Too much in one box?

[expatriated]

I ran some wire and installed a light fixture in my son's closet today. Everything worked out fine but I started thinking maybe I jammed too much into the outlet box. What do you guys think?

This is what was wired:

Power coming into outlet #1, then run to a switch which controls outlet 2. A middle of the run outlet, I think the pros call it?

This is what I added:

I ran wire from outlet #1 to a new switch that controls the 23W light fixture.

So, basically 1 outlet runs power out to 2 switches, 1 switch that controls an outlet and one switch that controls the light fixture. It seemed a little tight getting all the wiring back into the outlet box, that's why I ask.

On the other hand, nothing's on fire yet

What say you guys? (everything is 14/2wg if that matters, running off a 15A)

Thanks

 

[jmh21586]

 

[expatriated]

Whew, I feel better. Thanks.

 

[jmh21586]

Not to say that yours is or isn't safe.

 

[expatriated]

Well, I can get the plate back on mine. Maybe that's my new standard--if the plate can go on, all is good

 

[jmh21586]

Good start. IMO the main thing is that your not drawing more amps than is safe. Not so much what you have goin on in a box. But I'm no electrician.

 

[Number22]

Well, I can get the plate back on mine. Maybe that's my new standard--if the plate can go on, all is good

My thoughts exactly. If you can fold the wires in neatly, without tangling everything and getting ground wires too close to hot wires, and close it up without a hammer, you're good.

 

[Coach James]

What size box is it? Was it difficult to get everything back in the box?

Coach

 

[oleguy]

folding wire neatly is good.but remember every size box has a capicity.example a 18cubic inch box can have only 8 #12 wires.#12 wire factor is 2.25 ci per wire.# 14 wire is 2ci.

 

[hidollartoys]

Some addilional "wire equivalents" are: box clamps count as one wire, switches and receptacles count as two wires, grounds count as one wire. A little more than just "countin' wires".

 

[expatriated]

What size box is it? Was it difficult to get everything back in the box?

Coach

Yes, it was a little tough. there are now 3 blacks with a pigtail, 3 whites with a pigtail and 3 grounds with a pigtail. 14's.

It's a larger box but I don't recall the cu in--25 sound right?

I think the main reason it was so tough is that the original wiring was like 8 inches long. I should have cut some of that off.

I put nuts on everything and folded it in as neatly as possible.

What is an alternative?

 

[hidollartoys]

Yes, it was a little tough. there are now 3 blacks with a pigtail, 3 whites with a pigtail and 3 grounds with a pigtail. 14's.

It's a larger box but I don't recall the cu in--25 sound right?

I think the main reason it was so tough is that the original wiring was like 8 inches long. I should have cut some of that off.

I put nuts on everything and folded it in as neatly as possible.

What is an alternative?

Install a larger box.

Based on the description you have at least 9 wire equivalents all #14. The minimum box volumn for this would be 18 cu. in. If you have any box clamps in the box you would have a minimum volumn requirement of 20 cu.in.

This breaks down as one wire count for each black, one wire count for each white, two wire counts for the recept., one wire count for all the grounds and one wire count for all box clamps. There are no wire counts for the pigtails.

 

[royalton10]

I have been rewiring my garage the last few months. Previous owner did some pretty stupid things that I have fixed. Used almost 400 feet of wire in that time.

I am now in the habit of buying the deepest octagon boxes I can find when needing to do new junctions boxes. It works so much easier than trying to fit all of that wire into a shallow box. I rounded up the shallow ones I had and gave to the the local Habitat for Humanity recycle store.

 

[mmg440]

How about giving you box more space with a box extention? It would give more room so you would not have to fold so many wires as far and much simpler as a retro fit then changing the box. I am asuming it is inside the closet so it won't be to unsightly.

 

[Git]

They make a single gang box with a curved extension that goes off to the side so you can slip the box in old work and have some more room

 

[expatriated]

I replaced the box. Took out the old one and put a new one in. Don't know the brand but it was the deepest one I could find. Blue, plastic one with flip-up clamps that grip the back of the drywall when you turn the screws on the face.

I appreciate your input guys. So, if I'm reading your responses, the only issue is the amount of wiring in the box, right? Just adding one more switch to this outlet and a 23W flor. bulb isn't a problem? There is very little pulling on this circuit--a couple of hall lights and the lights in my son's room.

 

[hidollartoys]

I replaced the box. Took out the old one and put a new one in. Don't know the brand but it was the deepest one I could find. Blue, plastic one with flip-up clamps that grip the back of the drywall when you turn the screws on the face.

I appreciate your input guys. So, if I'm reading your responses, the only issue is the amount of wiring in the box, right? Just adding one more switch to this outlet and a 23W flor. bulb isn't a problem? There is very little pulling on this circuit--a couple of hall lights and the lights in my son's room.

Two different issues. It seemed that your original question was related to "box fill". The load issue is different and is slightly more complicated. The short answer is if the wire guage you used corresponded with the circuit breaker (fuse) as required by code then you are ok. If the breaker(fuse) is overloaded then time will tell.

 

[expatriated]

Yeah, that was my original question because that is my only concern. The 14 ga for that breaker is fine and the load is minimal. I had just never run a switch off an outlet that already had a switch running off it. Obviously I'm not an electrician, so that was a concern for me.

Although the physical space of the box and its constraints was a concern, I was wondering if it is done (properly) to run 2 switches off of one outlet?

I feel comfortable with the load and the gauge, just wasn't sure of adding that switch to an outlet. My other thoughts were to insert another outlet in between that one and the switch and then run 1 switch off of each outlet. But that seemed like that would look terrible.

 

[WinFred]

how many individual wires total are in that box and what sixe is the box?

 

[Mattlt]

Switching gears slightly... you said you installed a light fixture in a closet? Isn't there a code requirement as to type of fixture and/or distance from clothing/shelving? Since you mention 23W I'm going to assume it's a fluorescent, so you should be ok.

Incandescent bulbs too close to your sweaters can be a problem!