Ethan Clarke
Installing plastic electrical outlet boxes is a simple way to add outlets to your home. Plastic electrical boxes are typically used for lightweight cords for lights, appliances, computers, or phone chargers. They can be installed in a few different ways, depending on the type of wall you have and the tools you have available. Whether you're working with drywall, plaster, or a finished wall, it's important to take safety precautions and carefully plan the job. This includes turning off the power and, in some cases, using a voltage tester to ensure the power is off. With the right tools and safety measures in place, installing plastic electrical outlet boxes can be a straightforward project to improve the functionality of your space.
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What You'll Learn
Planning and safety precautions
Planning:
- Select the appropriate box: Choose a plastic electrical box that meets local codes and is suitable for the intended use. Consider the type of outlet, the weight and thickness of cords, and whether it will be installed in a finished wall or attached directly to a stud.
- Determine the location: Decide on the placement of the outlet box, ensuring it complies with safety regulations. For switches and outlets above countertops, the bottom of the box should be around 4 inches above the countertop surface.
- Prepare the wall: If installing into drywall or plaster, use a stud finder to ensure there are no joists or studs in the way. Mark the location with a torpedo level and trace the outline of the box. Cut a hole with a drywall saw, being careful not to fray the paper.
- Gather the necessary tools: Ensure you have the right tools for the job, including a utility knife, drywall saw, and patching plaster in case of mistakes.
Safety Precautions:
- Turn off the power: Before beginning any electrical work, always turn off the power for safety.
- Use grounded outlets: Ensure you are using grounded electrical outlets and extension cords. Do not remove the grounding prong to fit a two-prong socket.
- Avoid overloading outlets: Do not overload outlets with multiple plugs as it can lead to electrical hazards.
- Use appropriate tools: Always use the right tools for the job and ensure they are in good condition, without any gaps, cracks, or tears in the insulation.
- Handle plastic boxes with care: Plastic electrical boxes can be fragile. When nailing the box, use light and careful blows with a hammer, keeping your strikes perpendicular to the stud. Avoid striking the box in cold weather, as it may shatter.
- Follow electrical codes: Adhere to stringent electrical codes and regulations governing the installation of electrical boxes to ensure safety and compliance.
- Inspect regularly: Regularly inspect the electrical box for any signs of wear, damage, or exposed wiring. A visual inspection is a crucial first step in troubleshooting and maintaining the functionality of the box.
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Cutting the wall
Before you begin installing a plastic electrical outlet box, safety is key. Make sure to turn off the power at your circuit breaker panel box. Use a voltage tester to double-check that the power is off at the electrical outlet to prevent electrical injuries.
Now, find and mark the place where you’ll install the new box. Use a stud finder to ensure that you don’t install your box next to a stud or pipes. Hold the box up to the drywall where it will be situated. Trace around the box with a pencil to mark the area to be cut. Place a torpedo level on the box while you hold it against the drywall to ensure it’s completely level.
To prepare the surface, use a utility knife to score the drywall paper along the pencil outline of the box. Cut the hole with a drywall saw. Cut to the inside of the knife cut to prevent fraying the paper. Test to make sure the box fits in the hole. Once you've made the hole, push the box inside for a test fit. It should fit snugly, but you shouldn’t have to force it.
Take your time cutting a lath-and-plaster wall when installing an electrical box. It's easy to damage the surrounding area. Most plaster is attached to 3/8-inch-thick wood lath, which cuts fairly easily if it does not vibrate. If it does vibrate as you saw, sections of plaster can loosen from the lath. It is difficult to make a neat hole in plaster and lath, so have patching plaster on hand. If plaster is attached to metal lath, cut all the way through the plaster with a knife and then cut the metal lath with side cutters. Make several passes with a sharp knife. Drill starter holes at each corner and then cut with a jigsaw. Press the saw firmly against the wall to minimize lath vibration. Alternatively, use a rotary cutter equipped with a plaster-cutting bit. Practice first because it is hard to control.
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Positioning the box
Firstly, ensure that you have turned off the power at your circuit breaker panel box. Safety is paramount when working with electricity. Use a voltage tester to double-check that the power is indeed off at the outlet you will be working on. This is an important precaution to prevent electrical injuries.
