FAQ

59
Revision
300.14 Clarification of 6” Out of Box
Conductors Rule… Spliced or Unspliced?
Change Summary
• A new sentence was added to clarify that the
mandatory 6 inches of conductors out of the box can
be spliced or unspliced.
Article 300 General Requirements for Wiring Methods
and Materials
300.14 Length of Free Conductors at Outlets, Junctions,
and Switch Points. At least 150 mm (6 in.) of free
conductor, measured from the point in the box where it
emerges from its raceway or cable sheath, shall be left at
each outlet, junction, and switch point for splices or the
connection of luminaires or devices. The 150 mm (6 in.)
free conductor shall be permitted to be spliced or unspliced.
Where the opening to an outlet, junction, or switch point is
less than 200 mm (8 in.) in any dimension, each conductor
shall be long enough to extend at least 75 mm (3 in.) outside
the opening.
Exception: Conductors that are not spliced or terminated at the outlet,
junction, or switch point shall not be required to comply with 300.14.
Expert Analysis
A new sentence has been added to clarify that the free
conductor is permitted to be a splice. The addition of this
text makes that clear and free of interpretation.
Material taken from the National Electric Code
®
is reprinted with permission
from NFPA 70
®
, 2023 edition. National Electrical Code
®
, Copyright 2022,
National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA. All rights reserved.
NEC
®
Text