Plastic Electrical Boxes Vs Metal

Plastic electrical box vs metal electrical box.

Plastic electrical boxes vs metal.

Spruce tue may 02 2017 7 27 pm shannon wrote. Use a plastic box when you have romex or nm wiring leading in or out of the box. Electrician 3 points 3 years ago. For exposed or shop wiring metal boxes are probably better.

Many local building codes require metal junction boxes because they are durable and ensure long lasting performance. This thread is archived. Plastic both have their advantages and disadvantages. In a few cases though the choice is clear cut and obvious mainly with respect to grounding.

Metal receptacle covers must be grounded even on plastic boxes. Metal boxes more expensive more variety of sizes and styles do not burn do not break or crack are gangable can be used with conduit and armored mc cable. This may be achieved by use of a switch with ground connection. Metal electrical boxes are primarily used with metal sheathed or bx wiring.

Where do you guys stand on plastic vs metal electrical boxes for residential use. Today we will share significance of plastic electrical box vs metal electrical box. How about a list. Both plastic and metal boxes come in a full range of types and sizes for both indoor and outdoor applications.

Metal boxes are usually made of aluminum steel or cast iron. Cut about a 4 6 length of channel attatch to wall and clamp the conduit to it. In areas where metal conduit is not used which is most of the country grounding is provided by a grounding wire and the box metal or plastic serves no purpose in the grounding system. You ll have to make sure to buy boxes that match the offset of the channel.

In many cases your choice of a metal or plastic electrical box is one of personal preference economy and ease. So although metal boxes may be more rugged and more resistant to damage they have the potential to make the installation electrically more dangerous. When plastic doesn t make sense the standard alternative is a metal box. Mcmaster 3310t46 9 for 5.

The boxes made without metal are pvc or plastic. On the other hand plastic boxes are more vulnerable to impacts. With plastic boxes that extra thickness under the drywall can leave a bulge. Plastic vs metal electrical boxes post by a.

Most do it yourselfers prefer plastic electrical boxes while electricians use both metal and plastic boxes. Back to the original question. Metal sheathed wiring depends on bonding with the metal electrical box for grounding. I prefer metal but i do use plastic where appropriate.

Conduit clamps are less then 1 each.