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Duplex outlet inside NewAge Cabinet

mlittle29

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I'm installing an outlet inside one of my new age cabinets. I plant to cut a hole in the back of the metal cabinet to mach up with the hole in the wall for the electrical box.

My question: I'm using an "Old Work" plastic box...should I install that BEFORE or AFTER I hang the cabinet. The "lip" on the box will either over the Sheet Metal Back from the cabinet (if I install AFTER) or directly on the dry wall (between the Metal Cabinet and Drywall (if I install BEFORE)... ???:headscrat

Not sure if NEC Residential Code addresses this?:confused:
 

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PoorOwner

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I would finish the box on the wall with plate, like normal, and cut a rectangle out of back of the cabinet over it.
 

pbon

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I cut a hole in the back of the cabinet. I did not get it perfect and had to enlarge the hole a bit. I don’t have a cover on it but might try to find an oversized cover. If the cabinets are screwed to the wall I would not worry about having the cover over the cabinet metal. If the cabinets are loose, I would cut around the cover. File any rough edges or cover with tape.
 

Git

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Chance are that you are not going to be able to cut a hole in the back of the cabinet that will line up exactly with the box in the wall

I think what I would do is to cut a hole in the back of the cabinet for an old work box (see pic) and just have the romex in the wall cavity in the general area. Install the cabinet and you will now see if you need to cut more drywall to match up with the hole. Cut the drywall to match, if necessary and then each through, grab the romex and wire up new the new box. The wings on the heavy duty old work box, should handle up to 1" thick or so material

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rharman

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egdede

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They are the best for setting tile, for projects with different finishes and, especially, when you have no idea what you are going to do with the wall surface.
 
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mlittle29

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What’s the best way to use this box for old work remodel? I’m cutting in the box with no stud near to secure the box to.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal
 

pbon

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Not the right box for that use. Use the heavy duty or regular old work box.
 

Git

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Whats the back of your cabinet make out of and how thick?
 
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Git

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An old work box, like I posted in the pic, would work fine.

Cut the hole in the back up metal cabinet first to get an exact fit. Mount the cabinet to the wall and cut a hole in the drywall to match. Leave enough extra romex that you can comfortably wire up the outlet into the work box and then pop the box in the hole and tighten the ears. Easy Peasy.
 
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mlittle29

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An old work box, like I posted in the pic, would work fine.

Cut the hole in the back up metal cabinet first to get an exact fit. Mount the cabinet to the wall and cut a hole in the drywall to match. Leave enough extra romex that you can comfortably wire up the outlet into the work box and then pop the box in the hole and tighten the ears. Easy Peasy.

Yep. This seems like the way I am going to go. Only bad thing is that if the cabinet is ever removed then you have to remove the electrical box too before you take it off the wall. But as I actually type this.....I'm thinking....when am i ever going to remove these cabinets :lol_hitti so probably doesnt matter one bit!

Thanks.
 

Git

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Yep. This seems like the way I am going to go. Only bad thing is that if the cabinet is ever removed then you have to remove the electrical box too before you take it off the wall. But as I actually type this.....I'm thinking....when am i ever going to remove these cabinets :lol_hitti so probably doesnt matter one bit!

Thanks.

If your really concerned about it. Cut the hole in the back of the cabinet. Temp mount the cabinet to the wall. Cut hole in drywall to match. Install the electrical box in the drywall, remount the cabinet and use a box extender to finish it up

This would go inside of your cabinet and it slips into the existing box in the wall

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Electrical-Box-Extender-BE1-2/202708650

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Git

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In case your not familiar with how a box extender works - it just slips into the existing wall mounted electrical box
 

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egdede

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The ones I linked to above require a stud or bracing to fasten to. And they have to be spotted accurately. I have used them to extend through bathroom cabinets. Measure twice...
 

pbon

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I would install so only the outlet cover is over the cabinet sheet metal.
 

slow

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I would install so only the outlet cover is over the cabinet sheet metal.

That is what i would likely do as well, but technically that puts the cabinet at risk of being live, if a wire from inside the box would touch it.
 

pbon

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Cut out a bigger hole then and put the cover over it in the wall.

Or forget about the outlet and feed an extension cord up from under the cabinet. The cabinets are designed for running wires into them.

I don’t see how a wire inside the box can get outside the box and touch the cabinet any more with the cover over the cabinet cutout, with the cover over the wall or with the box insert extension or whatever. I am not worried about mine. Cabinet is screwed to the wall. Box is screwed to a stud.
 
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