Plastic electrical boxes.

better too deep than too shallow. The ears on the outlets will lay on the sheetrock and set the proper depth.

nothing personal to the original poster, but why would anyone use plastic boxes????? I know the obvious answer is cost, but seriously.......a few pennies for the quality and strength of steel?????

ease of use, don't have to fuptz around grounding them, cheaper, uh, uh , uh. I don't see a down side myself.

Well, I understand your point, but I find that it is impossible to tighten the outlets in there without crushing the drywall or bending the ears. Your should I leave them a little loose and let the faceplate tighten everything?

Many thanks in advance,

Aaron

I like the plastic old work boxes with the flags, they seem to work better than steel boxes with madison hangers. I've seen metal old work boxes (in use by contractors) but can't find 'em in my local big boxes.

nate

1. Cost -- difference is about a dollar and a half per box, not "a few pennies".
2. Ease of installation: a) boxes don't have to be grounded b) cables don't have to be clamped to box, as long as they're secured to framing within (IIRC) 6" of the box c) because cables don't have to be clamped to box, there's no deduction from the rated cubic capacity of the box for cable clamps d) light weight means it's easier to lug a full carton of boxes

Here in Canada, plastic boxes still have a grounding strap that you have to attach the ground wire to. No savings in time nor trouble. I find that the screws for switches and receptacles strip out of the plastic quite easily if the screw is removed for work a couple of times.

Personally I love plastic boxes. I only use them for single gang purposes and only 22 cu. inch, I prefer steel for multiple gang for the rigidity, but most of all because the largest single gang plastic boxes have lots of room in them

Plastic boxes are very useful in any environment were corrosion will be a problem. They are the box of choice in buildings that house large animals. I prefer them when wiring the outside walls of a basement. They have there uses much like any other material. The only time I get vexed by there use is when they are mixed in with metal raceway or metal covered cable because the bonding is seldom done correctly.

-- Tom Horne

Plastic boxes are very useful in any environment were corrosion will be a problem. They are the box of choice in buildings that house large animals. I prefer them when wiring the outside walls of a basement. They have there uses much like any other material. The only time I get vexed by there use is when they are mixed in with metal raceway or metal covered cable because the bonding is seldom done correctly.

-- Tom Horne

Not that I plan to do this, but how *would* one properly bond BX or pipe to a plastic box? you got me curious...

nate

Tom Horne wrote:

Unfortunately the plastic boxes are bigger than the metal and as a result there is not a lot of drywall for the ears to rest on. A common electrician's trick is to wrap a piece of wire around the screw behind the ears to make up the gap difference. Sometimes I use 6/32 nuts for the boxes that are set back a lot more.

you must be using some substandard brand plastic boxes. i've never stripped one out and i always use the dewalt drill to drive the screws in and out. Also, why do you ground plastic?

just dont' go so tight. HELL they're not going anywhere...

Well, I understand your point, but I find that it is impossible to tighten the outlets in there without crushing the drywall or bending the ears. Your should I leave them a little loose and let the faceplate tighten everything?

Many thanks in advance,

Aaron

don't need to.

You wouldn't (shouldn't) do it with the standard .35 cent box. You'd need special non metallic boxes made for the purpose

OH.

The 3/8" marks are intended for 3/8" wall coverings. Ideally, the boxes should be flush with the wall. If yours is 1/8" short, that's okay. I made a plywood jig that locates the box at the proper depth and height. The jig rests on the floor and against a stud--removes guesswork and no measuring.