Simple Q

[sands35]

Does it matter if an outlet box is proud of the drywall?

The box will be for a 50 amp welder. I have a romex 6-4 cable going into it.

I have not done a box fill calculation on a 4" square box, but was simply going to put a 1" extension on it and have it sit proud of the drywall by ~1/2-3/4"

Are there code issues with this?

(aside the obvious cosmetic issue - but that has more to do with my mud skills )

 

[porschedude996TT]

It would just look odd. There are plenty of boxes placed in garages without drywall.

 

[sands35]

Looking odd isn't really a problem with me. The walls are 2x4 and I'd like to get ~1" of insulation behind the box if possible.

It will be a 50 amp plug which looks odd anyway. It's a working garage, not a living room. . I'll have a weld table under it and will probably put up some galvanized sheet on the wall to protect it from splatter anyway.

Is there a code issue with a proud box? (I assume that it needs to be sealed up with no gaps into the box, etc.)

I may get a 6" square box, just to give me some more room....

 

[porschedude996TT]

They are not sealed to the drywall, just have all the knock-out plugged, so you can't get a finger inside.

 

[rburke65]

There isn't a problem that I am aware of. I it as you say, a working garage, why not surface mount the box? You can bring the cable into the back of the box for a cleaner look.

 

[sands35]

I thought about that too (surface mount)... the problem is box fill for a 6-3 and 50 amp receptacle. I need a ~2" box extension for a 4x4x2.125 with mud ring, or I need to get a 6x6x2.5 box or do something like get a 50 amp RV hookup. Surface mounting a double ~4" deep box would look fugly.

NEC box fill is at 35in^3 - but the real problem is getting the #6 wires stuffed into the box.... why I want a bigger one. I could use a 4x with mud ring - but that's right up against the NEC volume requirements.

I did find some 6x6 junction boxes that are 2.5 deep and put a mud ring on it and make it flush. I need a couple other non-common (at least a big box stores) electrical boxes too.

 

[RickP]

I was able to fit 6-3 cable and a 50 amp receptacle in a 4x4x2.125 box with mud ring, so it is possible. Getting the #6 wires stuffed into the box was difficult though, so a bigger ring or box would help.




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[Highbeam]

I was able to fit 6-3 cable and a 50 amp receptacle in a 4x4x2.125 box with mud ring, so it is possible. Getting the #6 wires stuffed into the box was difficult though,

I have done this a few times too. Try this, run the romex into the top of the box and through the loose clamp. Attach the wires to the outlet. You will find that the wires attach in such a way that they can point towards the clamp. Don't plan on a bunch of slack in the box and pull the wire out of the box as you guide the outlet onto the box. Tighten the clamp.

 

[sands35]

That's not a bad idea. The wires are stapled ~8" from the box though. 6-3 isn't that flexible.... Normally, I'd get the wires dressed so they act like a spring.

No drywall is up and I have a rough and final electrical to pass....