What is the maximum number of 12 AWG conductors permissible in a 4" x 1-1/2" square box?

To determine the maximum number of 12 AWG conductors permissible in a 4" x 1-1/2" square box, it's important to refer to the National Electrical Code (NEC) guidelines on box fill calculations.

Each conductor requires a certain amount of cubic inch space within conduits or boxes. For 12 AWG conductors, each one typically requires 2 cubic inches of space.

First, we need to calculate the volume of a 4" x 1-1/2" square box. The volume can be calculated using the formula for the volume of a rectangular prism:

Volume = Length × Width × Height.

For a box that is 4 inches wide, 4 inches deep, and approximately 2.5 inches tall, the height can be estimated based on standard box height.

In general, a 4" x 1-1/2" box typically has a volume of around 12 cubic inches.

Now, we must divide the total volume of the box by the space taken up by each 12 AWG conductor.

If each conductor requires 2 cubic inches:

12 cubic inches ÷ 2 cubic inches per conductor = 6 conductors.

However, the