Showerthought: I used to run new circuits by guessing box fill, but after a trim-out inspection hit me with a $200 fine last summer I finally broke down and bought a proper fill calculator app.

Now I just punch in the wire sizes and device counts in under a minute instead of second-guessing myself for 20 minutes at the panel - has anyone else found a different method that clicks better for them?

2 comments

2 Comments

vera_sanchez10d ago

Bought one of those calculators last year and honestly it saves me so much headache, even if I felt a little silly paying for an app at first. Now I just wish they'd make one for figuring out conduit bends without having to whip out the manual every time. Idk, maybe I'm overthinking it but anything that cuts down on the guesswork is a win in my book.

wren_jackson10d ago

Man, I feel you on that. I was doing the same thing for years, just eyeballing it and crossing my fingers. Finally got slapped with a rework on a job cause I crammed too many wires into a 4x4 box and the inspector made me rip it all out. That calculator app is a lifesaver, no joke. I still catch myself second-guessing on tricky ones with a bunch of dimmer switches and pigtails, but punching it in the app settles it real quick. It's crazy how such a small thing can save you a headache and a fine.