Load center ground bar in jbox

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SparknMike

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I have noticed on occasion someone putting a ground bar designed for a load center in a larger jbox to provide a nice place to land multiple grounds and to bond the jbox. While, if properly installed, I really don't believe this is dangerous since the electrons don't know the brand or name of the box, is it a code violation since these ground bars were designed, presumably tested, and sold with the intention of being installed in a load center from the same company?
 
I believe it can be questionable but I cannot imagine a problem with this providing you have the appropriate number of threads necessary to make good contact. If the metal of the JB isn't thick enough this could be an issue.

I also have noticed that the metal JB's that my suppliers sell state that the box is only rated for metal conduit. Why? I don't know but I have seen many of them used for nm cable with a ground added to the box. It makes me wonder why there are no provision made for grounding in these boxes.
 
you mean like this - and as for nm - dont run it thru the box :D and you will have no worries
SDC10094.jpg
 
Yes, well, except without the mess inside of the box. I am not sure that picture gives me much comfort that this practice meets code. That picture looks like the box was wired by someone who used the smoke test to figure out if the work is acceptable.

Please tell me that the orange cable at least runs through a grommit.
 
Now do a box fill calculation for that box. Looks like the holes on top are in preparation for even more wires.

Tape on the wire nuts?
 
480sparky said:
What about derating all those in the two large pipe?
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You know they did the derating on the conductors, anyone that could make a job that nice and clean would not cut corners and skip the load calcs. and derating. :D
 
This is something I do too. I like the CH ones, because they use 10-32 screws to hold it to the box unlike the Square D's which are 8-32.

If the metal is too thin to hold a 10-32 legally, how are you supposed to ground this box (unless metal conduit)? The same 10-32 screw would be where your pigtail connects normally.
 
suemarkp said:
This is something I do too. I like the CH ones, because they use 10-32 screws to hold it to the box unlike the Square D's which are 8-32.

If the metal is too thin to hold a 10-32 legally, how are you supposed to ground this box (unless metal conduit)? The same 10-32 screw would be where your pigtail connects normally.
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Don't the boxes come with a ground screw? Run a bonding wire bewteen it and the ground bar.
 
480sparky said:
Don't the boxes come with a ground screw? Run a bonding wire bewteen it and the ground bar.
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Some boxes do come with a place for a grounding screw. However, not all boxes do come with a place for a grounding screw. Now I am not sure what they were thinking when they don't even put a place for the grounding screw. I can't say I would go through the trouble to produce a jbox with no provision for bonding.
 
What wire goes where , label what ? I put bushings on all connectors (emt,ridgid, Imc,pipe one inch and bigger , no thought went in to this job ......bandini express ? no pride in workmanship here.........
 
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Dennis Alwon said:
I also have noticed that the metal JB's that my suppliers sell state that the box is only rated for metal conduit. Why? I don't know but I have seen many of them used for nm cable with a ground added to the box. It makes me wonder why there are no provision made for grounding in these boxes.
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I suspect that this is a misunderstanding. They are probably trying to exclude people from running PVC with the box rather than people using clamps and NM. If that is the case they probably should have been clearer.
 
SparknMike said:
I suspect that this is a misunderstanding. They are probably trying to exclude people from running PVC with the box rather than people using clamps and NM. If that is the case they probably should have been clearer.
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So why would PVC be forbidden and NM cable okay?
 
Dennis Alwon said:
So why would PVC be forbidden and NM cable okay?
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I had thought a similar thing that PVC may cut off on a sharp edged K.O in a metal box,(I've seen it happen before) but NM in a metal 2 screw connector would not.
 
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