Outlet Boxes: clamps & gromets required?

[DerbyDad03]

53

Ah, but just think of the feeling you get when you encounter an employee that actually knows what (s)he's talking about.

We've got 1.5 guys in our HD's plumbing department that know what they're talking about. (one knows *everything*, the other is pretty good). The first time I was looking into SharkBites, I luckily found a guy who knew them inside and out, including sources for connectors that HD didn't carry. I probably would have spent a lot more money and effort if it hadn't been him in the aisle that day.

They've also got one guy in flooring that not only could answer my questions, but came up with some creative solutions to deal with the foyer floor after I installed a new entry door.

Electrical...well that's a different story. Other than getting them to cut wire for me, I don't bother asking for help or suggestions.

[Jay-T]

That's the part I don't get. I wonder why they don't seem to make plastic single gang boxes with knockouts instead of those annoying plastic bendable flaps/tabs. Then either make Arlington buttons that work with them or be able to use the metal connectors that are used with metal boxes.

[Jon Danniken]

I found those boxes in the link at my locally owned Ace this morningm but only in single gang. As I am putting in a 50A outlet, I need a double gang box, and they don't have any double gang metal boxes with the screw wings for old work (and I'll be damned before I put a 50A outlet in a flimsy blue plastc box).

So, I picked up a metal new work box, and it looks like I'll get to open up an access panel on the other side of the wall. Poop.

Jon

[N8N]

you can't take two of the single gang ones and gang them together? Typically those boxes *are* only sold in single gang, but you can take 'em apart and put 'em back together for 2- or 3-gang applications.

nate

[krw]

On the way home from work I checked at the BORG. They carry two types of steel old-wiring boxes here.

[Nate Nagel]

*shrug* so your borgs don't suck as bad as mine. Everything's cheaper at the supply house anyway so for things electrical I don't bother with the Borg, unless it's Sunday.

nate

[krw]

I wouldn't even know where the supply houses are here and I doubt they're open anytime outside of my normal work hours. The BORG and Lowes are only about three miles from my house. For a couple of old-wiring boxes, cost isn't a priority.

[bud--]

I don't think an old work box is a particularly good idea for a 50A receptacle. IMHO the box should be attached to something substantial, not the wall.

[N8N]

te:

Not a big deal for me, supply house is more convenient than all but one HD, lower prices, competent staff, what's not to like?

nate

[krw]

I've used supply houses for large jobs (different state). They were fine, though the droids at the desk didn't really seem to want my business. I have found the staff at HD and Lowes to be quite variable. Mostly indifferent but some stores have quite competent staff. In VT, many in the electrical department were electricians, some retired (Ohio HD employees were beyond useless). Here, it's a mix; most at least want to help.

[N8N]

possibly true, but I was just trying to address his post which was that he couldn't find two-gang old work boxes - I don't think that he will, but that's not really a problem.

I guess it all depends on how often the appliance connected to it is plugged in and unplugged. I probably would replace it with a new work box at the next repaint, myself. Or if it were an area that had extra paint, just go ahead and do it now.

nate

[clare]

I've found here the ones who WANT to help are totally incapable and those who might be capable don't give a rat's ass, - and then there are those who"know it all" but are wrong, wrong, wrong. Like the one former phone company employee and licenced electrician who INSISTED I needed 4 pair (cat 5) wire to wire an extention to a Nortel Norstar digital phone system, when all the other 23 were wired with single twisted pair wiring and were working perfectly that way for over 8 years - - - - - .

[clare]

I generally use an old-work box and install it right at a stud so I can screw it to the stud on one side, and let the "ears" hold it top and bottom. for that kind of application.