(Censored) blue plastic electrical boxes!!!!

[JDgreen227]

Yesterday I spend an afternoon helping a buddy rewire a bedroom and install more outlets, and in the process we replaced the existing aluminum switch and outlet boxes. His choice was to use the blue plastic boxes with mounting ears and the integral cable clamps at the back that you pry out with a screwdriver. Excuse my language, but I have never seen such a p*** poor, half a** method to secure wiring in a new box. The clamps cut up wiring insulation badly and are a huge pain in the butt, especially when they are used for replacement boxes, and when you cannot staple the new wiring to the studs because the drywall is installed, the worthless clamps let wiring inside the box flop around and make it next to impossible to connect anything, ESPECIALLY the ground wires. Give me a METAL BOX with the screw in cable clamps anytime...whoever designed these stupid blue boxes should be strung up by his thumbs. One of the most worthless products I have ever seen in my life!!! Thanks for listening.

 

[tow653]

You don't pry out the wire clamp part,friction holds wire in place,if you pry out the tab,nothing to hold wire.

 

[JDgreen227]

You don't pry out the wire clamp part,friction holds wire in place,if you pry out the tab,nothing to hold wire.

The d*** tabs didn't get removed, but they have such strong tension and with the sharp edges they cut through the plastic casing on the wire!!!! Trying to move the wire inside the box results in even more damage. Probably the most stupid design I have ever seen.

 

[lilranch2001]

I have never liked the blue boxes myself, but most homes builders use them anymore it seems

 

[HillStreet]

JD

Are you pushing the wire and the tab from outside the box into the box? That should take very little effort, and the tabs snug the wire insulation just right so that it does not pull out.

Plastic is the way to go. Metal boxes require mechanical connectors and grounding screws. I am 61 years old and more than a little old fashioned when it comes to construction, so you're talkin' to a brother, but this is one area that can make your life easier. Give it a chance.

 

[murphy1244]

I never had any problems with the Boxes. Just push the wire in, cut and strip.

 

[k0ua]

I never had any problems with the Boxes. Just push the wire in, cut and strip.

I have to say, I never have either, and I have used a bunch of them, both the "new work" (the kind you nail to a stud) and the "old work" boxes that have the sheetrock ears. Maybe the brand JD had were not properly made or something.?:confused3:

 

[JDgreen227]

I have to say, I never have either, and I have used a bunch of them, both the "new work" (the kind you nail to a stud) and the "old work" boxes that have the sheetrock ears. Maybe the brand JD had were not properly made or something.?:confused3:

May be have been not properly made because it required a LOT of effort to push the tab into the box, the boxes were the "old work" type with the ears. A name brand...(Carlon)

 

[grsthegreat]

those blue boxes are H depot and lowes crap. Im an electrical contractor and steer clear of them. We use Bower and Raco boxes for romex..there the cats meow.

those blue pieces of crap also explode if you miss nailing them in when its 30F outdoors...the bower & raco dont

 

[teejk]

May be have been not properly made because it required a LOT of effort to push the tab into the box, the boxes were the "old work" type with the ears. A name brand...(Carlon)

"Old work" boxes...the tabs are "one way" (that is the "clamp") so the wire has to be inserted before you set the box. A hit with a screw driver is needed from outside to break the tiny fingers on the tabs. I wonder if the sheathing on the wire was bad? Romex outer shield is usually pretty hardy and can get pulled through rough cuts on new construction with only a scratch (you still have the insulation on the wires themselves). My biggest issue with old work boxes is not being able to clamp them flush but that is a function of bad drywall (which is usually a function of other problems that you don't want to get into).