4S & Handy boxes
- Thread starter kschauwe
- Start date
I prefer welded, but it really does not matter, handy boxes should NEVER be used and if considering using a handy box, place your hands on a anvil & have someone hit each finger 10 times with a hammer, after that then go ahead & use a handy box.
They are absolutely the worst type of box to use, and are a sure sign it was a DIY job.
They are absolutely the worst type of box to use, and are a sure sign it was a DIY job.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Why? What is better?
Fishingfoolemjak
Well-known member
Sometimes a handy box is all that will fit, especially in custom job/locations. However, like stated above, avoid them if at all possible!
Fishingfoolemjak
Well-known member
By “4S”, do you mean 4 square (or 1900’s)? If so, and you have room for a 4” square box, why would you look at using a handy box?
Hpozzuoli
Well-known member
What’s the problem with handy boxes? I use them all the time for just about everything. I have a milk crate full in my truck that comes with me from job to job. Just don’t bury them like any other box.
con: Welded 4" boxes have sharper corners and edges.
con: You can break an edge weld by pounding on a stubborn knockout
pro: welded boxes are cheaper by a few cents in my area.
If I'm leaving the box exposed, normally I'll use a drawn box instead of a welded one because it's a smoother finish.
con: You can break an edge weld by pounding on a stubborn knockout
pro: welded boxes are cheaper by a few cents in my area.
If I'm leaving the box exposed, normally I'll use a drawn box instead of a welded one because it's a smoother finish.
Hot Rod Grampa
Well-known member
Hard to believe anyone would post such an ignorant comment on the use of a handy box. There is nothing wrong when used in the correct application. Like anything else in this world, bad tradesmen can mess up the best equipment. Stupidity has no boundaries. Good grief.
PelicanPines
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MikeF2316
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Wirepuller
Banned
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Very ignorant statement. Half the time all the tamper and flow switches are installed so tight to other sprinkler fittings they're the best option.
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manwithtools
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Grandpa,
Norcal is one of the most knowledgeable electricians on this board. His comment was a bit tongue in cheek, but he has a valid overall point. Handy boxes are a pain in the **** for anyone to work in or add anything to them. There are cases where one may have no choice but to use them, but in general terms they are a sign of less than quality work in many peoples opinion.
Respectfully, you need to spend a bit more time on this board and see the responses given by Norcal, he knows what he is talking about.
A handy box is 13 cubic inches. That is enough for a device and three 12 AWG wires. It is not enough for a device and four wires, so you can't use one for an outlet that has another outlet downstream, or for many other things. (which they're routinely used for, which is why they're the sign of a hack who doesn't know or care about wire fill rules.
Dagny
Well-known member
What ya mean they are perfect for GFCI receptacles. I have a picture somewhere of one with 2 14-3s 3 14-2s and a SSU.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Just because it fits doesn't mean it meets code.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Thanks. Admittedly, i have bought handy boxes for applications where based on this, i should have gone larger. I'll keep this in mind going forward.
Last edited:
markushofer27
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The only good purpose I came across for a handy box is when lead I was working with on job used a hand box for a recept and 2 Mc going in it energized the steel,when he didn't bond xo to the frame on a step down when I told him it needs to be done several times.
alfredeneuman
Well-known member
All the tamper/flow switches I've ever seen (I've seen a lot of them in commercial) were hooked up with a section of flex conduit, and the boxes mounted on the wall.
zmaxmotorsports
Well-known member
zmaxmotorsports
Well-known member
I'll take a 4sq box with a plaster ring any time possible over a handy box.
I come across handy boxes on side of furnaces all the time,there's room for a 4sq box 99% of the time on a furnace,some contractors are just concerned about saving $.50 over price of a 4sq is all.
I come across handy boxes on side of furnaces all the time,there's room for a 4sq box 99% of the time on a furnace,some contractors are just concerned about saving $.50 over price of a 4sq is all.
sberry
Banned
They are handi box, a brand.
MikeF2316
Well-known member
Holy smokes. Over the size of an electrical box?
I just used a couple putting some lights in my shed. One for a switch, one duplex outlet on the ceiling. I have 14/2 NMD-90 in conduit coming from my garage to the switch, then on to the duplex outlet. For those that don't like these, what should I have used?
Using conduit where handy boxes are at the end of a run is usually fine.
Observing conductor fill is usually the violation when running cable and daisy chaining from box to box and also putting devices in the same box, the fill is exceeded. I always hated handy boxes b/c I had to search for a shorter screw for devices - reason for my first bolt cutter.
Even if done correctly at initial install, someone always needs to add to a ckt and rarely changes out an existing handy box to a larger box.
A 4" sq x 1-1/2" (or even 2-1/8") deep is usually the smart choice so there is plenty of room to wire it up initially and go back into and add on if needed.