Topic 'plastic box vs. metal box (electrical)' in forum 'Home Improvement' - dslreports.com http://www.dslreports.com/forum/plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23311566 en Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:39:40 EDT Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:39:40 EDT Re: plastic box vs. metal box (electrical) http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23321173 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23321173 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:28:25 EDT Re: plastic box vs. metal box (electrical) http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23320790 said by dsless :

I started hanging boxes when I was 13 (about 1972-73) and could do it in my sleep. There were no plastic boxes back then!
That's not actually true. My parents had their house built in 1963 and the entire home, including ceiling boxes, was done in plastic. It wasn't the more flexible blue or grey plastic that is used today, it was more of a brown bakelite type plastic, but plastic none the less.

Nick

P.s. Hey, another 'Burgher!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23320790 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:23:55 EDT Re: plastic box vs. metal box (electrical) http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23319591 said by whizkid3:

said by John Galt:

I can nail up 10 plastic boxes in the time it takes you to put one metal one together.
Use the right metal box and it goes in just as fast. While you're busy attaching the ground wire to the switch or receptacle - or worse yet, wiring the grounds together with a Greenie, we've moved on to the next box.
The steel boxes we used had 2 nails into a 2X4 and move on to the next box. And one little greenie with the install. My dad was an electrical contractor. I started hanging boxes when I was 13 (about 1972-73) and could do it in my sleep. There were no plastic boxes back then!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23319591 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:51:23 EDT Re: plastic box vs. metal box (electrical) http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23317824 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23317824 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:48:40 EDT Re: plastic box vs. metal box (electrical) http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23317751 said by nunya:

Try nailing that plastic box to steel studs :) .
This is the HOME Repair and Improvement Forum.

;)

Not too many metal studs in homes...although you can get flatter walls with metal studs.
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The man who speaks to you of sacrifice is speaking of slaves and masters, and intends to be the master.
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23317751 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:34:46 EDT Re: plastic box vs. metal box (electrical) http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23317735 said by whizkid3:

...we've moved on to the next box.
You still haven't priced it..!

;)
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The man who speaks to you of sacrifice is speaking of slaves and masters, and intends to be the master.
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23317735 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:31:53 EDT Re: plastic box vs. metal box (electrical) http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23317284 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23317284 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:03:24 EDT Re: plastic box vs. metal box (electrical) http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23317259 said by John Galt:

I can nail up 10 plastic boxes in the time it takes you to put one metal one together.Use the right metal box and it goes in just as fast. While you're busy attaching the ground wire to the switch or receptacle - or worse yet, wiring the grounds together with a Greenie, we've moved on to the next box.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23317259 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:58:55 EDT Re: plastic box vs. metal box (electrical) http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23316788 said by dsless:

Steel is easy for light switches and receptacles! How about some nice Raco or Steel City stuff! :D
Yeah, but now you are looking at the cost of the bracket box, two cable connectors (or more), mudring and grounding pigtail.

Price THAT and compare it to the cost of a plastic box...

Plus the time (expensive) to dink around and assemble that. I can nail up 10 plastic boxes in the time it takes you to put one metal one together.

Just saying...

;)
--
The man who speaks to you of sacrifice is speaking of slaves and masters, and intends to be the master.
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23316788 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:38:20 EDT Re: plastic box vs. metal box (electrical) http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23315360 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23315360 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:08:27 EDT Re: plastic box vs. metal box (electrical) http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23313348 said by whizkid3:

The benefit of a metal box is that should a hot wire come into contact with the box, it will short-circuit to ground and trip the circuit breaker, de-energizing the circuit, rather than posing a risk of shock or fire.

Plastic boxes generally are for type NM wire only (Romex), meaning that in most localities they can only be used in small residential work (1 & 2 family homes).

Although more expensive, I find metal boxes easier to work with. As far as extra work grounding, etc - that is not the case if you work with type-AC or type-MC cable. Its actually less work to use all metal and self-grounding receptacles. There is virtually no grounding work at all.

