ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Continuous or not?

I would agree that it’s sloppy to see short wires spliced to lengthen them, especially on new work, but I also don’t see anything in 300.14 that says the required "free" conductor has to be one continuous length and unspliced.
I believe the idea is to allow enough wire to be able to install and remove the devices, but that can also be accomplished with spliced conductors.

This is about the only application I see for the Ideal connectors we discussed so recently. I think they would qualify as an 'irreversible compression' type connection.

I would not let anyone get away with calling any stab connector an "irreversible compression" type connection.

The more I think about it, I'm thinking that the length of conductors is needed for splicing as well as installing devices. So maybe Greg is correct in his statement about the conductors need to be continuous. I'm changing my mind and agree with Greg.

I’m not sure I follow on the irreversible compression connector, is this referring to a GEC or splicing an EGC in a box or enclosure?

I think we would all try to work with the installer on old work but if this is new construction, I think that wire should be left long enough or fix it.

I agree that the wire should be left long enough, but sometimes it just isn't. How far do you go for a quarter inch? Since no one measures each outlet after the device is installed, the rule becomes unenforceable.

Considering the amount of wire that can be put in approved boxes attached to devices, like motor junction boxes, limit switches and track light end feed kits, it's an arbitrary rule.

Inspectors should be satisfied to punish the electrician by making him splice onto the wires. Imagine sitting in a court room when a lawyer produces proof that sometimes you don't even check, but one guy had to remove finished drywall.

If you couldn't defend a decision in court in a high-cost case, you shouldn't go there, ever.

I certainly enforce the requirement as unspliced conductor. As a rule of thumb I grab the wire and as long as the wire nuts are on the other side of my hand the wires are long enough. If I have to measure it i measure from the inside of the box where the wire enters and there must be 150mm (6")before it is cut off. Les would require the contractor to get the wire stretcher out of the truck ;-)

You need to pull the receptacles out of the wall or you don't really know how short the wires are after the installation. I suggest you try one of those 1.5 inch deep boxes on the side of an island - especially if it's a 20 amp circuit.

Does the "fist rule" work on 1 inch deep wiremold boxes too, or is that only 4 inches of conductor?

I've never heard of a written defect notice for wire length in a box. If I ever do, I'll start filing complaints when I see infractions. Our inspectors will welcome the extra work.

I have seen where the EC will leave the proper amount of free wire at the outlet but the dry wall people come through and cut their wires. I don't see a problem if you have to add a small piece of wire in order to make the 6" rule.