Beatrice Lang
The color of electrical boxes is not just a matter of aesthetics. While blue electrical boxes are often heavy-duty and made of plastic, they also indicate that the box has surge suppression and protection against transient voltage spikes. Orange receptacles indicate isolated ground receptacles, useful for removing humming and noise, while red is associated with fire alarm-related circuits. In the EU, cables are typically brown, blue, and green/yellow, with blue being used for neutral wires. Gray electrical boxes, on the other hand, tend to be more brittle and less sturdy than their blue counterparts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Material | Plastic (polyvinyl chloride, or PVC) |
| Strength | Blue boxes are stronger than gray boxes |
| Brittleness | Gray boxes are more brittle than blue boxes |
| Installation | Blue boxes have a built-in "retainer clip" |
| Staples | Blue boxes should be stapled within 8" |
| Nails | Plastic boxes come with pre-attached nails for nailing into studs |
| Cost | Plastic boxes are cheaper than metal boxes |
| Workability | Plastic boxes are easier to work with than metal boxes |
| Weight | Plastic boxes are lightweight |
| Temperature | PVC can melt at high temperatures |
| Conductivity | PVC does not conduct electricity |
| Grounding | Metal boxes are grounded, plastic boxes are not |
| Safety | Metal boxes can have sharp edges that can injure hands |
| Reusability | Blue boxes can be reused, gray boxes cannot |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic electrical boxes are lightweight, cheap, and simple to work with
Plastic electrical boxes are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and have several advantages over metal boxes. They are lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to work with, making them ideal for do-it-yourself projects. Holes can be easily punched out in the back or sides of plastic boxes, and they often come with built-in clamps for wires, reducing the overall cost of the project.
The colour of plastic electrical boxes, whether blue or grey, is largely a matter of manufacturer preference. Blue plastic electrical boxes were introduced in the 1980s by the manufacturer Carlon, and they have since become a standard option. Grey boxes are produced by manufacturers such as Gardner Bender and P&S.
The choice between blue and grey plastic electrical boxes may depend on specific features. Blue boxes are known to be slightly stronger and more durable than grey boxes. They also have a built-in "retainer clip", which is not present in grey boxes. Grey boxes, on the other hand, are preferred by some electricians due to the presence of threaded "quick-clicks" and screw holes, which are absent in blue boxes.
Plastic boxes, in general, are more lightweight and easier to work with than metal boxes. Metal boxes are stronger and less likely to bend, warp, twist, or crush. They are often used for mounting heavy items like ceiling fans or light fixtures. However, metal boxes can be more cumbersome for DIYers due to the need for supplementary clamps and the risk of sharp edges causing injuries.
Overall, plastic electrical boxes, whether blue or grey, offer a cost-effective and convenient option for electrical work, especially for those doing their own installations or remodelling.
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Metal boxes are stronger and more difficult to bend, twist, or crush
Plastic electrical boxes are available in different colours, including blue and grey. Blue plastic boxes are often heavy-duty and stronger than their grey counterparts, which are more brittle. However, metal boxes are even stronger and more durable than plastic ones, regardless of their colour. Metal boxes are virtually impossible to bend, twist, or crush, making them ideal for mounting heavy items such as ceiling fans or light fixtures.
Metal boxes are made of high-stress materials, which are often stronger than the work materials built around them. They are also useful when using metal-sheathed wiring, as the contact between the metal sheathing and the box completes the grounding contact. This is a significant safety concern, as using metal wiring with plastic boxes without proper grounding is highly dangerous.
Metal boxes are more challenging to work with than plastic ones. They have sharp edges that can cause injuries, and their knockouts can be difficult to remove. Additionally, metal boxes often require supplementary clamps, which increase the overall cost of the project. Plastic boxes, on the other hand, are lightweight, cheap, and simple to work with. Holes can easily be punched out in the back or sides of plastic boxes, and many come with built-in clamps for wires.
Despite the advantages of plastic boxes, metal boxes remain the standard in some places, especially for residential use. Metal boxes are also easier to replace if needed, as changing the size of a plastic box can be messy and involve significant drywall destruction. For these reasons, some electricians prefer metal boxes over plastic ones, even though they require more care during installation.
