Using Metal Junction Box as Square D Wireway End Plates

[landrand]

I have a bunch of Square D 4"x4"x4 ft wireways laying around that I would like to install in my shop for running electrical wires. The wireways are nice because you can have up to 30 current carrying conducts in the wireway without having to derate the ampacity of the wire. Whereas using EMT conduit, the wire needs to be derated having 4 or more current carrying conductors.

I have a total of 64 feet of the 4x4 wireways, but unfortunately, I don't have all the connectors to interconnect the wireways together nor do I have the end plates to enclose the wireway. I'll have to buy the connectors which sell for about $10 each.

For the end plates, I determined that a 4"x4" standard metal junction/gang box fits perfectly in the end of the wireway. I figured I can just drill a few holes and screw the metal junction box at the end of the wireway. The junction box already has punched hole tabs that can be removed to interconnect the ends of the wireway to EMT conduit.

Would using these standard 4"x4" metal junction boxes at the end of the wireways be code compliant? Although they're not made specifically for the purpose, they appear to fit perfectly and would work well for my use. Thanks for the help and any ideas or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

 

[u2slow]

Code or not, i would do it with good attention to bonding.

 

[rlitman]

My biggest concern would be sharp points of screws facing in towards the wires.

 

[landrand]

My biggest concern would be sharp points of screws facing in towards the wires.

I can easily take the screws out and grind/file those tabs down so they would not exist in the installation.

 

[rlitman]

I can easily take the screws out and grind/file those tabs down so they would not exist in the installation.

I don't think the machine screws in the tabs would be a big issue, but that's an option. I was talking about whatever screws you install to connect the box to the raceway. Don't use self-tappers or pointed sheet metal screws. That's all.

 

[mm08822]

My biggest concern would be sharp points of screws facing in towards the wires.

acorn nuts

 

[mm08822]

None of this would be code compliant as several of the components aren't listed for use with the others as you are intending. Howover, it would be built like a brick sh*t house!

 

[mm08822]

I did some work in an old farmer's shop and he had someone bend up wireway out of sheetmetal decades back. It was all 14 ga galvanized and covers to match. Just as good as a Hoffman product.

I can't say he rolled his own b/c it was square!

 

[yatg]

Would look better if you flipped the box and used a blank cover.
But you'll lose a couple of inches at each end.
Or use a receptacle cover to utilize the box.

 

[mm08822]

Would look better if you flipped the box and used a blank cover.
But you'll lose a couple of inches at each end.
Or use a receptacle cover to utilize the box.

Box extensions with the covers.

 

[LXCam]

Is it really worth the effort..

 

[sparky 1971]

I'd do it in a heartbeat without asking anyone's opinion about it.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Not code compliant as said above but its not a safety or fire hazard if done right. So who’s checkin'???

 

[Chuckster in NJ]