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Code 134
Article 314 Introduction
This Article contains installation requirements for outlet
boxes, pull and junction boxes, conduit bodies, and handhole
enclosures.
74
314.16 Number of 6 AWG and Smaller
Conductors in Boxes and Conduit Bodies
Boxes containing 6 AWG and smaller conductors must
be sized to provide sufficient free space for all conductors,
devices, and fittings. In no case can the volume of the box, as
calculated in 314.16(A), be less than the volume requirement
as calculated in 314.16(B).
Conduit bodies must be sized in accordance with 314.16(C).
AUTHORS COMMENT: The requirements for sizing boxes and
conduit bodies containing conductors 4 AWG and larger are con-
tained in 314.28.
(A) Box Volume Calculations. The volume of a box includes
the total volume of its assembled parts, including plaster
rings, extension rings, and domed covers that are either
marked with their volume in cubic inches (cu in.) or are made
from boxes listed in Table 314.16(A). Figure 3145
(B) Box Fill Calculations. The calculated conductor volume
determined by (1) through (5) and Table 314.16(B) are added
together to determine the total volume of the conductors,
devices, and fittings. Raceway and cable fittings, including
locknuts and bushings, are not counted for box fill calcula-
tions. Figure 3146
(1) Conductor Fill. Each conductor that runs through a box
and does not have 6 in. of free conductor for splices or ter-
minations in accordance 300.14, and each conductor that ter-
minates in a box is counted as a single conductor volume in
accordance with Table 310.16(B). Conductors that originate
and terminate within the box, such as pigtails, arent counted
at all. Figure 3147
Figure 3145
Figure 3146
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AUTHORS COMMENTS:
According to 300.14, at least 6 in. of free conductor, mea-
sured from the point in the box where the conductors enter
the enclosure, must be left at each outlet, junction, and switch
point for splices or terminations of luminaires or devices.
Conductor loops occupy space and a box can be excessively
filled if we do not take into consideration the increased con-
ductor volume. This can create a serious fire hazard, espe-
cially when an electronic device is installed in an outlet box
without adequate room for heat dissipation.
Exception: Equipment grounding (bonding) conductors, and
not more than four 16 AWG and smaller fixture wires, can be
omitted from box fill calculations if they enter the box from a
domed luminaire or similar canopy, such as a ceiling paddle fan
canopy. Figure 3148
(2) Cable Clamp Fill. One or more internal cable clamps
count as a single conductor volume in accordance with Table
310.16(B), based on the largest conductor that enters the box.
Cable connectors that have their clamping mechanism out-
side the box arent counted.
(3) Support Fitting Fill. Each luminaire stud or luminaire
hickey counts as a single conductor volume in accordance
with Table 310.16(B), based on the largest conductor that
enters the box. Figure 3149
(4) Device Yoke Fill. Each device yoke (regardless of the
ampere rating of the device) counts as two conductor volumes
in accordance with Table 310.16(B), based on the largest con-
ductor that terminates on the device. Figure 31410
Figure 3147
Figure 3148
Figure 3149
Figure 31410
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Table 314.16(B)
Conductor AWG Volume cu in.
18 1.50
16 1.75
14 2.00
12 2.25
10 2.50
8 3.00
6 5.00
(5) Equipment Grounding (Bonding) Conductor Fill. All equip-
ment grounding (bonding) conductors in a box count as a
single conductor volume in accordance with Table 310.16(B),
based on the largest equipment grounding (bonding) con-
ductor that enters the box. Equipment grounding (bonding)
conductors for isolated ground circuits count as a single
conductor volume in accordance with Table 310.16(B).
Figure 31411
AUTHORS COMMENT: The conductor insulation is not a factor
for box volume calculations.
Question: How many 14 THHN conductors can be pulled through a 4 in.
square x 2
1
4 in. deep box with a plaster ring with a marking of 3.6 cu
in.? The box contains two receptacles, five 12 AWG conductors, and two
12 THHN equipment grounding (bonding) conductors. Figure 31412
(a) 3 (b) 5 (c) 7 (d) 9
Answer: (b) 5
Step 1: Volume of the box assembly [314.16(A)].
