A better junction box?

[MushCreek]

I hate having to use a junction box, full of wires coming and going with lots of wire nuts. It just seems hack to me, and hard to modify and service. Instead, could I use terminal strips to distribute power? In an effort to simplify the wiring in my barn, and minimize the number of circuits, I'd like to have about 5 cables in one box. It's just for lighting, which is all LED. The total load, if everything is on all at once is only about 400 watts. I could take a suitable size enclosure, put in three terminal strips, and make nice clean connections, with everything clearly labeled. Would that meet code? Is there a reason (besides cost) why J boxes aren't done this way? Power distribution is done this way in machine tools, and it's so much cleaner.

 

[Dave Nelson]

I've never done that in any residential application, not saying it couldn't be done after checking code. I would increase the size of the junction box ( if there is room) or add a extension ring to allow wires to be folded neatly in box.

 

[tyme2par4]

As long as you are using properly listed connectors, I don't see any reason you couldn't do that.
As for why it's not standard practice, probably because wire nuts are a lot cheaper and faster.

 

[Bert_]

Why do you need 5 cables in a box? Most of the time it can be designed so there's no more than three cables in any box.

 

[MushCreek]

I have different lighting switches that aren't very close together, so I'd have to run power further than coming out of a junction box. I looked at terminal strips at HD, but didn't like them much. They didn't seem to have the jumper strips, or insulated covers.

 

[sberry]

Do it the way it's commonly done. Wire nuts are very good, if it's designed right you won't need to modify it and it won need maintenance.