Metal Vs Plastic Electrical Boxes | Avoid This Common DIY Mistake

Comments · 1.5K

• EV

  @EverydayHomeRepairs · 1 year ago · pinned

  All My Favorite DIY Electrical Tools: <a href="https://geni.us/GYnAhy4">https://geni.us/GYnAhy4</a><br><br>DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission.

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• KN

  @knowledgeispower6192 · 3 years ago

  I use metal boxes in basements, attics, and garages. I wrap receptacles, and switches in a metal box with electrical tape before installing.

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• D.

  @d.e.b.b5788 · 2 years ago

  As a child, my dad always made me watch him working around the house, so, as he put it, I would know how to fix things when I grew up. Dad was a custodian in a public school; had something called a black seal fireman&apos;s certification, and had learned all sorts of electrical, plumbing, and construction skills from the &apos;real&apos; professionals during his lifetime, because he watched them, when they came to work on the systems at his school. It makes me so happy, to know that he really did know what he was doing, and how important it was to him, to make sure that I learned how to do things the right way. I watch your videos, and remember my dad, teaching me how to do so many things correctly and up to code, even though he wasn&apos;t a professional electrician. So I thank you, and I thank my dad, for the knowledge that you both pass along &nbsp;to me, so I won&apos;t burn my house down.

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• SC

  @ScienceOfThePS3 · 3 years ago

  Keep in mind that some jurisdictions require metal boxes and EMT per local code, such as Chicago and the surrounding area. &nbsp;Always check with your municipality on what they allow!

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• LD

  @LDoctorKC · 3 years ago

  I still like the elegance of a metal box. They make plastic inserts for metal boxes allowing you to push in the wire.

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• RO

  @robertjames-life4768 · 2 years ago

  Re-wiring &nbsp;one whole side of my house in MC and all metal boxes. We’re in the country where critters can find their way into your walls and ceiling- they can try to chew through MC but their teeth won’t last long!

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• GA

  @garyf8229 · 3 years ago

  The reason new work boxes don’t have cable restraints is code requires the Romex to be secured within 12 inches if the box. Since this is impossible with old work or cut in boxes the need for the cable restraints in the box

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• GE

  @GeekWireless · 3 years ago

  What I do with metal boxes is make the pigtails to 7&quot; to allow me to wrap the bare ground wire around the green screw in the box; then, rest of the bare wire is attached to the ground screw to the outlet ground screw. <br>That way you do not need the additional green pigtail and the Wago splice

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• DE

  @deanrhodenizer938 · 2 years ago

  When I use metal boxes, I strip the Romex a bit longer. Then I wrap the bare wire around the grounding screw before connecting it to the outlet. When I have two pieces of Romex in the box I either setup up a pigtail arrangement, if not I wrap the longer bare wires around the grounding screws (2) and then twist them tightly together for about an inch and a half and snip one off before connecting it to the ground terminal on the outlet.

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• RO

  @robertmcconnell3788 · 3 years ago

  The problem is not the box but knowledge of the code. There are also metal boxes that do not need the mud ring that are not handiboxes.

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• LA

  @larrydaniels6532 · 2 years ago

  Really well-done! This should help anyone wiring in their own home. It was a concise plan to help overcome the fears of metal versus plastic. I&apos;ll admit I didn&apos;t catch the problem with the metal box, the outlet is grounded via the metal strap, however if you are working on this outlet it is not grounded until it is screwed to the box. So wiring the outlet ( without &nbsp;the grounding pigtail) &nbsp;to work on it means the &nbsp;potential for energizing the metal box would exist prior to screwing it in place and if it is ever unscrewed to rewire. Use those grounding pigtails!

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• RI

  @Rickmakes · 3 years ago

  If you have tile/backsplash an adjustable box is a great option. You just turn a screw to align the box to the exact finished face of the wall.

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