Box 30.3 cu in. + 3.6 cu in. plaster ring = 33.9 cu in.
AUTHORS COMMENT: A 4 x 4 x 2
1
4 in. box would have a
gross volume of 34 cu in., but the interior volume is 30.3
cu in., as listed in Table 314.16(A).
Step 2: Determine the volume of the devices and conductors in the
box.
Tworeceptacles 412 AWG
Five12 THHN 512 AWG
Two12 AWG Grounds 112 AWG
Total 1012 AWG x 2.25 cu in. = 22.5 cu in.
Step 3: Determine the remaining volume permitted for the 14 AWG
conductors.
33.9 cu in. 22.5 cu in. = 11.4 cu in.
Step 4: Determine the number of 14 AWG conductors permitted in the
remaining volume.
11.4 cu in./2.0 cu in. = 5 conductors
(C) Conduit Bodies.
(2) Splices. Splices are only permitted in conduit bodies that
are legibly marked, by the manufacturer, with their volume.
The maximum number of conductors permitted in a conduit
body is limited in accordance with 314.16(B).
Question: How many 12 AWG conductors can be spliced in a 15 cu in.
conduit body? Figure 31413
(a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 8 (d) 10
Answer: (b) 6 conductors (15 cu in./2.25 cu in.)
Figure 31411
Figure 31412
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75
314.23 Support of Boxes
and Conduit Bodies
Boxes must be securely supported by one of the following
methods:
(A) Surface. Boxes can be fastened to any surface that pro-
vides adequate support.
(B) Structural Mounting. Boxes can be supported from a
structural member of a building or from grade by a metal,
plastic, or wood brace.
(1) Nails and Screws. Nails or screws can be used to fasten
boxes, provided the exposed threads of screws are protected
to prevent abrasion of conductor insulation.
(2) Braces. Metal braces no less than 0.020 in. thick and wood
braces not less than a nominal 1 x 2 in. can support a box.
(C) Finished Surface Support. Boxes can be secured to a fin-
ished surface (drywall or plaster walls or ceilings) by clamps,
anchors, or fittings identified for the purpose. Figure 31421
(D) Suspended-Ceiling Support. Outlet boxes can be sup-
ported to the structural or supporting elements of a sus-
pended ceiling, if securely fastened by one of the following
methods:
(1) Ceiling-Framing Members. An outlet box can be secured
to suspended-ceiling framing members by bolts, screws, rivets,
clips, or other means identified for the suspended-ceiling
framing member(s). Figure 31422
AUTHORS COMMENT: Luminaires can be supported to ceiling
framing members as well [410.16(C)].
(2) Independent Support Wires. Outlet boxes can be secured,
with fittings identified for the purpose, to independent sup-
port wires that are taut and secured at both ends [300.11(A)].
Figure 31423
AUTHORS COMMENT: See 300.11(A) on the use of indepen-
dent support wires to support raceways and cables.
(E) Raceway SupportBoxes and Conduit Bodies Without
Devices or Luminaires. Two intermediate metal or rigid metal
conduits threaded wrenchtight can be used to support an
outlet box that does not contain a device or luminaire, if each
raceway is supported within 36 in. of the box, or within 18 in.
if all conduit entries are on the same side. Figure 31424
Figure 31413
Figure 31421
Figure 31422
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(H) Pendant Boxes.
(1) Flexible Cord. Boxes can be supported from a cord that is
connected to fittings that prevent tension from being trans-
mitted to joints or terminals [400.10]. Figure 31426
(F) Raceway SupportBoxes and Conduit Bodies with Devices
or Luminaires. Two intermediate metal or rigid metal con-
duits threaded wrenchtight can be used to support an outlet
box containing devices or luminaires, if each raceway is sup-
ported within 18 in. of the box. Figure 31425
Figure 31423
Figure 31424
Figure 31425
Figure 31426