Electrical – How to determine electrical box size per NEC

electrical

Here is a quick exercise:

  • Wires for two circuits are entering a junction box through one conduit.
  • On the other end, the circuits split into two branches
  • Two neutrals entering (current count = 2)
  • Two hots entering (current count = 4)
  • Two grounds entering (current count = 5)
  • Wire gauge is 12, so total volume is 5 * 2.25 = 12.25 cu inches

Does this calculation have to include wires that are exiting? I will have two 12/2 Romex. If this figures into calculation, 2x the volume is needed (24.5 cu inches).

Edit 1: I should clarify that this will be a junction box without any devices on it. On one end, a 1/2 inch LFMC is entering with a plastic connector, and on the other end, two 12/2 Romex wires will exit individually through a snap on connector each.

Best Answer

Wires exiting have to be counted too. You'd need to add 4 for the two NM cables. Conduit lock nuts, NB snap and outside clamps are not counted in the fill calculations. The grounds leaving with the NM cables don't count either because you've already counted a ground.