what type of electrical box to use for a vanity light
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New work: 3 types practice it all
If you have the walls opened up for remodeling or putting on an add-on, these three boxes cover almost 99 percentage of your needs.
- 22-CU.-IN. 4-IN. Circular BOX for ceiling light fixtures, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and wall sconce calorie-free fixtures.
- 22-CU.-IN. Unmarried-GANG BOX for a typical outlet or switch.
- 32-CU.-IN. DOUBLE-GANG BOX for two light switches together in the aforementioned box, or 2 duplex receptacle outlets.
The purpose of electrical boxes
Wiring connections—where wires join an outlet, switch or other wires—must exist inside an electrical box. Here'south why: Connections are the weak link in an electric system. If they get damaged, loosened or pulled apart, you're left without power, or worse, with a burn down. Electrical boxes are merely meant to protect vulnerable connections.
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Box material
Indoor nonmetallic boxes are typically plastic or fiberglass. Cheap PVC boxes like the one shown at far right piece of work fine, but they tin motility or distort in wood framing as the studs dry. I adopt to spend the extra xx¢ per box on heavy-duty thermoset plastic or fiberglass boxes. Unlike PVC boxes, they're super potent and maintain their shape.
Box Size
Wires, receptacles and switches need acceptable infinite. Crowded boxes can damage wires, resulting in a burn or shock take a chance. You lot can use the chart below to calculate the required box size. Add upwardly the numbers for the correspond- ing components in the box to detect how many cubic inches you'll need. In well-nigh cases, I skip the math and just buy the largest book box available in the style I need. I've never been frustrated by having a box that was too big.
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Ceiling fan boxes
If yous're hanging a ceiling fan, you'll need a box designed to support the extra weight. These boxes for ceiling paddle fans are sold as kits, with a broad variety of mounting options for new work and one-time work (defined below). Boxes that are the sole support of the fan have to be rated for upward to seventy lbs. If the fan is sup- ported independently of the box, you can apply a full general-purpose box.
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Adjustable boxes
If you know you'll be installing ceramic tile or woods paneling or wainscoting, buy adjustable boxes. They're mounted to the framing members like whatsoever other box;
y'all merely plough a screw to adjust the depth flush with the wall treatment. The adjustment screw is attainable even after the wall treatment is applied.
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Exterior surface-mountain boxes
Exterior surface-mount boxes—ofttimes molded PVC—have either threaded or glued hubs and are used with PVC electrical conduit. I like bandage-aluminum boxes for outdoor projects. They're extra durable and weatherproof. They often come equally a kit, including a basis-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacle and a weatherproof cover, or as a lighting kit with gaskets and lamp holders for floodlights.
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Surface-mount boxes
On concrete or cake walls, surface-mountain boxes and conduit are the mode to go. These boxes can be plastic or metal. Because they're exposed, they need to be mounted perfectly plumb and level. They also require conduit to protect the wires.
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Pan boxes
Four-inch round pan boxes (short for "pancake") come in handy if a ceiling joist is correct where you need to install your dining room calorie-free fixture. Cutting a notch in the ceiling joist would weaken it. Pan boxes are only 1/2 in. deep and just accept a volume of half dozen cu. in., but they will safely accommodate the three wires yous need for your light fixture. Plus: Check out the Top 10 Tools for DIY Electrical Work
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Gasket boxes
Free energy code boxes are for insulated walls and ceilings. They typically take a molded flange with a foam gasket too as cream- lined cablevision entries. This helps form an closed seal to keep out drafts. I like to caulk the box flange right to the vapor bulwark.
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Metallic boxes
You can wire a whole home using only non- metallic boxes, only metallic boxes yet come in handy for sure situations. They're extremely sturdy and piece of work well where you lot need lots of volume in the box—for example, for a welder receptacle in your workshop or for a hub where multiple cables meet. As with nonmetallic boxes, get the large ones, which are 4 in. square by ii-1/8 in. deep. You'll find cover options for most configurations of switches and receptacles, too every bit mud rings.
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"Old piece of work" boxes
Erstwhile work (or "remodeling") boxes are for walls that are covered with drywall or other textile. They don't need to be fastened to a stud, and then you can install them anywhere. There are several types. The ane shown has flip-out tabs that squeeze the box flanges confronting the drywall. Using the box face up as a mark template, you'll go a squeamish, shut fit.
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Depression-voltage brackets
Unlike in the erstwhile days when homes had 1 or two phone jacks, today we have much more than depression-voltage wiring for computers, cablevision TV, home amusement systems, and whole-house audio, security and temperature control systems. Save fourth dimension and money by installing low-voltage brackets instead of electric boxes. Low-voltage wiring doesn't necessarily need an enclosed box. In fact, you often don't want an enclosed box considering information technology may require the wires to brand a sharp curve, which impedes the performance of some cables.
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Originally Published: June 05, 2019
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Source: https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/electrical-box-basics-all-homeowners-should-know/