Electrical back box orientation

[Grumps]

Maybe a stupid question. But is there a correct orientation? Fixed lug on left/right? Earthing post at top/bottom?

[Harry Bloomfield Esq]

Nope, which ever way suits you.

[Theo]

With plastic ones, I tend to ensure the writing is the right way up, but sometimes they have different cable punch outs at top and bottom so it doesn't hurt to invert if there's a good reason.

Theo

[John Rumm]

Whatever works for the installation...

[Tricky Dicky]

When doing the kitchen I needed to space the back boxes so that the front plates could be adjacent to each other. I used these spacers which attach in the punched hole left by the fixed lug so each pair of boxes ended orientated differently.

Richard

[Tricky Dicky]

Oooops! Forgot the link again

Richard

[Grumps]

Thanks. Looks neat.

[John J]

Blank side facing away from you?

[alan_m]

If you are going to attach an earth wire to a metal box earth terminal then having the back-box terminal at the bottom can make it much easier if the back box is mounted low on a wall. With it at the bottom you will have visibility to connect a wire whilst knelling down. With the terminal at the top you may/will have to get your head to the same level as the box in order to see the terminal and to see to insert the wire.

[Andrew]

Also these, but a tad expensive

[ARW]

vbg

Could be worse pal.

I went to second fix a house and someone had fitted the 2g back box for a shaver point in the en suite in the wrong orientation by 90 deg.

The en-suite was fully tiled when I got there.

Adam

[SH]

well if you will mount it in the wrong orientation at the 1st fix or was that one of your apprentices?.....

vbg

[SteveW]

I assume that you procured a suitably oriented shaver socket?

[Tricky Dicky]

That might not be as daft as it seems. Proofvision make in wall chargers for Oral B and Braun electric toothbrushes that fit standard 47mm 2g back boxes. The double chargers require the back box to be installed horizontally.

Some versions include a shaver socket as part of the device.

Richard

[Mike Clarke]

But the one with the shaver socket needs a vertical backbox.