Making up a box means cutting conductors to length, splicing the grounds and any neutrals or feed-throughs, adding pigtails for the device and folding everything neatly back into the box. It is usually done at the end of rough-in so the box is ready for trim, and a well made-up box is a point of pride. Inspectors check make-up for proper connectors, ground continuity and enough free conductor: at least 6 inches, reaching 3 inches past the box opening.
Make up all the boxes on two before lunch, grounds twisted and nutted, neutrals pigtailed, tails folded in.
Also heard as
- makeup
Related terms
Pigtail
Short length of wire spliced to several conductors so only one lead goes to a device terminal.
Wire nut
Twist-on connector with a tapered spring inside, used to splice two or more wires together in a box.
Rough-in
Stage of electrical work done before walls close: setting boxes, running cable or conduit and pulling wire.
Wago
Brand name used for push-in and lever-style splice connectors that clamp wires without twisting.