12awg wire = box fill issues

[2point2]

Need help! (ontario canada)

I'm daisychaining(?)12awg wire on a string of receptacles along each wall in my new-construction workshop. I purchased 15ci boxes thinking these were fine, but this is what my box fill calculations come out to:

4 - 4 Conductors in\out of each box except last.
1 - Ground counts as 1
1 - internal clamps count as 1
2 - duplex receptical counts as 2

total of 8 "conductors" = 2.25*8 = 18 cubic inch!

What is the cleanest way to wire several receptacles with 12awg wire?

 

[sparky 1971]

Take those boxes back and get 22.5 cubic inch boxes if they are available. If you have already nailed them up and can't take them back, throw them away and go buy 22.5 boxes.

 

[Noltz]

Don't skimp on the wire now. Can the boxes be changed out? Just change the boxes. The 12ga will power portable compressors, circular saws and other power hungry tools much better.

I ran 12ga out to a shed in a rental property I had once after the 14ga that was there wouldn't fire my air compressor. I ... didn't mention it to the landlord.

 

[2point2]

no way am i changing the wiring.

22.5 boxes are rare in ontario canada. I don't want to go with plastic because it appears to be rare. My nephew is learning with metal boxes in school. Canadians love tight boxes I guess?

Found some help on diy chatroom. It looks like I'm going to go with a pricey 2004LH box. Easy to find, has location tabs, and is 18.5ci.

 

[SlappyWhite]

Not the full 18.5 but 18 cu.in Iberville boxes (3" deep with the wider sides) are very common in Ontario and basically just over $5 CDN each....

I have also used double boxes and just mount two outlets when box fill is a problem.... if nothing else it makes stuffing it all in there easier and the extra outlet can be a bonus. Just as long as you do not exceed "12" on the circuit of course

 

[Terry D]

Take those boxes back and get 22.5 cubic inch boxes if they are available. If you have already nailed them up and can't take them back, throw them away and go buy 22.5 boxes.

That is all I buy

 

[sparky 1971]

That is all I buy

Me too. I had to make a special trip last summer to get a 18 cubic inch box. I don't remember what was in the wall, but a 22.5 wouldn't fit. It had me all kinds of flustered.