How much wire is required at an Outlet Box #Shorts

How much wire is required at an outlet box? Today I'll show you in this short video what the NEC requires for wire at an outlet box. How much from inside the box, how much outside the box and how much wire sheath must extend inside the box.

Please note that an outlet as defined by NEC is a point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment. So not only at a receptacle which is commonly know as an "outlet".

[matthamilton]

An old electrician once told me that there's a special circle of hell for short wire electricians.

[Hardworkpays]

Pig tail and it helps if an outlet goes bad your whole run after that outlet won’t go dead too.

[pileggitech]

I absolutely loathe when I go to swap put old devices and the wires are too short in the box. Like seriously, who does that? I know they struggled to work on it.

[howardmcnasty]

She told me 3"+ is good enough for her box!

[twistedhillbilly]

This guy is one of very few that actually give good info.. We always use 7" from the back of the box as a standard.. ..

[lynx]

As a 19 year old dude about to have to deal with these types of situations for the first time I thank you

[johnschmitt]

Thank you for a simple answer to a simple question I had. Clear and to the point

[darreneffle]

i gotta say you have some good tips for the average homeowner

[wwflguy]

Great information to know. For myself I will never use 14 ga to an outlet I don't run less than 12 ga for outlets. 14 is strictly for lighting circuit for me unless those lights need more power which is highly unlikely with all the new low power led stuff

[timmytortellini]

Very useful for many people and a nice voice to listen to. Keep on doing this!

[chichard]

The NEC is indicating minimums! Unless you have baby hands then 3” outside the box won’t be enough!

[danielthechskid]

I'll add my vote for this being the reason that the style of wire stripping pliers shown are 3" for the metal portion and 4" for the rubberized handle, at least for Klein ones. The pliers themselves are your go/no-go gauge.

[abovegroundgarage]

Finally a short giving people actual useful information on how to do things the right way.

[woodlandxwarrior]

I measure with my linesman. If it's enough from edge to edge that's enough wire for me. I used to always get shit for it but then again I don't see anyone taping receptacles or bending connection points on themselves.

[waynemgtregear]

That's standard in Australia @150mm length. Wire gauge for standard GPO is 2.5 mm squared

[justintothetruth]

I do not know how trustworthy this guy is he said his video about the pigtails would start next but the video just started over.

😁

[USGovsOwnersRtheRealEnemy]

Carpenters, Mechanical Tech, Plumbers, and the satellite cable guy have all taught me to leave a small loop above every box possible.

[paulgeorge]

Remember that's minimum not ideal. 6" from the wall is ideal. You must leave some to cut off in the future for replacement or repair.

[willmag]

I used to measure with my strippers but really now I just leave as much wire as I can while maintaining a comfortable amount of room for everything in the box. folding multiple times up and down as to leave enough wire for multiple device changes in the future. Especially rentals that get flipped often. Prebending helps with bigger devices.

[ljones]

Thank you for showing this mock up. I’m faced with a box which is too deep in the wall and I couldn’t figure out how they secured it. Your box showed me the full picture of the huge nail going across the top of the box into the stud. Looks like an extender might help. 🤞🏼