Receptable Wire Length

I am wiring my basement and wonder how long the wire needs to be inside each receptable box to wire the power or light fixtures. Also, I know you need to use copper crimps for the ground wires so they don't come loose but someone told me you can use wire nuts for the ceiling fixtures. Is that correct? Also some of the light switches are dimmers which have their own ground wire attached, can wire nuts be used in that case as they aren't that long and if you had to remove that switch and ground for some reason removing the crimped piece may force you to cut the switch ground wire which already is pretty short. Is that an exception.

 

Wires for termination in a box should be at least six inches long to provide easy access as well as allowing room future troubleshooting.
Wirenuts can be used in the ceiling fixtures as well as on the dimmers, You must make sure they are as tight as you can get them on the wire to assure they don't come loose.

 

I would advise not using the copper crimp rings anywhere. Green wire nuts are easier for the DIYer to use in a manner acceptable to the inspector, and they can be used everywhere. There are more ways to use the crimp rings incorrectly.

 

Where is the 6 inch wire measured from? Its been a while since I wire a home where there has been any insp.

 

The 6" is measured from where the wire enters the box.

 

That sounds like a better idea than the copper crimps. I assume the wire nuts have some kind of screw where you thread the ground wire through and tighten the screw to hold them in place? Sound easier especially if you have to make changes, I was under the impression you had to use the crimps per code so I will stop at the Depot and pick some wire nuts up.

 

Don't have my code book with me, but technically I think the 6 inches is measured from where the wires emerge from the sheathing (assuming you are using Romex). This might be a little bit inside the box. I'd suggest leaving 8 to 10 inches there for good measure -- gives you more leeway to screw up later. You can always make a wire shorter, but it's hard to make it longer.

Many inspector prefer the green nuts to the crimps. The green nuts have a hole in the end. You leave one ground wire long to feed through the hole, and attach it to the other grounding wires with the nut.