Is this legal? This Old Hack - Page 2 - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

Peter D · 11-19-2009, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdnelectrician

You like your plastic boxes over in the US eh? We don't use them much here hehe

Yes, we certainly do. We install them by the millions. Fast, cheap and they save lots of time. Once upon a time metal was the standard even in residential but those days are long gone.

480sparky · 11-19-2009, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRick

No that is not a code compliant installation;

NEC 2008 -

110.3 Examination, Identification, Installation, and Use of Equipment.
(B) Installation and Use. Listed or labeled equipment shall be installed and used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling.

314.43 Nonmetallic Boxes.
Provisions for supports or other mounting means for nonmetallic boxes shall be outside of the box, or the box shall be constructed so as to prevent contact between the conductors in the box and the supporting screws.

I have never done it myself, but have seen it done dozens of time. That it has been done over and over does not however make it right!

So you put some tape over the screws and you're legal.

NolaTigaBait · 11-19-2009, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 480sparky

So you put some tape over the screws and you're legal.

I countersink mine, when I violate the code.

Grimlock · 11-19-2009, 03:15 PM

I install my with PVC Glue, although sometimes there is enough tree sap on the studs to give a nice strong hold without requiring additional PVC cement...

Joking aside I have never met a service technician that has never installed a box using screws on the inside when they had to. What if you run the ground wire around the head of those screws, then it would be no different than the fasteners on a metal box; Grounded. I think a code revision is in order... Allow metal screws inside plastic boxes but ground them!

Problem solved...

NolaTigaBait · 11-19-2009, 06:14 PM

I think it has more to do with possible damage to the conductors than anything else.

MF Dagger · 11-19-2009, 06:18 PM

I have done that quite a few times. Now I'm pretty well stocked on smart boxes and rarely have to. When I do it's usually that a box was knocked a little loose by the rockers or some other odd situation.

NolaTigaBait · 11-19-2009, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MF Dagger

I have done that quite a few times. Now I'm pretty well stocked on smart boxes and rarely have to. When I do it's usually that a box was knocked a little loose by the rockers or some other odd situation.

I really need to get some of those smart boxes.

MF Dagger · 11-19-2009, 06:28 PM

They are awesome. The knockouts kind of suck in them and it can be a PITA if someone folded wires into one that wasn't neat about it. I use more Smart boxes now than bracket remodels. The fan smart boxes are the cats ass too.

robnj772 · 11-19-2009, 08:48 PM

Smart boxes are the cat's ass I must agree. They are a little deeper then the slater boxes. You can put an extra conductor in them. Saved my butt on a renovation the other day by using a 3 gang smart box instead of a 3 gang nail on.

gilbequick · 11-19-2009, 08:53 PM

I'd rather screw into the stud than use the wings on an old work box. It holds a lot better and is more secure. If possible I'll use the wings and screw it to the stud. Done it hundreds of times.

If you think a bare part of an ungrounded or grounded conductor is going to touch the screw, wrap the device with a couple runs of tape.

WIREDOG · 11-20-2009, 10:12 PM

that guy is a freaking hack. the worst thing is that he showed millions of people how to eliminate our jobs. CLOWN SHOES!

John Valdes · 11-21-2009, 12:15 PM

Is this the "smart box" you are discussing?

egads · 11-21-2009, 02:19 PM

Yes, comes in many versions:

http://www.smarthomeusa.com/ShopByMa...Box/Item/SB1G/

Rudeboy · 11-21-2009, 02:38 PM

fan rated smart boxes? haven't seen those.

AaronJohnTurner · 11-23-2009, 05:39 PM

Not the biggest fan of plastic boxes. If anything they're more expensive. When I DO like plastic boxes is for outside walls, that way you don't have to mess with getting a metal box and nails inside of a vapour barrier.

robnj772 · 11-23-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AaronJohnTurner

Not the biggest fan of plastic boxes. If anything they're more expensive. When I DO like plastic boxes is for outside walls, that way you don't have to mess with getting a metal box and nails inside of a vapour barrier.

The vapor barrier would be the tar paper or tyvek wrap .

So your boxes on the outside walls aren't in the vapor barrier

Otherwise the sheetrock and insulation would be wet.

I pay like 55 cents for a plastic nail on,Thats cheaper then metal

The labor factor is less for plastic boxes also.