Re-Work boxes and decor switches- Poor design

[Leeboy20]

Was at home depot/ Rona picking up some stuff for my house , and needed 8 re-work electrical boxes, outlets and cover plates. Both stores sold me the same boxes and said they work no problem with decor outlets and plates. So, saturday night after everything was closed i got into the project. Turns out these boxes ( the flip up tab, not the pinch style) do not accept decor style. I had to do a little modifying ( drilling) to make them work, but will be returning the last few and give them a lesson in their product.

 

[rabidsquirrel]

Uh, you need to break those ears off. That's why they have those score marks.

 

[Leeboy20]

I don't see what that would do, its the decor plate screw just above the mounting screw that is the problem. It bottoms out on the back of the box itself .

 

[rabidsquirrel]

I don't see what that would do, its the decor plate screw just above the mounting screw that is the problem. It bottoms out on the back of the box itself .

Didn't even see that; that's a really ****** design.

Standard procedure is to bring that tab forward on the box so it it just passed the end of the box and to break the ears off the receptacle so it fits flush with the tab.

-edit-

What I've done on the job in the past is use a pair of wire strippers with the 6/32 screw cutter to cut the cover plate screws down.

 

[MrMark]

that is a crappo design, but it is not just those boxes. I've run into this precise issue with other boxes too. Ears look fine to me.

 

[malibu101]

This one looks like the ears may have a bit more room for the decora plate screw to pass- http://www.lowes.com/pd_74219-53911-CDOWTG-16L_0__?productId=3318610

 

[frankush]

The screws they give you with a decora plate are shorter for just that reason, so they won't bottom out. The ears are also meant to be removed with a gem box like you've got. Many times if they are not removed, the wall plate will not sit flush with the wall.

 

[jbberns]

That is why I hate box stores. Junk.

 

[bassman]

Can't remove the ears when using Madison clips to hold that box in the wall, it'll just fall into the wall. Just take you're dikes and snip off the part of the ear that's behind the screw, or just cut the screws. Better yet, don't use metal boxes, use plastic old work boxes, has nothing to do with bogbox stores, supply house would have sold you the same box if you asked for it

 

[truckn_r]

Can't remove the ears when using Madison clips to hold that box in the wall, it'll just fall into the wall. Just take you're dikes and snip off the part of the ear that's behind the screw, or just cut the screws. Better yet, don't use metal boxes, use plastic old work boxes, has nothing to do with bogbox stores, supply house would have sold you the same box if you asked for it

Thats all there is to it..

 

[Falcon67]

I'd have to look at one to be sure, but all the old work boxes here are plastic - not metal - and should clear that screw easy. I've never looked for a metal old work box in HD or Lowes, never thought they existed. Been using plastic old work since I bought my first house in 1974.

 

[frankush]

The ears I'm talking about are not on the box but the receptacle itself. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this style box. If you know how to install it correctly, it's a non issue. I tried to help but I avoid this section of the forum for a reason. If you want a plastic box, then ask for one the next time you go shopping.