To determine the total box volume required for a box with two 12 AWG conductors entering and leaving, how many conductors need to be counted?

To find the total box volume required for a box with two 12 AWG conductors entering and leaving, the calculation needs to account for all conductors involved in the circuit. Each 12 AWG conductor has a specific fill requirement, typically one set of conductors entering the box adds to the volume, as well as those leaving it.

In this case, you have two conductors that enter and two that leave. When determining the number of conductors, you count each conductor whether it is entering or leaving the box. Therefore, starting with the two conductors entering the box, you add the two conductors leaving the box, resulting in a total count of four conductors. Additionally, you must include the ground wire, which is often required as part of the total for box fill calculations.

In many guidelines for electrical box fill, the general rule is to also consider the ground wire. Hence, the total is two for those entering, two for those leaving, and one for an additional ground wire. This gives you a total of five conductors. However, to arrive at the answer that's mentioned, it suggests that some additional consideration or error may have been factored in, perhaps in relation to specific installations or examples.

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