Does BX require a j-box at the entry point?

[esvee]

I'm running surface outlets in my garage and all power will be coming in from the ceiling. If I transition from romex to BX in a junction box in the attic - can the BX just pass through a hole in the drywall at the wall joint (garage ceiling) or does there need to be a surface mounted junction box on the ceiling?

 

[bamawildcat]

It can pass through a hole. Needs to be secured with 12" of the box and every 4.5 feet.

 

[Jkcolo22]

Somebody may correct me, but I’m pretty sure that all connections must be accessible. Meaning that junction box can’t be hidden in the attic. It should have an exposed face plate. With BX, you should be using metal boxes, and you could use a faceplate with a knockout and run the BX out of that. Kill two birds with one stone.


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[Norcal]

Be aware that AC, "BX" & MC, cable have the same requirements for protection from physical damage as NM cable "Romex®".

 

[Jkcolo22]

Be aware that AC, "BX" & MC, cable have the same requirements for protection from physical damage as NM cable "Romex[emoji2400]".

But isn’t it true that AC BX and MC can be installed in “exposed” locations, whereas NM can be installed in enclosed locations?


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[bamawildcat]

Somebody may correct me, but I’m pretty sure that all connections must be accessible. Meaning that junction box can’t be hidden in the attic. It should have an exposed face plate. With BX, you should be using metal boxes, and you could use a faceplate with a knockout and run the BX out of that. Kill two birds with one stone.

As long as he has access to the attic, no issue with putting a box up there. You would be right however, it can't be buried. I would reckon he would have said put it in the ceiling if he was thinking of burying it.

 

[Norcal]

But isn’t it true that AC BX and MC can be installed in “exposed” locations, whereas NM can be installed in enclosed locations?


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They both have the exact same requirements as NM, if you want exposed use EMT.

 

[esvee]

As long as he has access to the attic, no issue with putting a box up there. You would be right however, it can't be buried. I would reckon he would have said put it in the ceiling if he was thinking of burying it.

Correct - the attic is accessible so no worries there.

 

[Bert_]

Putting unnecessary boxes in an attic is poor workmanship in my opinion. I agree that it's legal but it's easy to avoid it when running new wiring.

 

[Jkcolo22]

Putting unnecessary boxes in an attic is poor workmanship in my opinion. I agree that it's legal but it's easy to avoid it when running new wiring.

Yeah it seems to me that if you are running something through the ceiling anyway, then why not just put a J box in the ceiling and run BX or EMT or whatever out of that.


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[rburke65]

“Unnecessary” boxes would seem to be an opinion.

 

[Bert_]

“Unnecessary” boxes would seem to be an opinion.

Does it need to be there?

Yes it's a little subjective. But it should make you think.

In op's case I think I would sleeve the Romex in emt from the ceiling to the box. Eliminate a splice and box altogether.

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, BX can be landed directly into a box.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

In op's case I think I would sleeve the Romex in emt from the ceiling to the box. Eliminate a splice and box altogether.

That's what I would do as well. It will look 10x better than even the best run of MC down the wall.