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Are plastic electrical boxes grounded?
Plastic electrical boxes have their pluses and minuses. Because they are plastic, there is no need to attach a ground wire to it. Since it is made of a non-conductive material, switches and outlets cannot short out if they touch the side of the box.
Do you have to ground metal electrical box?
The only requirement is that the application is grounded. Metal-sheathed wiring depends on bonding with the metal electrical box for grounding. Using metal-sheathed wiring with plastic electrical boxes, without taking other grounding measures, severs that ground and is highly dangerous.
Can you use plastic electrical boxes on metal studs?
You can use plastic boxes with metal studs, but they must be the kind of boxes designed for metal studs. Don’t use boxes designed for wood studs. It is allowable in most jurisdictions, however there is a safety consideration. If you use an plastic box, the steel stud assembly is not bonded to ground.
Do plastic electrical boxes need clamps?
Single plastic boxes do not require internal cable clamps, but the cable must be stapled within 8 in. of the box. Larger plastic boxes are required to have built-in cable clamps and the cable must be stapled within 12 in.
Can you use a plastic box as a junction box?
When to Use Plastic Junction Boxes Use plastic boxes when: There are non-metallic (NM) cables leading in or out of the box. Metal-sheathed wiring relies on bonding with the metal electric box for grounding and should not be used in plastic boxes. You’re doing the job yourself.
Can you use a junction box to extend wiring?
You can definitely use a junction box to extend your wiring. To do this, start by turning off the power. Then inspect the place and cut the required openings. Next, position the wires and adjust the box to pass the wires through.
What type of electrical boxes do you use with metal studs?
If you use metal studs, run conduit and mount 1900 boxes and mud rings. If you use wood studs, run NM and use plastic.
What to do with a plastic electrical box?
The following applies to the cheap blue plastice electrical boxes: On single gang boxes, knock the square hole out with your needle nose pliers. On double gang or larger boxes, there is a “spring” connector molded into the box. You may have to coerce the connector to open enough to get the wire in the box. I prefer the metal boxes too.
Which is the best material for an electrical box?
Plastic (made off polyvinyl chloride, or PVC) is fast becoming the standard material for electrical boxes, especially for do-it-yourself work. Plastic boxes are lightweight, cheap, and simple to work with. Holes are easy to punch out in the back or sides.
Do you need a ground wire for a plastic electrical box?
Plastic Electrical Box Uses. Because they are plastic, there is no need to attach a ground wire to it. Since it is made of a non-conductive material, switches and outlets cannot short out if they touch the side of the box. Plastic boxes usually come with tapped screw holes for easy attachment of switches and outlets.
Can you use BX wiring in a plastic box?
You should not use metal-sheathed or “BX” wiring with plastic electrical boxes. The reasoning is simple — with armored cable, the box itself provides ground conductor continuity. Plastic boxes don’t use metal cable clamps and do not provide the required grounding path.