Robert Ellenberg
Registered User
I would appreciate those of you who know the eletrical code well if I am reading these sections of the IRC correctly and if so, does the NEC read the same way.
My question revolves around calculating fill volume of boxes in looped outlets. Part of E3805.12.2.1 Conductor fill, reads as follows, "Each conductor that originates outside the box and terminates or is spliced within the box shall be counted once, and eah conductor that passes through the box witout splice or termination having a length equal to or greater than twice that required for free conductors by section E3306.10.3, shall be counted twice." Then E3306.10.3 Length of conductor for splice or termination reads, "where conductors are to be spliced, terminated or connectd to fixtures or devices, a minimum length of 6 inches of free conductor shall be provided at each outlet, junction or swith point."
I cannot find a definition for "free conductor" but 3805.12.2.1 seems to be making a distinction between having a continuous wire that is looped inside a box vs one that is cut. However, 3306.10.3 almost reads as if that loop has to be at least 12" in length except it also uses the term I cannot find defined, free conductor, and makes no reference to looped conductors.
So here is the question: can you bring a NM cable into the box as a loop less that 12" in total length, skin a section of insulation off of the midpoint, wrap it around a receptical screw and count it as a single conductor? If not, why not as it seems to meet these requirements as they are written.
I have a shallow wall section with a 1-7/8" deep handy box in a kitchen wall where I would like to loop my #12 wires into the box but it is only 13CI. My current plan is to bring a single piece of NM cable to each outlet and lead them to a junction box under the house. But if what I describe above is a correct reading of the code, it would save having to mess with those junction boxes.
My question revolves around calculating fill volume of boxes in looped outlets. Part of E3805.12.2.1 Conductor fill, reads as follows, "Each conductor that originates outside the box and terminates or is spliced within the box shall be counted once, and eah conductor that passes through the box witout splice or termination having a length equal to or greater than twice that required for free conductors by section E3306.10.3, shall be counted twice." Then E3306.10.3 Length of conductor for splice or termination reads, "where conductors are to be spliced, terminated or connectd to fixtures or devices, a minimum length of 6 inches of free conductor shall be provided at each outlet, junction or swith point."
I cannot find a definition for "free conductor" but 3805.12.2.1 seems to be making a distinction between having a continuous wire that is looped inside a box vs one that is cut. However, 3306.10.3 almost reads as if that loop has to be at least 12" in length except it also uses the term I cannot find defined, free conductor, and makes no reference to looped conductors.
So here is the question: can you bring a NM cable into the box as a loop less that 12" in total length, skin a section of insulation off of the midpoint, wrap it around a receptical screw and count it as a single conductor? If not, why not as it seems to meet these requirements as they are written.
I have a shallow wall section with a 1-7/8" deep handy box in a kitchen wall where I would like to loop my #12 wires into the box but it is only 13CI. My current plan is to bring a single piece of NM cable to each outlet and lead them to a junction box under the house. But if what I describe above is a correct reading of the code, it would save having to mess with those junction boxes.
