How do I fix this outlet?

[Jaguar Fan]

This is an exterior GFCI. I had to replace the GFCI receptacle -- and discovered the plastic box into which the receptacle screws is broken. The interior plastic "tunnel" into which a screw goes is broken off.

I hope my description makes sense.

What are a couple approaches I can take to fix this?

 

[sparky 1971]

Take the cover off so the type of box is visible. If it's a remodel box, you can just swap it out. It looks like there is some type of wood to the right, but it may just be plywood. If it's a stud you can get screw a plastic box through the sides into it. Arlington and Slater both make boxes with built in screws, I have cut the nail ears off of a regular single gang and made my own before also.

 

[Jaguar Fan]

Take the cover off so the type of box is visible. If it's a remodel box, you can just swap it out. It looks like there is some type of wood to the right, but it may just be plywood. If it's a stud you can get screw a plastic box through the sides into it. Arlington and Slater both make boxes with built in screws, I have cut the nail ears off of a regular single gang and made my own before also.

Thanks. It is not a remodel box; I've owned the house since it was new. The wood you see is exterior plywood, but the plastic box is nailed to a stud (not visible in the photo).

Are you suggesting I can remove the receptical & just insert a new plastic box into the old one? or do I need to "chip out" the old one?

 

[Innovate1]

You won't be able to fit another box into the existing. You need to remove the existing one and replace it unless you can mount the existing one somehow to make it solid. Can you get to the backside? If so you could add some blocking to fasten the box to. Another option would be to surface mount a double gang box and screw through the back into the plywood on the sides of the existing hole.

 

[Dagny]

How many wires?

 

[Terry D]

Someone used the wrong kind of screw to attach the in-use cover. That is probably why it broke the box. It should be a 6/32 screw, they make them in longer lengths. You are going to have to remove and replace the box. Your in good shape because you have a stud there. Get a big screw driver and pry between the box and stud to pull it away some. Now take a pair of dikes or Sawsall or even a hacksaw blade and cut the nails. the box with pull right out. The Box that Sparky 1971 suggested would be the best choice for the replacement. The trick for these boxes is to start with the box farther out from where you want, when you tighten the screws, it will draw the box back some. Try to mount the box where it is flush with the finish surface, may not be possible depending on how thick the stucco is. Install a new In-use cover with a new gasket, you may have to use a little silicone to get it to seal around the stucco.

Robot or human?

 

[67carl]

I'm doing some wiring in my garage and needed a few 1 gang and one 3 gang boxes so I went to Home Depot. The shelves for all the electrical boxes was decimated. Seriously empty. I had to scrounge through different boxes (where people put something back in the wrong box) to find what I needed. Anyway, they are carrying those adjustable boxes now and I was able to pick up a couple. They work great and are easy to install. They do cost a bit more than the blue boxes bug feel a bit less flimsy. I'd check out your local HD.

 

[mikedodge]

The tunnel is the box. While it does look like it's not the right kind of screw holding the cover on that's not why the box pulled out. Is it really broken or did it just pull off whatever it was attached to?

 

[Terry D]

The tunnel is the box. While it does look like it's not the right kind of screw holding the cover on that's not why the box pulled out. Is it really broken or did it just pull off whatever it was attached to?

The box is still attached. The box is broke from a oversized screw.

 

[rlitman]

That box looks to be buried way too deep. If it were my house and I found that, I'd buy a mud ring box extension that fits into the hole, attach the mid ring into the hole using construction adhesive, and now I'd have two nice new screw holes to hold the cover on with.

 

[sparky 1971]

Thanks. It is not a remodel box; I've owned the house since it was new. The wood you see is exterior plywood, but the plastic box is nailed to a stud (not visible in the photo).

Are you suggesting I can remove the receptical & just insert a new plastic box into the old one? or do I need to "chip out" the old one?

Terry beat me to it. He also posted the box I suggested. If you can't find one of those or it won't work because of the factory screw position, take a regular 22 cubic inch plastic box and pull the nails out and cut the ears off. You can run screws right through the side of it into the stud. Depending on the type of existing box you have could make it easy or a pita to take out. I hate fiberglass boxes but really appreciate it when the guy before me used them. If that's what you have, take a pair of needle nose and break it. Just let the pieces fall inside the wall. If it's a plastic box you're gonna have to fiddle around to get it out. Good luck

 

[grounded-b]

That white "tunnel" is NOT the box. It is an Arlington "goof ring" to make up the distance because the device box is set back to far.

http://www.aifittings.com/catalog/miscellaneous/box-extenders/BE1

Steve

 

[Jaguar Fan]

Thanks Everyone.