Plastic junction boxes cannot be used with metal conduit, which is required in various installations, such as outdoors or when wiring runs are exposed (not concealed inside wall or ceiling cavities).
Is it OK to use a plastic junction box?
Though PVC can melt when overheated, it does not conduct electricity like metal does. Use plastic boxes when: There are non-metallic (NM) cables leading in or out of the box. Metal-sheathed wiring relies on bonding with the metal electric box for grounding and should not be used in plastic boxes.
Can electrical boxes be exposed?
Mistake: Exposed combustible material | Electrical boxes must be flush to the wall surface if the wall surface is a combustible material. Boxes recessed behind combustible materials like wood present a fire hazard because the wood is left exposed to potential heat and sparks.
Can you use plastic electrical boxes on metal studs?
You can use plastic boxes with metal studs, but they must be the kind of boxes designed for metal studs. Don’t use boxes designed for wood studs. It is allowable in most jurisdictions, however there is a safety consideration. If you use an plastic box, the steel stud assembly is not bonded to ground.
Should a junction box be metal or plastic?
In general, he recommends plastic boxes for switches and receptacles and metal boxes for light fixtures. Metal boxes are required when the existing wiring in the home is metal clad cable and must be bonded to the ground wire.
Why do junction boxes need to be exposed?
A: It is important to cover an electrical junction box no matter where it’s located. … With several wires in one box, the heat generated can be multiplied. Not only does the cover protect the wiring from accidental human contact, it also prevents the spread of a fire should the wires overheat.
Can I use an outlet box as a junction box?
During remodeling projects, you may need to convert an existing plug-in outlet into a junction box, perhaps if you’re going to build cabinets or closets in the area. You must keep the junction box cover accessible, but it’s dangerous to simply leave an outlet in a place difficult to reach.