box size and three way switch wiring

Status
Not open for further replies.
If the travelers of a three way switch are spliced together in a junction box are both wires counted in the box's capacity even though only one pair will carry current at a time?

Robert Johnson
 

roger

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Fl
Occupation
Retired Electrician
Re: box size and three way switch wiring

Robert, yes see 314.16(B)(1)

Roger
 

pierre

Senior Member
Re: box size and three way switch wiring

Robert
The box fill requirements are based on what will 'take space' in the box, not on what draws or uses current. So all conductors, clamps and devices associated with that box are used for box fill, the same is true for pipe fill also.

Pierre
 

tonyi

Senior Member
Re: box size and three way switch wiring

Not necessarily all conductors in the box - something originating in the box that never leaves doesn't count. gnds are counted as one.

ex. a jumper from a receptical to feed a switch. Stays entirely in the box and can be ignored.
 

drtymex

Member
Re: box size and three way switch wiring

I agree with tonyi and the section to back that up in 2002 nec is 314.16(B)(1) last sentence in the paragraph stating :"a conductor, no part of which leaves the box,shall be counted." :cool:
 

roger

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Fl
Occupation
Retired Electrician
Re: box size and three way switch wiring

Drtymex, you need to edit the last few words of your post to include the word "not".

shall be counted."
should be "shall not be counted" ;)

Roger
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top