I was wondering what type of wall box most of the people on this board like to use. I still would rather use steel.

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.

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.

a mix, mainly plastic but metal for area's that plastic won't cut it

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.

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?

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.

Plastic for resi, when we do it.
Metal on commercial, with MC cable.
IMHO, NMC does not belong in comm buildings.
John

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

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

I can't imagine a 100,000 sq.ft.bldg.wired with type nm.It would be emt here.

John, we do this in MA and RI
Not a plenum ceiling, hard duct returns.

Per job spec No NMC visible, EMT in mechanical spaces.

But pop a ceiling tile and all you see is NMC, 10/3 NMC = 30 amp 480 volt feed to RTU

If you're asking about "Places of Assembly"

It does not seem to qualify. ????

At plan review, some towns in MA have Bylaws you have to follow. This is all settled by the customer's lawyers. They build 18 to 25 new every year so they know the ropes, and how to bully small Towns

"Don't Give us a hard time we will go to the next Town over"

Bob

Iwire:
Thanks for the prompt reply.
Over here (NJ) that would not fly. If the NMC was on the plans, the job would not be approved. As to the "bully" thing, that wouldn't work either.
Take care.
John

txsparky, unfortunately we must bid to compete with the other ECs.

The time frame would prohibit a full pipe job, if they wanted it. With NMC or MC it takes a crew of 15 to 20 to get done in the 3 to 4 months we get from start to finish.

Isn't NM cable also more prone to be chewed through by rodents?

I wonder if that's why NYC demanded MC cable, since we do have a big rodent problem, especially with older buildings.

That would be a big factor for me to choose MC for all applications over NM.

Why is NM used for resi? Is it cost?

II have never NMC of modern construction chewed by rodents, the old stuff yes.

Cost, yes, I do not see prices that often but I think NMC is 1/4 to 1/3 the price of MC
I am sure someone here could be more accurate with price. You can install it much faster; use plastic boxes if you want.

But I would rather use MC in most applications

As far as timber-framed houses go, plastic is your only real option over here.
But with concrete or brick walls, we tend to use the steel type, as these are a lot easier to use with conduit.

Being a Commercial Installer / Designer, I rarely get the chance to use any PVC Outlet Boxes. Only in some underground floor box situations do I deal with PVC boxes (or on a Custom House).

So, for my installs, mark me as a Steel Box user.

Scott s.e.t.

SvenNYC
The resi guys like NMC because of the following:
It's "CODE"
Cost
Easier to install
Utilize PVC boxes (no grounding of boxes)
PVC boxes are cheaper then metal
MNC is "lighter" then MC
Your hands don't get as dirty with NMC as MC

Resi builders utilize the most economical CODE COMPLIANT wiring> (And Fixtures)

Time to have dinner.
John
Edited at 9:15Pm; I was hungry and addressed it to Iwire by mistake.
John

[This message has been edited by HotLine1 (edited 01-14-2003).]

HotLine1, It was SvenNYC who asked

"Why is NM used for resi? Is it cost?"

Bob