Mounting junction boxes in attic, are both of these locations acceptable?

diymonkey

I need to mount some junction boxes in my attic for some new wiring. Most junction boxes that I have seen are mounted on the wide face of a joist (location #2 on the image below) but is it acceptable to mount the junction box on "top" of the joist (location #1 on image below) ?

NOTE: This is not a picture of my attic, just a picture i found on google to doodle on.

Bob Mariani

Yes they are. JB's need to be accessible. This means that you can access them without removing any of the building's structure.

Rivethead

Bob is correct - they are both acceptable. But, I'd side mount to keep the wires and box below the top of the joists as the wiring is currently run. Note the plates being used to protect the current wiring where it passes theough a joist.

DangerMouse

but... wouldn't mounting on top make yer wiring job much easier?

DM

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Bob Mariani

You mean keep the wires on top? This only makes house fires easier. Easy is not the determining factor in working with electric... safety is!

DangerMouse

A: as to jb's, it's ok either way...
B: i'd certainly NOT be worried about fires if the box is on top and wired correctly.
C: the question is about BOXES, not WIRES!
D: if it were me, i'd put the boxes on top simply for the fact if i needed to do anything, the box would not be below the insulation.
no-one said anything about running the wires along the tops of the joists....

DM

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dSilanskas

Come on ladies can't we all just get along

Bob Mariani

yeah take it easy here. We are not attacking anyone, just making it as clear as possible. When mounting on top, it is easy to secure wires not on top of the joists. If you do have wires on top nail a 2 X4 cleat next to them, so they are protected.

Silk

Not a code requirement most of the time. It depends on the distance from the scuttle hole and if you have a permanent ladder or stairs to access the attic. If not it is a waste of time and money.

Thurman

Maybe it's a local code thing, but around here I've never seen the junction boxes in an attic mounted on the side(s) of a ceiling joist. The are always mounted on the top of the joist with the wiring run on the side, some type of securing device (usually a wire staple) securing the wires within twelve inches (12") of the box and per code here-a cover always on the box. That's why it's important to follow NEC and check local codes. Thanks, David

rgsgww

No way I can do that in mine, like 1.5-2 ft of insulation. Boxes are on top, wires stapled within 12 in of box. Currently I'm fixing some bad wiring, and the bx is shorted somewhere (I did not turn the breaker off, but used a load based continuity checker).

Bob Mariani

I did not say it was code. But a good practice and was mentioned as a protection of wires that another posted mentioned.

gma2rjc

They prefer you keep the boxes on top. This makes it impossible for the home owner to cover and hide the JB with boards.

diymonkey

thanks everyone for the comments/suggestions. I would rather mount the box on top and then run the wires along the joist (wide side).

I should have pointed this out in my first post, but this is not a picture of my attic. I just grabbed a picture off google so I can doodle on quickly. Regarding the wires in the picture, I thought they were suppose to be run along a 2x4 between the joist (perpendicular). So this is acceptable to have them as shown in the picture?

Bob Mariani

The ones shown are drilled though the studs and then covered with a nail plate. This is a correct installation.