Junction Boxes

[Pianoman]

In Ontario Canada, can octagonal boxes be substuted for square boxes when being used as a junction box. I have several octagonal boxes already with covers. Just trying to save some $$$.


Steve

[jlumsden]

Yes. I had 3 of them for junction boxes and passed all my inspections - even after pointing out that they weren't square.

As long as the wires are properly secured, the matching metal cover is on the box, and the box is always accessible - it's fine.

[Pianoman]

Thanks,

Steve...

[doug19]

What does accessable mean? Could it be above a ceiling tile? I assumed it meant out in the open visible. Is this right? I am doing some basement upgrading and have found 4 junction boxes I plan to get rid of. Did people at one time wire this way? I mean the fellow ran power to a JB and then to the light or plug. Why he did not just go to the light,plug or switches I do not know.Oh well I can recover some wire. He certainly did not save any wire by this method. Thankfully he only wired one circuit.

[joed]

It can be above a drop ceiling but not above a permanently installed ceiling.

[Patrone]

Accessible does not mean it has to be visible. As previously stated a junction box can be placed above a suspended ceiling. By moving a tile you can gain access to it. There is also a requirement regarding the amount of working space required around the box. It is acceptable to have a junction box in an attic but not too close to the eaves where space is limited.

Junction box are not normally used for new construction. Cables are run from the panel directly to a device box. There are many reasons for installing a junction box that could include repairing a damaged cable, rerouting a cable during a retrofit and connecting new wiring to older wiring to add a device or during a service upgrade.

As a challenge to your detective skills you can try to figure out why the junction box was installed. You can look for things like newer cables, old cables that are no longer used, and signs of cable rerouting including holes in studs and old staples that were left behind.

Kevin.

[Daveh]

Did people at one time wire this way? I mean the fellow ran power to a JB and then to the light or plug. Why he did not just go to the light,plug or switches I do not know.

The power to to the JB could ave been done by the original electrician as a spare circuit for later use. We often do that in an area that may see future expansion. Run a couple 14/3 spares to octagons in an unfinished basement or crawl. A blank white cover in the basement ceiling is usaly better then cutting a bunch of drywall to fish circuits into the panel later.

[patrickd]

my question is. Can i make a road map to the junction boxes by mesuring the center of the boxes in my basement, laminate this map and post it in the panel box so i do not have to look at ugly cover plates.

[joed]

You can make the road map, but the junction boxes still have to remain accessible.