iwire, other sections dealing with NM specify measured along the sheath. I am sure the intent of the section is to measure as the cable flys, but the verbage leaves the possibility for the loop outside of the box to be legal. But it would be hard to keep the cable in compliance with 300-4(D). I am just throwing ideas out there to see if the loop above the box would be legal or not. I don't see that practice in this neck of the woods.
