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Jbox in crawling space 2017 nec

17K views 13 replies 9 participants last post by  manchestersparky  
#1 ·
Hello guys....officially my first question here. I just got into an argument with a general contractor. He said the 2017 NEC says jboxes cannot go in a crawl space. Anyone know if this is true? Can anyone reference the yes or no answer....
Thanks any help appreciated.
 
#3 ·
A search of the NEC 2017 app reveals only three mentions of the word crawl.

110.26(A)(4)(a) Where equipment is installed above a lay-in ceiling, there shall be an opening not smaller than 559 mm × 559 mm (22 in. × 22 in.), or in a crawl space, there shall be an accessible opening not smaller than 559 mm × 762 mm (22 in. × 30 in.).

210.8(A) Dwelling Units
All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in the locations specified in 210.8(A)(1) through (10) shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.
210.8(A)(4)
Crawl spaces — at or below grade level

And

334.15(C) In Unfinished Basements and Crawl Spaces.
Where cable is run at angles with joists in unfinished basements and crawl spaces, it shall be permissible to secure cables not smaller than two 6 AWG or three 8 AWG conductors directly to the lower edges of the joists. Smaller cables shall be run either through bored holes in joists or on running boards. Nonmetallic-sheathed cable installed on the wall of an unfinished basement shall be permitted to be installed in a listed conduit or tubing or shall be protected in accordance with 300.4. Conduit or tubing shall be provided with a suitable insulating bushing or adapter at the point the cable enters the raceway. The sheath of the nonmetallic-sheathed cable shall extend through the conduit or tubing and into the outlet or device box not less than 6 mm (1∕ 4 in.). The cable shall be secured within 300 mm (12 in.) of the point where the cable enters the conduit or tubing. Metal conduit, tubing, and metal outlet boxes shall be connected to an equipment grounding conductor complying with the provisions of 250.86 and 250.148.

So no. No problem with a j box in a crawl space.
 
#12 · (Edited)
Art. 314.29 says you can, so long as the box can be rendered accessible without removing the building finish........

314.29 Boxes, Conduit Bodies, and Handhole Enclosures to Be Accessible.
Boxes, conduit bodies, and handhole enclosures shall be installed so that the wiring contained in them can be rendered accessible without removing any part of the building or, in underground circuits, without excavating sidewalks, paving, earth, or other substance that is to be used to establish the finished grade.
Exception:  Listed boxes and handhole enclosures shall be permitted where covered by gravel, light aggregate, or noncohesive granulated soil if their location is effectively identified and accessible for excavation.
Also, from Art. 100:

Accessible (as applied to wiring methods).
Capable of being removed or exposed without damaging the building structure or finish or not permanently closed in by the structure or finish of the building.
 
#13 ·
NFPA 70[emoji768]: NEC[emoji768] 2017 Edition by NFPA

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nfpa-70-nec-2017-edition/id1176208502?mt=8

Costs the same as a physical code book (highway robbery). But man is it nice to be able to search for keywords. Saves tons of time and makes me more likely to double check things on the spot than stomping back to the gangbox and leafing through the book for half an hour.

Now I’m sure someone will post a link to a searchable nec on the web for free or some rot. Even though it’s copyrighted. With the app, you don’t need cell service.

Castigate me now, ye hordes of web trolls! I shall stand by my purchase and laugh you to scorn, and your children to scorn, and your children’s children, even unto the third and fourth generation of them that mock me! It’s my money!