That being said, I prefer metal boxes in all my own work.
Metal boxes will oxygen deprive any fire inside them (assuming you have metal faceplate), which is why all commercial and high rise buildings use metal. Metal boxes and MC/AC cable stop oxygen from getting and smoke getting out of the electrical system, especially important in office buildings with suspended ceilings that act as return air ducts. Even with plastic faceplates, fire shooting out the front of the box is better than fire shooting up behind the wall which will take more time to recognize. And the advantage of shorting to ground of metal box and AC/MC cable is a huge safety feature in my opinion. Cockroachs and termites can go inside boxes and start problems. Insects love warm wirenuts. Much better and safer than the AFCIs the industry is now pushing. Only problem with metal electrical systems is extension cords. They rarely have a metal shielded/braid/jacket that a hot wire could arc to and trip the breaker, except for the "fire guard" AFCI extension cords.

AC/MC also reduces undetected "nail through the romex" problems. Someone has their siding replaced, the romex gets turned into swiss cheese from the nails :D]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23313348 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:27:59 EDT Re: plastic box vs. metal box (electrical) http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23313309 said by evil_gusgus:

You arn't allowed to use plastic boxes in Canada for this use. The only time you use them is when their are outdoors. I would recommend that you use metal ones.
Actually, I'm pretty sure plastic boxes are fine, at least in Ontario... In fact, my Knight book specifically mentions them, as an option, rather then using a metal box and vapour barrier, in exerior walls.

That said, I just about always use metal... And to the comments about grounding above, every plastic box I've seen has come with a metal bonding strip in it, that does require grounding.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23313309 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:11:46 EDT Re: plastic box vs. metal box (electrical) http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23313105 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23313105 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:36:10 EDT Re: plastic box vs. metal box (electrical) http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23313055 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23313055 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:32:47 EDT Re: plastic box vs. metal box (electrical) http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23312787
Plastic boxes generally are for type NM wire only (Romex), meaning that in most localities they can only be used in small residential work (1 & 2 family homes).

Although more expensive, I find metal boxes easier to work with. As far as extra work grounding, etc - that is not the case if you work with type-AC or type-MC cable. Its actually less work to use all metal and self-grounding receptacles. There is virtually no grounding work at all.

That being said, I prefer metal boxes in all my own work. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23312787 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:55:47 EDT Re: plastic box vs. metal box (electrical) http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23312706
I figured I'll be using metal for high-amperage and/or exposed boxes, but for most everything, I'll stick to plastic.

Thanks to all who replied.
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And the winner is:]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23312706 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:13:54 EDT Re: plastic box vs. metal box (electrical) http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23312673
However I really wouldn't worry about automation switches bursting into flames. If anything they are probably safer than conventional switches. Anyway if the switch starts burning the box is the least of your problems. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23312673 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:05:25 EDT Re: plastic box vs. metal box (electrical) http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23312157
So, do plastic boxes have any kind of fire rating?

Thanks,
Nick]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23312157 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:42:24 EDT Re: plastic box vs. metal box (electrical) http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23312037 Typically, residential is plastic and commercial is metal. Although there are a few municipalities that require metal for everything.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23312037 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:09:47 EDT Re: plastic box vs. metal box (electrical) http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23312020
Less grounding involved...and far easier with built-in cable clamps.

If you treat plastic boxes with reasonable care (meaning don't strip them), they will last a long time.

I've had people request all metal, though. They paid for it...time and materials. :p


--
The man who speaks to you of sacrifice is speaking of slaves and masters, and intends to be the master.
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23312020 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:03:54 EDT Re: plastic box vs. metal box (electrical) http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23311647
whichever you use, make sure you have the proper clamps for the box type and the cable used.
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Lack of Preparation on YOUR Part does NOT Constitute an Emergency on Mine!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23311647 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:44:14 EDT Re: plastic box vs. metal box (electrical) http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23311634 --
And the winner is:]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23311634 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:41:05 EDT Re: plastic box vs. metal box (electrical) http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23311609 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23311609 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:33:42 EDT plastic box vs. metal box (electrical) http://www.dslreports.com/forum/plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23311566
TIA
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And the winner is:]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/plastic-box-vs-metal-box-electrical-23311566 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:24:34 EDT