Open KOs RANT!

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hornetd

hornetd

Senior Member
Location
Maryland
Occupation
Journeyman Electrician, Retired
I went to fish a cable into a 4" square by 2&1/8" deep Jbox working through the plaster ring into a finished wall. I was going to fish to a closer device box that was just big enough for the wire count when I saw the four square in my inspection mirror. I thought "great they'll be plenty of room in there." When I opened the box from the front and looked inside I thought "you and your bright ideas." The box had six open KOs in it! I ended up spending an hour manipulating listed KO plugs into each opening and tightening the screws using right angle screw drivers. The final grief was that none of the open KOs were the correct size or position for my fished cable so I opened a new hole for it. I guess I should be happy that I left the circuit better than I found it. It all passed the "smoke test" after testing clear of grounds and shorts. "Smoke test" may be a local gag. It means the circuit didn't smoke when it was re energized.
--
Tom Horne

"This alternating current stuff is just a fad. It is much too dangerous for general use." Thomas Alva Edison
 
Re: Open KOs RANT!

Originally posted by davedottcom:
Is having an unused NM romex connector a violation?

They are Much easier to install!
Click to expand...
I think it would crowd the box a lot and I don't think it would meet the requirement of
110.12 Mechanical Execution of Work.
Electrical equipment shall be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner.
(A) Unused Openings. Unused cable or raceway openings in boxes,
raceways, auxiliary gutters, cabinets, cutout boxes, meter socket
enclosures, equipment cases, or housings shall be effectively closed to
afford protection substantially equivalent to the wall of the equipment.
Where metallic plugs or plates are used with nonmetallic enclosures,
they shall be recessed at least 6 mm (1/4 in.) from the outer surface of
the enclosure.
Click to expand...
 
Re: Open KOs RANT!

Originally posted by hornetd:
effectively closed to afford protection substantially equivalent to the wall of the equipment.
Click to expand...
The plastic snap-in ones I'm talking about definitely don't offer equivalent protection. :(
 
Re: Open KOs RANT!

"I ended up spending an hour manipulating listed KO plugs into each opening and tightening the screws using right angle screw drivers. "

That is why God made push penny type fillers.
 
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