Mounting single gang outlet in metal ceiling?

[93calypsohatch]

Like the title says whats the best method of putting a gang box in a metal ceiling?

Nailing to a truss and cutting a hole? But what if where i want the box there is no truss? Do I just frame that area in or is there a box that attaches directly to the metal?

Thanks for any help

 

[Charlie51]

I think you're going to have to at least run a 2x4 between ceiling joists and mount the box to that.

 

[John in OH]

I think you're going to have to at least run a 2x4 between ceiling joists and mount the box to that.

Yep! I agree with Charlie51. I'm not aware of any electrical box that can be properly mounted directly to the steel ceiling material.

I've added numerous ceiling outlets to the steel ceiling in my shop. Fortunately, I was always able to place them adjacent to a truss chord with no problems, but if one had to be located away from a truss chord I'd definitely add a 2x4 between the chords first. You can see some of the outlets that I installed in posts #101 and #117 in my build thread at:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=98038&page=6

 

[OccupantRJ]

Use an old work type box and have freedom of placement.

 

[Cyberbear]

When I was in the trade they made something called a "tiger grip" box that only required a hole be cut, the box inserted and the little clamping flippers would hold the box in place. There are several similar styles on the market, you'll just need to find the one that works best for your application. I've always used metal boxes, me being old school, and having no faith in plastic, especially if a bad connection fire is begun.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Lowes has the boxes that Cyberbear and I referred to, both in plastic and metal.

 

[93calypsohatch]

I was looking at the plastic old work boxes but was unsure if it would clamp down far enough to hold it to the thin metal when typically it would installed in drywall.

I'll check the metal old work boxes out or just nail in a 2x4. Thanks