Box fill question


  #1  
Old 01-13-06, 06:45 PM
B
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 35
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
Box fill question

The question I have deals with a two outlet Carlon two gang box. Inside the box is some markings for various size wire. I'm using 12 AWG so the marking for me would be 10. Does this mean that 10 conductive wires would fit? For example...

Power in -> 2
3 way wire out -> 3
Power out -> 2
3 way wire in -> 3

So that would be 10.

Now add 1 for ground, plus 1 for built in clamps, plus 4 for the two switches.

That gives a total of 16.

16 * 2.25 is 36. The box is only 32 cubic inches. So, is this a box fill violation or am I missing something?

On a similar topic, I need a two gang box with more that 10 conductive wires. Would you use a 3 gang box and a cover/plate with room for two gangs? I don't remember seeing a cover/plate for a 3 gang box with 2 gang opening at HD or Lowes. Is this something I would have to get at an electrical supply store?

Thanks
 
  #2  
Old 01-13-06, 07:05 PM
J
Member
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: United States
Posts: 17,733
Upvotes: 0
Received 1 Upvote on 1 Post
Yes, that's a box fill violation.

If I needed a box with too many wires for the largest box available, I'd redesign the cable routing to reduce the wires. There's always a way to do it.
 
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
 
Ask a Question
Question Title:
Description:
Your question will be posted in: