How much wire to leave in the socket?
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In this article, I will tell you how many wires to leave in the outlet.
Too many wires in the outlet can cause the wires to overheat, which could result in a fire. Short wires can break these wires. Is there a golden mean for all this? Yes, you can avoid the above situations by acting in accordance with the NEC code. If you are not familiar with it, I will teach you more below.
In general, you should leave at least 6 inches of wire in the junction box. When the wire is on the horizontal line, it should protrude 3 inches out of the hole and the other 3 inches should be inside the box.
I'll go into more detail below.
The ideal length of wire to leave in the socket
The correct length of the electrical wire is critical to the safety of the wires.
For example, shorter wires can break due to stretching. If the outlet is located in an area with negative temperatures, shorter wires may be a problem for you. So, consider all this before wiring the electrical outlet.
NEC code for wire slack in the box
According to the NEC, you must leave at least 6 inches of wire.
This value depends on one factor; outlet box depth. Most outlets are 3 to 3.5 inches deep. So leaving at least 6 inches is the best option. This will give you 3 inches from opening the box. The remaining 3 inches will be inside the box, assuming you leave a total of 6 inches.
However, leaving 6-8 inches of wire length is the most flexible option if you are using a deeper outlet. Leave 8" for a 4" deep exit box.
Remember about: When using metal sockets, be sure to ground the socket. To do this, use insulated green wire or bare copper wire.
How much extra wire can I leave in my electrical panel?
Leaving the extra wire in the electrical panel for the future is not a bad idea. But how much?
Leave enough extra wire and place it on the edge of the panel.
Leaving too many wires inside the panel can cause overheating. This overheating problem is only associated with permanently current-carrying wires. There are many harmless cables inside the main electrical panel, such as ground wires. Thus, you are allowed to leave a significant amount of ground wires, but never leave too many. This will ruin your electrical panel.
There are codes for these questions. You can find them in the following NEC codes.
- 15(B)(3)(a)
- 16
- 20 (A)
Remember about: You can always splice wires when more length is required.
Electrical Safety Tips
We cannot ignore the safety issues of electrical boxes and wires. So, here are some must-have safety tips.
Too short wires
Short wires can break or cause a poor electrical connection. Therefore, follow the appropriate length.
Keep the wires inside the box
All wire connections must be inside the electrical box. Bare wires can give someone an electric shock.
Ground electrical boxes
When using metal electrical boxes, ground them properly with bare copper wire. Accidentally exposed wires can transmit electricity to a metal box.
Too many wires
Never place too many wires in a junction box. Wires can heat up quite quickly. Thus, overheating can lead to electrical fire.
Use wire nuts
Use wire nuts for all electrical wire connections inside the electrical box. This step is an excellent precaution. In addition, it will protect the wire strands to a large extent.
Remember about: When working with electricity, take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your family. (1)
Take a look at some of our articles below.
- Where to find thick copper wire for scrap
- Why is the ground wire hot on my electric fence
- How to conduct overhead wiring in the garage
Recommendations
(1) electricity - https://ei.lehigh.edu/learners/energy/readings/electricity.pdf
(2) protect you and your family - https://blogs.cdc.gov/publichealthmatters/
2014/09/3-easy-steps-to-protect-your-family/
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