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Max No. Of Wires Allowed Per Code For A 4" x 2" Elect. Switch/Gang Box ?

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Max No. Of Wires Allowed Per Code For A 4" x 2" Elect. Switch/Gang Box ? Robert11 08-18-2005
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Posted by Robert11 on August 18, 2005, 3:33 pm


Hello:

Relative to the standard 4 inch x 2 inch electrical gang (switch) box
that is sized to hold one room on-off wall switch nicely, have the following
question:

Per the Code, what is the maximum number of wires allowed inside ?

Or, is it (also) based on the maximum number of wire nuts allowed ?

Or,... ?

Would like to use it correctly; not much room in it for anything.

Thanks,
B.




Posted by Ken on August 18, 2005, 1:15 pm



Robert11 wrote:
> Hello:
>
> Relative to the standard 4 inch x 2 inch electrical gang (switch) box
> that is sized to hold one room on-off wall switch nicely, have the following
> question:
>
> Per the Code, what is the maximum number of wires allowed inside ?
>
> Or, is it (also) based on the maximum number of wire nuts allowed ?
>
> Or,... ?
>
> Would like to use it correctly; not much room in it for anything.
>
> Thanks,
> B.

Depends on how many cubic inches the box is, the boxes come in
different depths. Cubic inch capacity should be stamped on the box by
the manufacturer.

Here is how you figure the size of the box you need:

http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/pages/h00134.asp

Ken



Posted by Ken on August 18, 2005, 1:19 pm



>
> Here is how you figure the size of the box you need:
>
> http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/pages/h00134.asp
>


Gee, I just noticed that I gave the exact same answer that was given in
another post for basically the same question.

Ken



Posted by Robert11 on August 18, 2005, 4:22 pm


Hi Ken,

Just a quick thanks.

Appreciate your help and opinion, as always.

Thanks,
Bob

--------------
>
> Robert11 wrote:
>> Hello:
>>
>> Relative to the standard 4 inch x 2 inch electrical gang (switch) box
>> that is sized to hold one room on-off wall switch nicely, have the
>> following
>> question:
>>
>> Per the Code, what is the maximum number of wires allowed inside ?
>>
>> Or, is it (also) based on the maximum number of wire nuts allowed ?
>>
>> Or,... ?
>>
>> Would like to use it correctly; not much room in it for anything.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> B.
>
> Depends on how many cubic inches the box is, the boxes come in
> different depths. Cubic inch capacity should be stamped on the box by
> the manufacturer.
>
> Here is how you figure the size of the box you need:
>
> http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/pages/h00134.asp
>
> Ken
>




Posted by John Grabowski on August 18, 2005, 4:48 pm


Article 314 and table 314.16(A) address this issue.

A 4" square x 21/8"deep box is allowed to have 15- #14 wires or 13-#12
wires. Adding a device ring or surface cover will give you additional cubic
inches thereby permitting additional conductors. You must deduct 2
conductors for each wiring device (Switch or receptacle). Pigtails don't
count. Grounding conductor wires count as one. Cable clamps inside the box
count as one. Conductors must be long enough to extend a minimum of 3"
outside of the box (300.14).

A 4" x 21/8" x 21/8" deep is permitted to have 7 #14's and 6 #12's. Same
rules apply.


John Grabowski
http://www.mrelectrician.tv



> Hello:
>
> Relative to the standard 4 inch x 2 inch electrical gang (switch) box
> that is sized to hold one room on-off wall switch nicely, have the
following
> question:
>
> Per the Code, what is the maximum number of wires allowed inside ?
>
> Or, is it (also) based on the maximum number of wire nuts allowed ?
>
> Or,... ?
>
> Would like to use it correctly; not much room in it for anything.
>
> Thanks,
> B.
>
>



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