Pancake Box for light fixture

[JoeNorm]

I know there have been other threads on this topic.

Often a pancake is all that will work. Either layout is right on a rafter or beam. But then of course there is not enough room for (2) 14-2. You could junction somewhere and send only the one cable to the pancake? Could be a lot of long runs in some homes.

Do installers/inspectors often look the other way on this one assuming the canopy will have the extra room?

 

[letgomywago]

A 3o pancake can't even fit 1 14-2. Still if it's all that can work I've never been told to use a bigger box. WA inspectors have been in the tough spots too and sometimes that is the closest thing to compliant that will work.

 

[ptonsparky]

IIRC, you can use the cu in of the canopy. I've also used the fan boxes that are half pan .

 

[infinity]

IIRC, you can use the cu in of the canopy. I've also used the fan boxes that are half pan .

Where do you find the cubic inch volume of the canopy? Isn't it required to be marked with the volume for you to add it to the box volume?

 

[tthh]

The Arlington hybrid pancake boxes have a lot of room on the side that goes up against the joist.

 

[ActionDave]

Where do you find the cubic inch volume of the canopy? Isn't it required to be marked with the volume for you to add it to the box volume?

It doesn't say factory marked so if push comes to shove calculate the cubic inches and write it on the inside with a sharpie.

 

[infinity]

I don't see how writing the volume with a sharpie satisfies the marking requirement to add the volume of a domed cover {310.16(A)}. I've never seen one marked so IMO that point is moot. However you may get relief from 310.16(B)(1) Exception.

314.16(A) Box Volume Calculations.
The volume of a wiring enclosure (box) shall be the total volume of the assembled sections and, where used, the space provided by plaster rings, domed covers, extension rings, and so forth, that are marked with their volume or are made from boxes the dimensions of which are listed in Table 314.16(A). Where a box is provided with one or more securely installed barriers, the volume shall be apportioned to each of the resulting spaces. Each barrier, if not marked with its volume, shall be considered to take up 8.2 cm3 (1∕ 2 in.3) if metal, and 16.4 cm3 (1.0 in.3) if nonmetallic.

314.16(B)(1) Conductor Fill.
Each conductor that originates outside the box and terminates or is spliced within the box shall be counted once, and each conductor that passes through the box without splice or termination shall be counted once. Each loop or coil of unbroken conductor not less than twice the minimum length required for free conductors in 300.14 shall be counted twice. The conductor fill shall be calculated using Table 314.16(B). A conductor, no part of which leaves the box, shall not be counted.
Exception: An equipment grounding conductor or conductors or not over four fixture wires smaller than 14 AWG, or both, shall be permitted to be
omitted from the calculations where they enter a box from a domed luminaire or similar canopy and terminate within that box.

 

[ptonsparky]

It doesn't say factory marked so if push comes to shove calculate the cubic inches and write it on the inside with a sharpie.

You beat me to it.