Outlet Covers, what to use?

[misterfixit]

I'm finishing my detached shop. The walls are lined with OSB, and electrical will be run in PVC conduit with surface mount metal boxes for outlets. What is the suggested outlet covers? Should I go with the metal that just seems to fit the box without much overhang? Or is there a plastic cover that is good for this?

Suggestions appreciated.

 

[Terry D]

I would go with a 4x4 metal box. They come in 2 1/8 and 1 1/2 deep. Trade name is a 1900. I would go with a metal exposed work cover for what ever configuration of devices you are using. They make them for switches also

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RACO-4-in-Raised-Ground-Welded-Square-Electrical-Box-8232/100578083

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RACO-4-...ERCH=REC-_-searchViewed-_-NA-_-100038014-_-N&

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RACO-4-...MERCH=REC-_-searchViewed-_-NA-_-100070741-_-N

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RACO-4-in-Square-Exposed-Work-Cover-for-1-GFCI-Device-808C/202056256

 

[The Cobbler]

I used metal covers in my shop. more durable than plastic. I would do it again .
I had a collection of mostly brass covers and used them

 

[Bert_]

For surface mount use 4x4 boxes and raised covers.

My opinion would be to use emt over pvc.

 

[OneOfEm]

I used (and am using) exactly what Terry D lists above and couldn't be happier. It was a simple install and is a very clean and bulletproof setup.

 

[HenryAZ]

I like the Taymac metal oversized cover plates, available at Home Depot and other places. They are available for just about any combinations of gang(s) and switch/outlet types.

 

[misterfixit]

Just to fully understand, are there any 'plastic' covers that are tough enough for the shop? Or do I need to get a metal cover for whatever box I have? The shop is my one man home hobby shop.

 

[Terry D]

Just to fully understand, are there any 'plastic' covers that are tough enough for the shop? Or do I need to get a metal cover for whatever box I have? The shop is my one man home hobby shop.

Its not that plastic is not tough enough. Nylon covers are durable. With a flush mount box, that would be the way to go. But with a surface mount box as the one I described above, you would have to put a mudring on it in order to use a plastic cover. And that is unnecessary and doesn't look right. On a 4x4 metal box with raised covers, the devices attach to the cover. They are made for each other. Please don't be tempted to use a handy box. They have there place, in the trash can. They should be outlawed. I would also recommend EMT instead of PVC, but you would need a bender.

 

[misterfixit]

Its not that plastic is not tough enough. Nylon covers are durable. With a flush mount box, that would be the way to go. But with a surface mount box as the one I described above, you would have to put a mudring on it in order to use a plastic cover. And that is unnecessary and doesn't look right. On a 4x4 metal box with raised covers, the devices attach to the cover. They are made for each other. Please don't be tempted to use a handy box. They have there place, in the trash can. They should be outlawed. I would also recommend EMT instead of PVC, but you would need a bender.

What do you mean a handy box? I know what I call a handy box but to me, in this area anyway, a metal 2-gang box is a handy box. A single gang metal box is a handy box as well, and so is the metal single gang box with the angle for mounting on 2x's. Maybe it's area specific?

 

[misterfixit]

Terry, for what it's worth, my plan is to use the metal single gang surface mount "handy box". I have used them in the past on a couple of shop building's i've built. If that is what you mean not to use, why do you recommend against them?

Also, not to argue but to understand, why EMT vs PVC conduit?

 

[Terry D]

The thing with handy boxes is they have no room, most of the time when they are installed they are over filled. I might use one on a rare occasion on a side of the furnace for the service disconnect switch, but most of the time I will even use a 4x4 for that. Here is what I mean by over filling. Say you have a conduit coming into and out of a handy box that is 2 1/8 inch deep. According to the NEC, that box is a 14.5 ci. You can have 6 # 12's of 7 # 14's. The receptacle counts as 2, the grounds count as 1, and say you have a black and white entering and leaving the box which is spliced for that receptacle, that's 4. So that all adds up to 7. If you are running # 12, you would be over filled. # 14 would be ok, but you probably want to run a 20 amp circuit. And if you are putting wire nuts in there, that just adds to the problem. Although the NEC does not deduct for wire nuts. The boxes are just to small.

As far as EMT vs PVC. EMT just looks better. But you need a bender and a little know how, its not hard once you know the math. Lots of videos on YouTube. PVC has its place outside and underground and wet locations. Plus the threads on those PVC box connectors are long and stick in the box farther, that just adds to the handy box problem

These are just my own opinions. Do it the way you feel is the best for you.

 

[Bert_]

These are 4sq

 

[Noltz]

These are what I used. PVC boxes and conduit.

I still need to fix the strap locations... I'll get to that.

 

[teamextreme]

Listen to Terry D, he's providing good advice. I would also use EMT and 4" square boxes. Handy boxes are single gang steel boxes and they are worthless and should only be used in very limited situations. EMT looks far more professional. If you're sold on running PVC, make sure you run a ground wire (which you don't need in EMT, another benefit, and another can of worms argument as to whether you should or not).

 

[BigGarage]

What do you mean a handy box? I know what I call a handy box but to me, in this area anyway, a metal 2-gang box is a handy box. A single gang metal box is a handy box as well, and so is the metal single gang box with the angle for mounting on 2x's. Maybe it's area specific?

I was told here that this is a handy box. I used plastic covers because I had a million of 'em.

Here's what they look like.

Dennis