Plastic Electrical Boxes Vs Metal

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Plastic electrical boxes vs metal.

Many local building codes require metal junction boxes because they are durable and ensure long lasting performance. Metal sheathed wiring depends on bonding with the metal electrical box for grounding. Metal boxes are usually made of aluminum steel or cast iron. Both plastic and metal boxes come in a full range of types and sizes for both indoor and outdoor applications.

How about a list. Today we will share significance of plastic electrical box vs metal electrical box. Metal electrical boxes are primarily used with metal sheathed or bx wiring. I prefer metal but i do use plastic where appropriate.

The boxes made without metal are pvc or plastic. 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. In many cases your choice of a metal or plastic electrical box is one of personal preference economy and ease. Use a plastic box when you have romex or nm wiring leading in or out of the box.

On the other hand plastic boxes are more vulnerable to impacts. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Most do it yourselfers prefer plastic electrical boxes while electricians use both metal and plastic boxes. With plastic boxes that extra thickness under the drywall can leave a bulge.

Cut about a 4 6 length of channel attatch to wall and clamp the conduit to it. Spruce tue may 02 2017 7 27 pm shannon wrote. Metal receptacle covers must be grounded even on plastic boxes. Plastic vs metal electrical boxes post by a.

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. This thread is archived. For exposed or shop wiring metal boxes are probably better.

So although metal boxes may be more rugged and more resistant to damage they have the potential to make the installation electrically more dangerous. Plastic electrical box vs metal electrical box. When plastic doesn t make sense the standard alternative is a metal box. Electrician 3 points 3 years ago.

Back to the original question. Conduit clamps are less then 1 each. Electrical boxes are constructed of metallic or nonmetallic material. You ll have to make sure to buy boxes that match the offset of the channel.

In a few cases though the choice is clear cut and obvious mainly with respect to grounding.