314.29 Boxes, Conduit Bodies, and Handhole Enclosures to Be Accessible.

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Covering an underground box is permitted if the box location is effectively described and accessible for excavation. A description of the underground box location must be made available to those authorized to access, maintain, or inspect the wiring.

Code Change Summary: New requirements added regarding the location of underground boxes.

Section 314.29(B) requires underground boxes and handhole enclosures to be installed so they are accessible without excavating sidewalks, paving, earth, or other substance that is to be used to establish the finished grade. This is to ensure that a box is never concealed to the point where no one knows it’s there. Troubleshooting a circuit can be difficult if there are underground concealed boxes containing splices.

In the 2023 NEC^®, the exception to Section 314.29(B) was expanded to ensure that underground boxes covered by gravel, light aggregate, or soil can more easily be located. Covering an underground box is permitted if the box location is effectively described and accessible for excavation, but in the 2023 NEC^®, a description of the underground box location must be made available to those authorized to access, maintain, or inspect the wiring.

Below is a preview of the NEC^®. See the actual NEC^® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2023 NEC^® edition of NFPA 70.

2020 Code Language:

314.29(B) Underground. Underground boxes and handhole enclosures shall be installed so they are accessible without excavating sidewalks, paving, earth, or other substance that is to be used to establish the finished grade.

Exception: Listed boxes and handhole enclosures shall be permitted where covered by gravel, light aggregate, or noncohesive granulated soil if their location is effectively identified and accessible for excavation.

2023 Code Language:

Exception: Listed boxes and handhole enclosures shall be permitted where covered by gravel, light aggregate, or noncohesive granulated soil if their location is effectively described and accessible for excavation. The location description shall be available to those authorized to access, maintain, or inspect the wiring.

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314.29 Boxes, Conduit Bodies, and Handhole Enclosures to Be Accessible.

Below is a Real Question from our Electrical Continuing Education Courses for Electrical License Renewal:

Based on the 2023 NEC, which of the following is true of an underground box covered by gravel?

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	A:	Underground boxes are NOT permitted to be covered by gravel.
	B:	A description of the underground box location must be made available to those authorized to access, maintain, or inspect the wiring.
	C:	Underground boxes shall have the cover visible while standing at grade level.
	D:	The cover of an underground box is NOT permitted to be concealed by gravel.

314.29 Boxes, Conduit Bodies, and Handhole Enclosures to Be Accessible.

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314.29 Boxes, Conduit Bodies, and Handhole Enclosures to Be Accessible.