I want to connect a wire to get power for for a ceiling fan to an existing junction box in the attic that is used right now only for a smoke detector. Box currently has a 12-3 wire coming in, and the smoke detector wires (connected to a quick disconnect). Plastic box says it can take 8 12-gauge wires. How do I count the three smoke detector wires (white, black, red, smaller than 12-guage)? What's my total count so far, and can I add another 12-2 wire?
I believe the smoke detector wires are 14. Attaching picture.
Best Answer
For box fill calclations, you start with cubic inches...different wires take different amounts of space.
Larger wires require special engineering.
all grounds are broken out and count only as 1 of rhe largest ground wire.
All cable clamps together count as 1 of the largest wire clamped.
If there is a yoke (mounted piece of equipment in the box), that counts as 2 of the largest wire going to it.
You have to total up the cubic inches and make sure the box is big