National Electrical Code Question

[brad225]

I have owned a construction company most of my life. Retired and out of it now.

My brother in law is building a home here in Florida using a contractor that he was warned not to use. Consequently there are quite a number of issues but we will get them sorted out.

One issue I have a question for the electricians.

I know you can't have a junction box that is not directly accessible aka buried.

I have had discussions with the contractor about a counter top outlet that was installed in the wrong place and now will be inside a cabinet that a double oven will be installed. They have just turned it into a junction by using wire nuts to connect the wires coming in and exiting the box and installing a blank cover plate on it.

I contend that having to uninstall a double oven to access a junction is effectively burying the box.

Does code consider a junction in a cabinet behind ovens to be buried?

Any advice would appreciated.

The head electrical inspector is often not correct in his application of the code in the times I have crossed paths with him. I would like to know how NFPA would look at this type of installation.

Thanks Brad

 

[mep]

Too bad your brother-in-law didn’t listen to the people who warned him about the contractor he hired.

 

[brad225]

he seldom listens to me and I am there trying to work out his problems but hey that’s what family and friends are for.

 

[Dizzie]

Brad,

I live in CA and have a home less than 3 years old. The J-box for my double oven is behind the oven and cannot be accessed without removing the oven. I know because my oven had to be repaired and removed from the wall.

Neither the installation company, repair company (GE), or the electrician that came out said anything about it being a problem. It must have passed inspection. My development is still under construction and inspectors are onsite frequently.

The electrician did say he preferred the J-box be mounted in the cabinet above the oven. But that was only for convenience. And quite frankly with the problems I had I think code should require accessibility. If code does not require it I think it would be a good idea anyway. One or more wires came loose and shorted out a circuit board in the oven control panel.

 

[brad225]

I understand the oven junction box being back there. This was an outlet that should’ve been above the counter that they are just wiring together and putting a cover plate on. There is no access.