Boxes That Enclose Utilization Equipment

Size Requirements

• Any box that contains utilization equipment must have enough space for the equipment and the attached conductors, as well as any other extension boxes or attached equipment. Depending on the conductors in use, additional space ranging from 15/16 to 2-1/16 inches is required behind the equipment.

Flush-Mounted Devices

• If the box is enclosing utilization equipment and is flush-mounted, the electrical device must have full enclosure in the rear and on all sides, and the box should hold the device in fact, without any external hardware, such as screws or bolts.

Luminaire Outlets

• The utilization equipment associated with lampholder or luminaire outlets should contain enough bracing to support those light fixtures, and installation of those fixtures should include enough hardware to attach those fixtures to the box without any other support.

Ceiling Fan Outlets

• For some ceiling fan assemblies, the box is the only support the fan has from the ceiling. These fans should not weigh over 70 pounds, and any fan requiring more than 35 pounds of support from the box should have the required weight marked on the packaging.