314.5 Fasteners in boxes
What changed in 314.5
A new rule controls screws and fasteners entering boxes and conduit bodies: blunt ends, set depth limits, and flush ends in small boxes and conduit bodies.
Point by point
- Fasteners entering a box or conduit body must be the maker's own or specified ones, or blunt machine screws and other blunt fasteners.
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Get the whole breakdown
- 4 more points on exactly what changed
- The 2020 rule next to the 2023 rule, side by side
- Why it changed
- What to do and check on the job
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This section across NEC® editions
2020 NEC®No change
This section did not change from 2017 to 2020.
2023 NEC®NewYou're here
A new rule controls screws and fasteners entering boxes and conduit bodies: blunt ends, set depth limits, and flush ends in small boxes and conduit bodies.
2026 NEC®No change
This section did not change from 2023 to 2026.
More 2023 changes in Article 314
This is a plain-English summary, not the NEC®'s exact wording. Always check the full section in the NEC® edition your area has adopted, plus any local amendments.
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