Tips For Installing Electrical Boxes

In most situations it is possible to install electrical boxes yourself, providing that you feel confident in handling the wiring and hook-up of both the breaker box and the electrical outlet. Since a breaker box can be confusing to say the least, not to mention dangerous if you don't know what you are doing, you may simply want to install the outlet boxes and have an electrician handle all the electrical work. This can save you both time and money and you are sure that the job is done correctly and up to code.

Start by planning where you want the boxes located. If you are considering inside switch and plug-in or receptacle types of outlets then position will be important. Generally light switches are located on the inside of the doors to a room, usually at a comfortable height for adults, which can be about at the three to four foot mark, however you may want to move this up or down depending on your personal preference. Receptacles of plug-ins are typically positioned closer to the floor, however in restrooms, kitchens and utility rooms they may also be at counter height or above, prefect for plugging in appliances and lights or other electrical devices.

If the house is framed but drywall hasn't been installed then attaching the boxes to the studs is simple and easy. The same type of box can be used for both or for combinations of receptacles and switches. There are options for metal or plastic electrical boxes and boxes of a variety of different sizes to accommodate your needs. This selection can sometimes be a bit confusing, talk to an electrician if you have any concerns about the size of the box required. Metal boxes also have the option of being used in conjunction with each other, known as ganging, which simply expands the box by attaching another.

Electrical boxes are mounted directly to studs to provide a secure, solid attachment that won't become loose over time and with repeated use. Wood screws, not drywall screws, need to be used to secure the box in the correct position. If you are installing the box into an existing wall with the drywall already in place you will have to cut in the box. This requires a bit more skill with a keyhole saw or a jig saw. You can also use a cut-in box that has a special bracket to hold the box firmly in place using a bracket behind the box and tabs on the front that attach directly to the drywall.

Both types of boxes need to be positioned correctly to allow the front part of the metal or plastic box to sit flush with the exterior surface of the drywall. If you position the electrical boxes too far forward the face plate of the switch or receptacle will stick out, leaving a sloppy looking installation. Boxes that are too far behind the surface of the drywall will be more likely to crack or bend the face plate. You can use a small piece of drywall to correctly position the box before attaching it to the stud with the wood screws. The box needs to be secure and level, and then all that is required is to run the wires from the box to the breaker, leaving extra wire at both ends for any adjustment that needs to occur.

Installing indoor or outdoor electrical boxes isn't difficult and you can do this yourself even if you don't want to complete the entire electrical work. If you are confident in your ability the electrical hook-up is very straight forward, just one neutral, one hot and one ground for a simple single receptacle.