Types of Electric Boxes to Protect Your Wiring at Home

There are many types of electrical boxes you can use to keep your wiring safe from leakages or entanglement. If you have trouble picking a specific type for your home wiring project, we’ve created a simple guide for you to find the one that fits it best.

Metal and Plastic Boxes

You’ll find that electrical boxes usually come in metal or plastic. You can use metal boxes if you plan to place them outside. Steel or aluminum boxes should be tough enough to withstand outdoor conditions. For a more secure, weatherproof option, aluminum is your best choice.

For non-metallic cables, you can use either plastic or metal boxes. Some cables already come with their own ground wire, but metal boxes must still be connected to the system ground.

Standard Rectangular Boxes

Standard rectangular boxes usually come at 2x3 inches in size. This can fit your typical single light fixture switches or outlets. You can group these up with other boxes of the same size if you want to hold more devices at the same time.

Depending on the type, some standard boxes have cable clamps built in for your NM cables. 

2-Gang, 3-Gang, and 4-Gang Boxes

There are two ways these types of boxes can come in. First, it can be as a box that comes in a size big enough to contain about three or four devices side by side. 

You could also stack about three or four standard rectangular boxes on its side to make a larger box. That’s where its name “-gang” comes from. You can gang them up to achieve your desired wiring system.

Round Pan Boxes

These boxes are perfect for your light fixtures mounted on your ceilings or walls. You can even use metal pan boxes for your ceiling fans if you wish. These boxes are not as deep as others, coming in at only 1/2 or 3/4 inches.

When placing your fixtures, make sure to secure the wires and fit them perfectly onto your pan box. Try not to overload its capacity as it is very shallow.

Octagon and Round Boxes

Unlike round pan boxes, octagon and round boxes have more leeway when it comes to depth. They could range anywhere from one to three inches deep. 

They are also better for surface-mounted installations. Some models will come with a juncture on each side so that you can fasten them against the wall or ceiling. This will help you attach the box on any surface rather than cut a hole through it yourself.

Ceiling Fan-Rated Boxes

Like their round box cousins, ceiling fan boxes can hold ceiling-mounted installations. They can also come in octagonal shapes. 

To distinguish them from your typical round and octagonal boxes, make sure they are clearly marked for ceiling-fan mounting. Your typical round and octagonal boxes don’t have the specific fastening required to withstand the rotation of the ceiling fan.

4-Inch Square Box

As its name suggests, these boxes have more space in its interior thanks to its four corners. Although it comes at your usual depth, they can accommodate more connections. The 4-inch square box is also handy to use for connections that come in multiple directions.

Conclusion

These are only some of the various types of electrical boxes you can find, but they are the most noteworthy ones. When making your installations, it’s always best to practice safety precautions in handling the wires. Make sure your electrical box fits the kind of wiring you are going for and that they are securely placed.

For a safer installation, B Town Electric will make sure all of your electrical wires stay secure. B Town Electric has many licensed electricians on call to help you with your residential, commercial, and industrial electrical concerns. Contact us now and get a free estimate on your repairs.