Now, you must find the right location for your new box. Utilise a stud finder to ensure you avoid installing the box next to a stud or any pipes. You don't want to attach the box directly to a stud or joist; instead, you will attach it to the drywall or plaster. Hold the box up to the drywall and use a torpedo level to ensure it is completely straight and level. Trace around the box with a pencil to mark the area that needs to be cut.
When cutting a hole in the drywall, use a utility knife to score the drywall paper along your pencil outline. Cut to the inside of the knife cut to prevent fraying. Drill starter holes at each corner before cutting with a jigsaw. If you are cutting through plaster attached to lath, be cautious to avoid damaging the surrounding area. Cut the plaster with a knife and then use side cutters or a rotary cutter for the lath.
Once you have made the hole, test the fit of your box. It should fit snugly without needing force. If it fits, the next step is to feed your wiring through the box. You can do this by knocking out one of the knockouts found in the corners of the box and pulling your wire through, leaving about 8" hanging out the front and 10" from the back, as per electrical code requirements.
Finally, when installing plastic electrical boxes, be mindful that they can be fragile. When nailing the box into place, use light, careful blows with a hammer, ensuring your blows are perpendicular to the stud. Take extra caution in cold weather, as striking the box in low temperatures can cause it to shatter or break.
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Securing the box
Once you have cut the hole in the drywall, test the fit of your plastic electrical box by pushing it inside. It should fit snugly, but you should not have to force it.
Plastic nail-in electrical boxes often have measuring tabs along the sides. These are typically 3/8-inch and can be used to indicate how far the box should extend from the face of the stud. Start by gently pushing out the nails on the box by hand. When you place the box against the stud, the nails should lightly pierce the wood. This will help to hold the box in place as you drive the mounting nails into the stud.
When nailing the box, use light, careful taps with your hammer. Make sure to keep your taps perpendicular to the stud. Striking too hard could cause the box to move backward along the stud, and there is also a risk of the box shattering or breaking, especially in cold weather.
Some electricians choose not to drive the mounting nails completely into the stud. This allows the box to be easily removed if the layout needs to be changed before the NM cable installation.
Finally, ensure that the box is installed at the correct depth. Most residential drywall is 1/2 or 3/8-inch thick, so keep some drywall strips of this thickness on hand to guide you. If you are using a different wall thickness, make sure the reference strips match.
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Wiring the outlet
First, ensure you are complying with electrical code requirements. Use a voltage tester to confirm that the power is off at the outlet to prevent electrical injuries. This is an essential precaution before beginning any electrical work.
Next, prepare the wiring. Use wire strippers to remove approximately one inch of insulation from the wires. This step will avoid wire ends from being exposed and create a neater finish. Make a loop at the end of each wire, resembling the shape of a candy cane, with the end bent back towards the exposed wire. This loop will be attached to the electric outlet.
Support the cable outside the box. Per electrical code requirements, the wire must be supported within 8 inches of the electrical outlet box. Use a cable staple to secure the wire, especially if using plastic boxes without built-in cable clamps.
Now, you can fold the wires into the electrical box. Accordion-fold the wires, creating a back-and-forth pattern from the top to the bottom of the box. This step ensures the wires are protected during the installation of the drywall.
After the drywall is installed and painted, you are ready to install the electric outlet. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for attaching the outlet to the box, ensuring a secure connection.
Finally, test your work. Once the outlet is installed, turn the power back on at the circuit breaker panel box and test the outlet to ensure it is functioning correctly.
By carefully following these wiring steps, you can safely and effectively install a plastic electrical outlet box, complying with electrical codes and creating a neat and secure finish.
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Frequently asked questions
Safety is key when working with electricity. Before you begin, turn off the power at your circuit breaker panel box and use a voltage tester to double-check that the power is off.
First, use a stud finder to make sure there are no joists or studs in the way. Then, hold the box up to the wall, use a torpedo level to make sure it is straight, and trace around the box with a pencil. Cut through the drywall paper with a utility knife, then cut the hole with a drywall saw, cutting to the inside of the pencil line to prevent fraying.
Plastic electrical boxes can be fragile, so when nailing the box, use light, careful blows with a hammer rather than heavy swings. Make sure to keep your blows perpendicular to the stud. If you strike too hard, you risk pushing the box backward along the face of the stud.
