What is a "junction box" used for in distribution systems?

A junction box is fundamentally designed to house and protect electrical connections and splices. This is critical in ensuring that the connections are safeguarded from environmental factors, accidental contact, and mechanical damage, which could lead to short circuits or electrical failures. By encapsulating these connections, the junction box also serves as a means of organizing wiring systems, providing clarity and ease of maintenance.

While junction boxes can certainly be involved in connecting multiple circuits and devices, their primary function is to protect and contain the connections, which is why the focus is on that aspect. Junction boxes do not serve the purposes of measuring electrical voltage and current, as devices designed specifically for measurement—like multimeters—are used instead. Furthermore, providing ventilation for electrical equipment is an unrelated function typically associated with equipment enclosures rather than junction boxes.