Mounting quad box

[thoyer]

Starting to wire my garage and the quad boxes I picked up at the supply house have the typical nail anchors on one side but have mounting tabs on the other side.

I set the boxes for 1/2" drywall and nailed to the studs. When I check the depth of the tabs they seem to be set for 3/8" rock. When I install the 1/2" rock it will push back on those tabs making the box crooked in the cutout.

Should I cut those tabs off?

The duplex boxes I'm using don't have these tabs.

Tom

 

[joe_padavano]

Should I cut those tabs off?

Yes.

 

[Terry D]

Yea, I would. It looks like the box has different Mark's on it for different thickness of drywall. I would keep it spaced out 1/2 inch.

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[thoyer]

Thanks!

 

[BreeStephany]

Generally, when installing anything past single gang boxes or boxes where there may be cabinets or additional wall board installed (FRP, stainless, ply, etc.) after sheetrock, I prefer to use adjustable depth boxes. They cost a little bit more, but are definitely worth it when it comes time to trim out.

Another benefit to adjustable depth boxes is that the adjustment bracket grips the stud and keeps the box from pushing back into the wall when you rock the structure.

With that said, with the boxes you have, I would trim off the tabs so that your boxes sit straight and flush with the rock. Once you sheetrock, if your boxes don't end up flush with the wall, you can always use caterpillars/spacers to make sure that your devices sit flush with the wall and remain secure.

Just my two cents.

 

[thoyer]

I would trim off the tabs so that your boxes sit straight and flush with the rock. Once you sheetrock, if your boxes don't end up flush with the wall, you can always use caterpillars/spacers to make sure that your devices sit flush with the wall and remain secure.

Just my two cents.

Good idea - thank you.

Tom

 

[ArcticGabe]

It's a bit hard to tell from the picture, but are the small protrusions from the box sitting tight against the stud? I have always mounted the box this way because I would take a small piece of stud and mount it behind the other ears. When using duplex or especially triplex boxes, it insures that the other (non-nailed) edge of the box is supported in case you have a rather tight plug so it doesn't flex the box. Yes, it causes the box to be sub-flush with the face of the drywall by about 1/8", but it stays rock solid and it's easy to use spacers to make the switch or outlet flush where it needs to be.

As I look at your picture again, it looks like the box is deep enough to actually touch the exterior wall sheathing. If so, then you wouldn't need anything to support the other edge of the box, so cutting off the ears makes sense.

 

[ard]

So you guys would trade the mechanical support of the integral tabs for ONE-EIGTH of an inch misalignment? Compensated by the device screws, covered by the plates...and within NEC rules? As I recall, you are allowed 1/4"

No?

 

[bigmike989]

Modifying a box could void it's UL rating.

 

[pbon]

If you want added support, install a block behind the box. If you are using the heavy duty boxes, not the flimsy ones, and have it nailed on one side, it should be fine. Cut the tabs off.