I never address ed this myself before, so new to me…
Our home is a raised foundation with solid masonry wall so all outlets around the exterior walls are in the floor. The floors are a 1×8 diag rough floor with a 3″ T&G fir floor. On top was old linoleum and we are now carpeting many of the areas in the down stairs. Most of these outlet are metal single and double remodel boxes flush with the wood floor.
Question is can these still be used when carpets or should the boxes be replaced with something else and/or add a 1/2″ extension ring? If so any, suggestions on what to use???
As always, thank you. -brian
Replies
Assuming the contractor use real floor boxes ... and not some BS=engineered cheap stuff ... than there will be a means within the box to adjust it for different floor levels.
That is why I'm asking. These are not true floor boxes and I don't really want to redo the boxes. I just wanted to know if I could use an extension ring to adjust the height for the carpet.
Plus, them floor boxes are not even close to being inexpensive. $35 each plus the cover plate..
I have even thought of using the new Carlon plastic adjustable wall boxes that have the adjusting screw to move the box in a and out. Don't Know if it's legal to use these. See below
Speaking of Carlon .... they make some very affordable ($15-20)floor boxes. Use them. Had they been used the first time, you would be able to adjust. Ordinary boxes have not been evaluated for excluding water, dirt, etc from the box during normal custodial tasks. Real floor boxes are also designed to survive when the 200# lady steps on them in her new heels.
Just came across this on Carlons's site
http://www.carlon.com/scripts/emAlbum.cgi?cmd=show_thumbs&path=Floor%20Boxes%20and%20Accessories&tn=1
this what i had in mind unless something better comes along
Floor boxes are designed, rated and labeled as such. Sure, any box (or thing for that matter) can be mounted in the floor, but perhaps you need to clarify what you are trying to accomplish. Meet code? Have to use rated boxes/ covers. As noted here there are a variety of concerns these boxes are designed to meet, including strength and contaminate infiltration prevention (i.e. dust and moisture resistant covers). Can you use other boxes? Sure, but you expose yourself to risks that you should recognize and acknowledge. My $.02.
I used these and have been very happy:
http://www.wiremold.com/www/commercial/products/index_family.asp?major_system_id=3
Scott.
Always remember those first immortal words that Adam said to Eve, “You’d better stand back, I don’t know how big this thing’s going to get.”