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Blue plastic boxes are more resistant to weather changes
Blue plastic electrical boxes are manufactured by Carlon, a company that has been selling electrical PVC since the 1970s. Blue boxes are typically chosen for their strength and durability, as well as their ease of use.
One source notes that blue plastic boxes are more resistant to weather changes. This is in comparison to fiberglass, which can degrade and turn to dust when exposed to sunlight and heat. Plastic boxes are also more resistant to weather changes than metal boxes, which can be dangerous if exposed to high temperatures as they can bend, warp, twist, or crush.
Blue plastic boxes are also more durable than grey plastic boxes, which are more brittle. Blue boxes are stronger and can be reused, whereas grey boxes will fall apart if cut or adjusted.
Blue plastic boxes are also chosen for their ease of use. They are lightweight, cheap, and simple to work with. Holes are easy to punch out in the back or sides, and many come with built-in clamps for wires, reducing the overall cost of the project.
Overall, blue plastic electrical boxes are a popular choice for electricians due to their resistance to weather changes, durability, and ease of use.
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Grey plastic boxes are more brittle
Grey plastic electrical boxes are considered more brittle than blue plastic electrical boxes. This brittleness makes them harder to work with, especially when compared to blue plastic boxes, which are considered to be stronger and even sturdier.
The grey boxes are said to fall apart when attempting to cut nails out and screw through the sides. In contrast, blue boxes can withstand similar procedures and be reused. The blue plastic boxes are also considered heavy-duty, providing more room and not requiring grounding.
The grey boxes' brittleness may be attributed to the type of plastic used in their manufacturing. Different types of plastics have varying levels of strength and durability. For example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a common plastic used in electrical boxes, can melt at high temperatures, demonstrating its limitations in certain conditions.
It is important to note that the colour of electrical boxes may vary depending on the manufacturer. While blue boxes are often associated with the manufacturer Carlon, grey boxes can be found from different brands, such as Gardner Bender. The colour may also indicate the intended use or specific features of the box, such as the presence or absence of certain clips or clamps.
Despite the brittleness of grey plastic electrical boxes, they still have their applications. For example, they can be used with metal-sheathed wiring, also known as armored BX cable, to complete the grounding contact. However, it is crucial to ensure proper grounding measures are taken to avoid dangerous situations.
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Metal boxes are better for mounting heavy items
Electrical boxes come in two main types: plastic and metal. While plastic boxes are often preferred by DIY enthusiasts due to their ease of use and lower cost, metal boxes offer several advantages, especially when it comes to mounting heavy items.
Metal boxes are significantly stronger and more durable than plastic boxes. They are virtually impossible to bend, warp, twist, or crush, making them ideal for mounting heavy items such as ceiling fans or heavy light fixtures. Their strength and rigidity also make them compatible with heavy-duty screws, providing an extra secure attachment to a stud, which is essential for safety.
Additionally, metal boxes can be used with Romex or NM wiring, although proper grounding must be ensured. Metal boxes serve as natural grounding points for metal-sheathed wires, providing an important safety feature.
Metal boxes are also more versatile. They can accommodate a wider range of cables, including both plastic- and metallic-sheathed cables, whereas plastic boxes are generally limited to plastic-sheathed cable. Metal boxes can also be ganged together, creating a single, larger box to manage a ton of wires, which is useful for heavy-duty applications.
While metal boxes offer superior strength and durability, they do have some drawbacks. They are generally more difficult to work with due to their sharp edges and challenging knockout removal. Metal boxes are also more expensive than plastic alternatives.
In summary, metal boxes are better for mounting heavy items due to their superior strength, durability, versatility, and grounding capabilities. However, they come at a higher cost and can be more challenging to work with than plastic boxes.
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Frequently asked questions
Blue electrical boxes are often heavy-duty and made of plastic. They offer more room and do not need to be grounded. Blue receptacle units also have surge suppression and protection against transient voltage spikes.
Grey electrical boxes are made of different plastics and tend to be more brittle than blue boxes.
Yes, electrical boxes also come in black, orange, red, and yellow. In hospitals, it is common to have a colour scheme of red, orange, blue, and white. However, the colours of receptacles are usually purely aesthetic unless designated to serve a specific purpose.
