DIY

Splices outside a box are prohibited because an enclosure contains the heat and sparks of a failing joint and keeps it findable, and tape does neither.

Wet and damp location ratings are defined terms with specific meanings, and a fixture rated for damp use is not automatically acceptable in the rain.

UF cable direct burial construction encases each conductor in solid moulded insulation, which is why it handles wet locations and why it strips differently.

Direct burial depth requirements vary by wiring method and by what covers the trench, so a single remembered number does not describe any real installation.

PVC conduit expansion fittings absorb the length change that temperature swings produce, preventing buckled runs and joints pulled apart at fixed equipment.

EMT versus PVC conduit is a choice driven by exposure, impact resistance and whether the raceway can serve as an equipment grounding path.

Conduit fill limits exist so conductors can be pulled without damaging insulation and can shed heat, which is why a raceway is never filled to capacity.

A ceiling fan rated box is listed for the dynamic loads a fan produces, which is why a box that supported a light fixture for years is still not acceptable.

Junction box accessibility is required so splices can be inspected and repaired, which is why covering a box with drywall is a defect even when nothing is wrong.

Aluminum branch-circuit wiring fails at terminations rather than along its length, so accepted remediation targets the connections instead of replacing cable.