Weatherproof Junction Box Installed Outdoors

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Are you allowed to punch a hole on the top of a weatherproof junction box installed outdoors. The box is an 18" x 18" x 4" with 2" EMT entering the box from the top and the side.
 
Sure, you can. You need to make sure that penetration is still weatherproof, however. A Meyers type hub would do the trick. Some will accept a regular terminal adaptor with a sealing ring and sealing locknut. I like to use the sealing rings for side entries, and use a proper hub for top entries.
 
Although a sealing locknut will satisfy the code requirement IMO a Meyers hub would be a better installation, but at a greater cost.
 
Hole in PVC Box

Hole in PVC Box

Be sure and check the manufacturer's info that comes with the box.
There are a couple of them out there that specifically state that you are not to cut a hole in the top of the box no matter how you terminate the conduit. This may be because of the way that the sides angle in.
I was not aware of these restrictions until last year when an inspection failed because the manufacturer of the box we used had this restriction.
The inspector would not accept a Myer's hub so we had to take the installation apart and rework the conduits.
Seemed a little picky but he was right when we checked the specs.
I don't remember the brand but will look into it.
 
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dezwitinc said:
Be sure and check the manufacturer's info that comes with the box.
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I believe you, but I have yet to see a 3R junction box that came with instructions or white papers of any sort. I'd be most interested to know what brand that might be. I looked over the few I have on hand when you typed this a while back, and none of mine seem to have any such restriction. I even read all the little stickers. If there's a certain brand with this wacky restriction, I'd like to not buy that brand if I can help it.
 
infinity said:
Although a sealing locknut will satisfy the code requirement IMO a Meyers hub would be a better installation, but at a greater cost.
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Sure, that's the way to fly. Even with a Meyers hub, I like to put a light bead of silicone on the sealing portions of the hub fitting before I make it up tight. With these PVC weatherproof boxes, you need to drill a couple of drain holes too, since the manufacturer doesn't know how you're going to orient the box.
 
you need to drill a couple of drain holes too, since the manufacturer doesn't know how you're going to orient the box.
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Good point.

Try to make it small enough that a Yellow jacket (bee) can't crawl in it for nesting.
 
mdshunk said:
Sure, that's the way to fly. Even with a Meyers hub, I like to put a light bead of silicone on the sealing portions of the hub fitting before I make it up tight. With these PVC weatherproof boxes, you need to drill a couple of drain holes too, since the manufacturer doesn't know how you're going to orient the box.
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I've heard of inspectors around my area failing inspections if they see silicone in weatherheads. They say it's not listed to be used with the cable. I wonder if they would have the same argument for silicone on a hub?

Did you know unused openings in bell boxes with the plug that is supplied with them installed is not raintite? I saw the note stamped inside of a box on Friday that said, plugs are only raintite if silicone is applied. Never noticed that before.
 
kpepin said:
Did you know unused openings in bell boxes with the plug that is supplied with them installed is not raintite? I saw the note stamped inside of a box on Friday that said, plugs are only raintite if silicone is applied. Never noticed that before.
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The ones I usually use come with a little tube of thread sealant.
 
mdshunk said:
Even with a Meyers hub With these PVC weatherproof boxes,
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2" PVC into a Meyers hub into PVC J-box?

How do you bond the hub? I haven't seen a Meyers hub that had enough thread left for a bond bushing.
 
chris kennedy said:
2" PVC into a Meyers hub into PVC J-box?

How do you bond the hub? I haven't seen a Meyers hub that had enough thread left for a bond bushing.
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You run into the same problem when you're trying to put a bushing on a PVC terminal adaptor when you're running conductors #4 and larger.
 
mdshunk said:
You run into the same problem when you're trying to put a bushing on a PVC terminal adaptor when you're running conductors #4 and larger.
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I agree, the threads on PVC TA's should be longer. I use a 1/2" TA that has a thread so long I have to cut about 1/8" off so I can bury it into a bell box.(does that void UL approval?)

The same people that make the 1/4" thick PVC J-box make the TA's that are too short.
 
J Box - Myers Hub

J Box - Myers Hub

Recently had an inspector in Palm Beach County require bond bushings on metal Myers hubs used with PVC conduit and boxes.
I guess he was right.
Keep it in mind because it is a pain to remove the conductors to bond the hubs.
There are PVC Myers hubs available although I have not found them to be readily available.
 
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How do you bond the hub? I haven't seen a Meyers hub that had enough thread left for a bond bushing.
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They make them with a little tab and tapped hole on the nut for this purpose. Look at the top of the second page here.
Don
 
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