FAQ

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

NEC

Text