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#20272 01/12/03 06:27 PM
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 11
B
Member
I was wondering what type of wall box most of the people on this board like to use. I still would rather use steel.

#20273 01/12/03 06:34 PM
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 210
S
Member
I use plastic up to a 3 gang, 4 gang and over I go to metal. For basic residiential it is easier to use a plastic nail on as you don't have to bond it and it attaches to a stud a little quicker.

#20274 01/12/03 09:03 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,233
H
Member
In NJ here for the res. type jobs. I see mostly plastic. For the commercial/ind. jobs, metal. I my self would use plastic, but I always used metal for light fixtures.

#20275 01/13/03 08:48 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,392
S
Member
a mix, mainly plastic but metal for area's that plastic won't cut it

#20276 01/13/03 12:59 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 134
L
Member
bfdpoc221...i use both types. but it depends on the framing.(wood or metal studs)new work res./and all metal in comm. there is an advance in using plastic. (1) the cost per box,(2) no need to ground the box.

#20277 01/13/03 01:54 PM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,691
S
Member
Here in New York City it seems you're required to use metal boxes by default, since use of armored cable is apparently a code requirement.

Although I've seen the blue plastic boxes for sale at the Home Depot...what they're used in I don't know. Everything I've seen/dealt with has always been metal (which I prefer since they're much sturdier - plastic always can crack or the screwhole strip out if you over-tighten).

You cannot use armored cable with plastic boxes, only NM, right?

#20278 01/13/03 03:59 PM
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 582
R
Ron Offline
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With the adoption of the NEC 1996 and the NYC ammendments as of January 2003, I do not see any general restrictions to using NM in non-commercial dwellings in NYC.


Ron
#20279 01/13/03 04:44 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,381
Likes: 7
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Plastic for resi, when we do it.
Metal on commercial, with MC cable.
IMHO, NMC does not belong in comm buildings.
John


John
#20280 01/13/03 10:11 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
I
Moderator
bfdpoc221, We use metal 4" sq deeps with plaster rings and mounted with Caddy H3s for almost everything.

I am with ya Hotline1 We build a lot of 80,000 to 100,000 sq ft supermarkets and its 90% NMC. I hate to do it. When the local AHJ prohibits it we get about a $50K change order for MC


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
#20281 01/13/03 10:22 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,381
Likes: 7
Member
Iwire:
Curious; in the smkts, where do you run NMC?
They build with plenum ceilings???
What about occupancy??

You said..."a 50K change order when the AHJ prohibits it"; does the AHJ catch it at Plan Review, or after you have it installed??

BTW, what area are you from/in??
John


John
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