it. Even a 14/2 AC cable with one device would require 8 cu inches. A barrier in a single box makes it two separate boxes for code purposes.

314.28 Pull and Junction Boxes and Conduit Bodies.
Boxes and conduit bodies used as pull or junction boxes shall comply with 314.28(A) through (D).
(D) Permanent Barriers. Where permanent barriers are installed in a box, each section shall be considered as a separate box.

 

[K_Buz]

Thank you, I don't know how I looked over that part. I guess the title didn't trip me to look hard in that section.

 

[Smart $]

Since the power portion of the box is only 7.5 cu inches you cannot install that device with conductors connected to it. Even a 14/2 AC cable with one device would require 8 cu inches. A barrier in a single box makes it two separate boxes for code purposes.

Only half the device is in that space... with a 14/2 AC cable would only require 6 in?.

 

[infinity]

Only half the device is in that space... with a 14/2 AC cable would only require 6 in?.

14/2= 2.0 cu inches/conductor=(2*2)=4 cu inches
1 device = 2 conductors=(2*2)=4 cu inches
4+4=8 cu inches minimum box space


I don't see any allowance for 1/2 of a device.

 

[Smart $]

14/2= 2.0 cu inches/conductor=(2*2)=4 cu inches
1 device = 2 conductors=(2*2)=4 cu inches
4+4=8 cu inches minimum box space


I don't see any allowance for 1/2 of a device.

...and I don't see a reduction in box space when there is a divider.

 

[ramsy]

Pardon me, but:
1) Grounding wire(s) are also counted as 1-conductor space
2) That 20A polarized plug requires #12, prohibits #14 [210.21(B)(1)]
3) Don't OEM instructions override the code, if so listed or labeled assembly? 110.3(B)

 

[infinity]

...and I don't see a reduction in box space when there is a divider.

The NEC is pretty specific in saying that a divided box is considered two (or more) separate boxes. {314.28}

 

[Smart $]

The NEC is pretty specific in saying that a divided box is considered two (or more) separate boxes. {314.28}

314.28 is regarding "Boxes and conduit bodies used as pull or junction boxes"... not device boxes.

 

[infinity]

314.28 is regarding "Boxes and conduit bodies used as pull or junction boxes"... not device boxes.

Interesting.

 

[Smart $]

Pardon me, but:
1) Grounding wire(s) are also counted as 1-conductor space
2) That 20A polarized plug requires #12, prohibits #14 [210.21(B)(1)]
3) Don't OEM instructions override the code, if so listed or labeled assembly? 110.3(B)

1 and 3 are correct.

210.21(B)(1) allows a single receptacle rated greater than its individual branch circuit rating.

Using #12 AC cable, you have 3 space allowances at 2.25 in? (one-half the device allowance for one-half the box, and two #12 conductors), for total 6.75 in?. Note there is no EGC entering the box.

If you don't like the device one space allowance for half the box, then use the device two space allowance for the whole box.

 

[stickboy1375]

Why do they make 3" pancake boxes as well?

 

[ramsy]

1 and 3 are correct.

2 should cite 210.21(B)(C)

Using #12 AC cable, ..there is no EGC entering the box.

Clever design

I calculate the volume to be 7.5 cubic inches of the line voltage portion of this box

The link shown hovering over your box image, points to a Hubble catalog# RJ600 device box. At 3x2x2.5 its a listed assembly with the 15A receptacle in the H5.pdf catalog, not the 20A plug shown elsewhere.

The same box# RJ600 is also a 3" deep masonry box in the HSBD001.pdf catalog. At 3x2x3, as a listed assembly with the 20A plug.

To confuse matters more, the same HSBD001.pdf specification sheet shows NM cable with grounding entering the masonry style box terminating to a 15A plug assembly. Go figure how either version passes UL & CSA listings with 7.5 or 9 cubic inches?