Pancake Boxes

[ptonsparky]

Probably here too, was trying to be conservative

Let's just say I'm always surprised when replacing fixtures to find a box.

I would almost expect it on homes, but we found some fixtures hung on a drive thru coffee without them. These were inspected buildings, not 5 years old at the time and fixtures were already falling off the facade. I don't think the owner liked the cost to install boxes and hang new fixtures. Real PIA after the fact.

 

[Hv&Lv]

Isn't the fixture required to be marked with a volume for it to be added to the box volume?

I'm a little out of the loop here, but doesn’t the exception allow for the fixture wires themselves (up to 4) to be omitted count here?

 

[hillbilly1]

I wouldn't go back and change, but would take drastic measures to prevent it happening in the future

(Around here, probly 35% of exterior lites are installed without boxes)

Probably more like 75%. Most are just stubbed out, box (if) added later after siding is put up. Especially lap siding, so the fixture will be straight.

 

[electrofelon]

They make a 1/2 in 3o pancake extension to build your own.

You are proposing to use a 3.5" pancake on a 4" pancake as an extension ring? How would that work? How about taking another 4" and pinching out the back to say 3.5"?

 

[infinity]

I'm a little out of the loop here, but doesn’t the exception allow for the fixture wires themselves (up to 4) to be omitted count here?

Yes fixture wires smaller than #14 but not the branch circuit wires contained in the OP's (2)-14/2 cables

 

[Hv&Lv]

Yes fixture wires smaller than #14 but not the branch circuit wires contained in the OP's (2)-14/2 cables

Ahhh. (1) 14/2, not two of them..
told you I was out of my zone a little..

 

[curt swartz]

In my area virtually all exterior walls have 1/2 shear (plywood or OSB). 7/8" stucco is the most common finish next is some form of Hardie siding.

For stucco if the exterior light lands on a stud/post and is single ended I use a 4/0 pancake. If there will be 2 cables I drill a 4" hole in the shear and chisel 1/4" out of the stud so a standard 4/0 1-5/8 deep box can be used.

For siding the GC's install 2X4 blocks slightly larger than the fixture canopy on top of the shear. The same 4/0 1-5/8 deep box can be installed directly to the shear.

For Stucco that has no structural member in the way I drill a 4" hole and use an NM 4/0 bar hanger box.