Odd Electrical Box

[Jerry Simon]

Lower switch/recept box attaches to a j-box above using a pivot-type stem thingy, like a ceiling fan. Anyone know anything about this, why it might be used?

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[Jim Baird]

for flexibility...is it listed?

[Jack Davenport]

That is commonly referred to as a swivel. They are designed to hang high bay light fixtures from. The reason for the swivel is the light can hang straight on a sloped ceiling.

That set up is incorrect as installed. That box is not designed to be hung and suspended with the locknuts holding it

[John Kogel]

He made it swivel in case something tall bumps into it, like Andre the Giant packing a canoe. []

I give him points for that but if he put the switch on the wall where it is supposed to be, nobody would bump into it. Too clever, not allowed.

Solid strand wire is not designed to be flexed, but what if he used stranded? I guess the switch would have to be in an insulated box, like the controlds for a hoist.

[Jack Davenport]

being insulated, containing a switch or receptacle is not the issue with that install. The issue is the type of box and the mounting means is the issue.

314.23(F) ( in the NEC)

(F) Raceway-Supported Enclosures, with Devices, Luminaires, or Lampholders. An enclosure that contains a device(s), other than splicing devices, or supports a luminaire(s), lampholder, or other equipment and is supported by entering raceways shall not exceed 1650 cm3 (100 in.3) in size. It shall have threaded entries or have hubs identified for

the purpose. It shall be supported by two or more conduits threaded wrenchtight into the enclosure or hubs. Each conduit shall be secured within 450 mm (18 in.) of the enclosure.

Exception No. 1: Rigid metal or intermediate metal conduit shall be permitted to support a conduit body of any size, including a conduit body constructed with only one conduit entry, provided the trade size of the conduit body is not larger than the largest trade size of the conduit.

Exception No. 2: An unbroken length(s) of rigid or intermediate metal conduit shall be permitted to support a box used for luminaire or lampholder support, or to support a wiring enclosure that is an integral part of a luminaire and

used in lieu of a box in accordance with 300.15(B), where all of the following conditions are met:

(a) The conduit is securely fastened at a point so that the length of conduit beyond the last point of conduit support

does not exceed 900 mm (3 ft).

(b) The unbroken conduit length before the last point of conduit support is 300 mm (12 in.) or greater, and that portion of the conduit is securely fastened at some point not less than 300 mm (12 in.) from its last point of support.

© Where accessible to unqualified persons, the luminaire or lampholder, measured to its lowest point, is at least

2.5 m (8 ft) above grade or standing area and at least 900 mm (3 ft) measured horizontally to the 2.5 m (8 ft)

elevation from windows, doors, porches, fire escapes, or similar locations.

(d) A luminaire supported by a single conduit does not exceed 300 mm (12 in.) in any direction from the point of

conduit entry.

(e) The weight supported by any single conduit does

not exceed 9 kg (20 lb).

(f) At the luminaire or lampholder end, the conduit(s) is threaded wrenchtight into the box, conduit body, or integral

wiring enclosure, or into hubs identified for the purpose. Where a box or conduit body is used for support, the luminaire shall be secured directly to the box or conduit body, or through a threaded conduit nipple not over 75 mm (3 in.) long.