electrical box ... fiberglass or plastic?

[-JP]

The blue plastic boxes are Kmart quality. Cant buy anything cheaper. Big red flag to an inspector or any experienced electrician that comes across an install with blue boxes that he just walked onto a low budget, low quality project.

The tan or gray colored boxes from Allied are fiberglass. Better than the plastic but are thin, device screws will strip easy and the box will break at times if hit hard. Low-Middle choice for quality.

Union boxes sold by T&B are the highest quality non-metallic box you can buy. They are phenolic, not fiberglass. Very hard and durable. They can still break but will take quite a blow by a misguided hammer blow and usually survive. They are dark brown in color and usually only available from an electric supply house. Best choice for quality in residential work.

The only thing more durable is a metal box which is a premium cost and not justified for the typical residential project.

JP

 

[MrMark]

I use metal mostly, but almost all the construction I ever happen upon uses the blue plastic; even in the high end houses here. If I do use plastic, I use the super blue carlon as they seem much tougher and resistant to deformation. I'm surprised to see this last post, not that I disagree with it.

 

[-JP]

... but almost all the construction I ever happen upon uses the blue plastic; even in the high end houses here.

I find it almost amazing how many "High End" houses I have looked at where all the money is put into the finishes but when you look at the mechanical and electrical systems they are really low quality.

Too be fair, level of quality is an arbitrary factor that varies with each individual. As a German engineer, electrician, contractor, and part time philosopher, my standards are pretty high.

JP

 

[czeto]

I do this all the time! But seriously unless you are wiring multiple houses and need to save money, if you only need ten or so boxes why not just stick with steel?

 

[burleymike]

I prefer the PVC boxes, I have come across fiberglass boxes many times where the receptacles have pulled out of the box. It is like the fiberglass does not have enough density for the fine thread screws to hold. I have not had many pull out of a PVC box. I don't like how flexible the PVC boxes are though.

 

[walrus]

I do this all the time! But seriously unless you are wiring multiple houses and need to save money, if you only need ten or so boxes why not just stick with steel?

Just got done with my 2011 15 hr code update, I think the instructor had pics of **** like that

 

[rodm1]

Most pro's like the fiberglass and consider the blue model a hack DIY box.

 

[MrMark]

Not around here. The fiberglass don't exist. All blue or metal "pro" or "no pro".

 

[bww_mnm]

I made the trip to HD and picked up the fiberglass boxes since that's what the orig builder used.

For the few exterior walls, i picked up the $2 vapor box'es (something like this: http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/THOMAS---BETTS-FN-236-V-/28-10701). I don't like that there's ~1/8" of material sitting over the stud though.

- Brad

 

[bww_mnm]

btw, was installing the fiberglass boxes, missed the nail and hit the box w/ my framing nailer. Put a nice hole in the box. Other that that, it's going smoothly.

 

[NUTTSGT]

The company is in Ohio, and it appears to have a presence in MN. Maybe a regional stronghold for this type of box.

Says they're are best suited for chicken coops, cattle barns, hog pens and outhouses. Does this make sense?

The manure in those barns is hard on things. There is a high moisture content and the manure is somewhat acidic I believe. Bare metal will rust quite easily.

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

The manure in those barns is hard on things. There is a high moisture content and the manure is somewhat acidic I believe. Bare metal will rust quite easily.

The cow feed lots aren't so bad (we've got cows & horses), its the pig lots, even the buildings don't last (rust out fast), let alone any electrical. Very high humidity, and very acidic. Everything takes a dump.

They stink to high hell, and I have no idea how anyone works there, or live on the property of the lots (farm). Actually makes cow and horse poo smell comparatively good...(actually its the pig piss that stinks). The largest lot near me, is pretty extensive as far as pig lots, the farmer who owns the lot, lives about 1.5 miles upwind from his lot.... smart guy.

 

[NUTTSGT]

There is a ton of hog barns here. From what I have been told the life expectancy of a hog barn is about 20 years, including the concrete.

I do know the dairy barn I did some work in, they scrape the floor every day and only have saw dust in the free stalls. They left the center 12" of the roof (new section of barn) open to vent it out. They also wanted the light fixtures dead center too. I made up some shields to cover the boxes from any straight falling rain.

 

[LIVELY]

i have never had an inspector FAIL an electrical job because of the plastic boxes
the inspectors always want the wire stapled to the wood outside of the box--that way the wire can not pull out of the box when done
originally this rule was put in affect Along time ago -to keep people from stealing the wiring out of HUD/FHA HOUSES
WHEN THE HOUSES WERE LOST OR PEOPLE MOVED OUT

 

[-JP]

i have never had an inspector FAIL an electrical job because of the plastic boxes

Are you saying you have failed inspections for other reasons???

Nobody said the Kmart blue boxes would not meet code

JP

 

[-JP]

the inspectors always want the wire stapled to the wood outside of the box--that way the wire can not pull out of the box when done
originally this rule was put in affect Along time ago -to keep people from stealing the wiring out of HUD/FHA HOUSES
WHEN THE HOUSES WERE LOST OR PEOPLE MOVED OUT

That is amazing...To think the NEC was changed to keep people from stealing copper wire.

I always thought the NEC was only concerned with safety.
Learn something new everyday.

JP