Have you ever observed boxes installed in the walls and the ceilings? Well, these are the receptacle boxes that are also commonly known as wall sockets. Receptacle boxes protect wires, cables and other electrical elements within a wall cavity or ceiling. Electricians place these boxes inside the wall, and then install wires and cables to power the outlet.
Hence, choosing them rightly as per the need, goes indispensable. When buying an outlet box, consider weather it is deep or shallow, metallic or non- metallic, nail- on or bracket mounted type. With this article, one would discover, what to buy and what to avoid, what looks good and what is really good, what works and what doesn’t- before you install the receptacle boxes.
First of all, determine the thickness of the wall where you plan to install the receptacle. Do not choose the boxes too deep that do not even fit into the wall. The box should be as deep as the thickness of the wall framing or smaller. For example, a wall with 4-inch studs requires a box that’s 4 inches deep or less.
To avoid cable fill violation, always use the right size box. You can find one that is 3 inches deep or 22.5 cubic centimeter. Using the small receptacle box can lead to many electric hazards.
Made from both plastic and cast metal, weatherproof boxes are used outside the house when the entire receptacle box will be exposed. Even though the box is weatherproof, the receptacle still needs to be protected with the weatherproof cover.
Choosing the type of material for the receptacle box is up to the homeowners. Receptacle boxes are made from either plastic or metal. Plastic receptacle boxes tend to be cheaper, but are also more susceptible to damage. Metal boxes are more expensive, but can protect the wiring more effectively and are available in a wider selection of designs and sizes. Metal boxes can also be joined together, or ganged, while plastic boxes cannot be joined.
Moreover, plastic receptacle boxes should not be used with the heavy light fixtures and fans. Well, the metal boxes are best suited for such purposes.
Installing the receptacle boxes can be easily performed by the homeowners. But, if one feels under- confident can take the help from a talented electrician. Caution should be taken while handling electrical circuits. Moreover, never attempt to carry out electrical tasks when the power is live.
Scott Rodgers is an author with ample experience in electricians work all over the country. His splendid guidance has created business opportunities for a lot many Waleska Electricians and Naperville Electricians .



