Electrical box

[A_Spruce]

Originally Posted by exranger06

If screws inside a box aren't allowed, then explain how boxes like this exist:


Just because something exists doesn't mean that it's acceptable by industry or regulatory standards. I was also speaking specifically of the practice of running a drywall screw randomly through the side of a box to attach it, not to a manufactured item where the screws were reasonably well protected.

 

[exranger06]

Originally Posted by A_Spruce
Originally Posted by exranger06

If screws inside a box aren't allowed, then explain how boxes like this exist:


Just because something exists doesn't mean that it's acceptable by industry or regulatory standards. I was also speaking specifically of the practice of running a drywall screw randomly through the side of a box to attach it, not to a manufactured item where the screws were reasonably well protected.

That box is UL listed, as well as pretty much every handy box, so it IS acceptable by industry standards. The NEC also specifically says it's ok, as I pointed out. As for randomly running a drywall screw through a box: while it is hack, there is technically nothing in the NEC that prohibits it (that I've found). As long as it's securely supported (which leaves some room for interpretation) and there are no exposed threads of the screw inside the box, it's allowed.

 

[PimTac]

It depends on electrician or person doing the work. A oval head screw would be preferable to the cheap drywall screw. On the metal boxes I've seen nylon grommets installed in the cutouts on some installations and nothing on others.

It's this way with all trades. Some take pride in their work and it shows. Others just do a hack job.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted by exranger06
It's not just those boxes either. Look at any handy box:
Do you see any way to mount that box other than putting some screws through the back of it? These absolutely ARE allowed by the NEC. The only way someone could get shocked by having a screw inside the box is in the EXTREMELY remote chance of a conductor touching the screw, AND the screw is poking completely through a framing member, and someone touched it. The only way a short circuit could happen from a screw (in a plastic box) is if you had two conductors with insulation compromised and they were both touching the same screw head at the same time. Again, extremely remote chance.

Right, but the box is then tied to ground. If any insulation fault occurs, then the breaker gets tripped. NEC is (presumably, I'm assuming as I've had very little dealings with them) concerned with, what happens if a screw rips the insulation and then becomes live? you could have exposed electricity outside of the box.

Personally I'm all for the hack job. I won't pay others to do it, but I'll certainly do it myself, and accept that others would do likewise. A drywall screw or two never hurt nuthin'.

 

[A_Spruce]

Originally Posted by exranger06

That box is UL listed, as well as pretty much every handy box, so it IS acceptable by industry standards. The NEC also specifically says it's ok, as I pointed out. As for randomly running a drywall screw through a box: while it is hack, there is technically nothing in the NEC that prohibits it (that I've found). As long as it's securely supported (which leaves some room for interpretation) and there are no exposed threads of the screw inside the box, it's allowed.


I whole heartedly invite you to my neck of the woods where you may extol the virtues of running random screws through the side of an electrical box and quote NEC to the building inspector in support of your theories. And, be sure to use the same level of disrespect and disdain for others as you show in your posts here. You won't get far and you sure as heck won't get a passing inspection!

Better yet, stay where you are, nobody wants you around with that attitude you're sporting.

 

[exranger06]

I don't have an attitude, I never showed any disrespect towards anyone, and I don't know what your problem is. All I did was state facts, backed up by the NEC. I never condoned driving drywall screws through boxes; I agreed that that's hack work. But if someone did, nobody is going to get shocked and the building isn't gonna burn down. That's why the NEC doesn't specifically say you can't do it. But an inspector is free to be stricter than the NEC and fail an inspection over it.

 

[JLawrence08648]

If I'm doing sheetrock work around the box, I'll cut it out, otherwise I much prefer to screw it in to the stud than use old box work with the wings. I feel comfortable using screws because I wrap the device with electrical tape.

 

[P10crew]

Bingo!