pre fabbing EGC pigtails

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jeremysterling

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Austin, TX
Is it legal by the NEC to install the pigtail with the 10/32 screw on the outside of the switchbox? I realize the screw will not be serviceable, however, it is not a grounding electrode conductor (the GEC is the only bonding I could find that does require serviceability). The apprentice could install these much faster from the outside.

Along the same line of thought: Is it OK to run the EGC out of a mounting hole of a 4-square box and back in through another? For example, 404.8(B)(2) Voltage Between Adjacent Devices requires a barrier in the 4 square box with 2-gang plaster ring. There are conduits on either side of the barrier. Instead of having 2 bonding screws, can I use 1 screw and route a wire around the back of the 4-square to tie together the EGC's?
 
Im not really answering your question here, but I just dont see how that speeds up the installation any, it should go just as fast the other way if they are using a nut driver to install the pigtail...
 
ultramegabob said:
Im not really answering your question here, but I just dont see how that speeds up the installation any, it should go just as fast the other way if they are using a nut driver to install the pigtail...
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The switch box is 3-1/2" deep. With a cordless drill and standard driver bit, the outside method is a lot faster.
 
IMO
That would not be code compliant.
You would not have access to the screw when the box goes up .

The screw would hit the sheet rock on the back side of the wall.


On the inside put the screw in first, then.
Just bend the wire 'L' shaped with a loop and zip screw it in.
 
buckofdurham said:
IMO
That would not be code compliant.
You would not have access to the screw when the box goes up .

The screw would hit the sheet rock on the back side of the wall.


On the inside put the screw in first, then.
Just bend the wire 'L' shaped with a loop and zip screw it in.
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Please tell me what code says the screw must be accessible?:confused:
 
300.15
". . . a box or conduit body shall be installed at each conductor splice point, outlet point, switch point, junction point, termination point, pull point, unless otherwise permitted in 300.15(A) through (M).

All those methods (A through M) enclose or embed the connection point.

Of course, when outside the box, if the screw became loose, or the connection at that point somehow became deteriorated, and the path was used to clear a fault, any arcs that occured would not be contained.
 
jeremysterling said:
The switch box is 3-1/2" deep. With a cordless drill and standard driver bit, the outside method is a lot faster.
Click to expand...

You could get a 5/16th" nut driver bit to go in the screw gun, they have some with magnetic tips, holds screw much better then a Phillips bit. If you wrap the wire around the screw head before putting it in the box, you can almost install them without looking.
Or you could buy the boxes with them already installed.:D
You really do owe it to your aprientice to teach him to the correct way, don't forget someday someone will have to service one of these boxes, and they will be saying bad words. :rolleyes:
 
Volta said:
300.15
". . . a box or conduit body shall be installed at each conductor splice point, outlet point, switch point, junction point, termination point, pull point, unless otherwise permitted in 300.15(A) through (M).

All those methods (A through M) enclose or embed the connection point.

Of course, when outside the box, if the screw became loose, or the connection at that point somehow became deteriorated, and the path was used to clear a fault, any arcs that occured would not be contained.
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So.....if I'm running EMT and no EGC, then the fitting would be my ground path and by this same logic the screws that tighten that fitting would have to be accessible?
 
paul said:
No, the drywallers do.
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Have you ever noticed how electricians like to argue a point even when they(myself included) know it is a bad idea and would not do it that way.:D
 
acrwc10 said:
Have you ever noticed how electricians like to argue a point even when they(myself included) know it is a bad idea and would not do it that way.:D
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It never hurts to challenge somebody else with a devil's advocate position. It's when you do it just to harass somebody that it becomes stupid.
 
paul said:
So.....if I'm running EMT and no EGC, then the fitting would be my ground path and by this same logic the screws that tighten that fitting would have to be accessible?
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Good point. I think we would might say that the raceway is not being considered a "conductor splice point" for the purpose of that section. That is walking a fine line, I know.

But if the fitting had not been made up tightly, and arcing occured from a ground fault, IMO the arcing would be within the length and circumference of the connector or coupling, which hopefully would contain the bulk of the sparks.

If I think about it this way too much though, I'll need a box around the water pipe connection!
 
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