box for phone / network / cable

msaeger

Here's probably a dumb question but is there a special box I should use for phone / network / cable or just a regular single gang box?

Oso954

They make low voltage frames and a wide assortment of devices and cover plates. The frames come in remodel or nail on.

Attached Images

 

Jim Port

The LV ring shown avoids issues with bend radius on the cables. Regular device boxes are too small to avoid sharp bends.

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Answers based on the National Electrical Code. Local amendments may apply. Check with your local building officials.

msaeger

What should I do to keep the wire out of the drywall guys way? I suppose I could just tape it to the stud until the sheetrock is up.

deverson

Use Romex staples and lightly staple them to the stud and to the bottom plate. When the drywall hacks are done cut in the LV ring reach in and pull outthe LV wires. Works great.

Everet

The Short answer is a regular old single gang box will work. The Orange ring another posted published is called an "old work ring". In other words that ring is used when your installing low-voltage wires into an already existing, complete wall.

Its unclear if you're in a "under construction" situation or "existing construction"

So, yes, a single gang box will work but you need the "correct" single gang box based on new v existing.

Keep these tips into account and here's a link that you might find to have some useful info http://allabouthomeelectronics.com/s...ed-wiring.html.

One posting wrote the drywallers will hack the lines when hanging sheet rock and he is very right. Its super frustrating to start to hang finish plates only to find your wires shredded and they will be shredded if you let em hang out of the box.

If its new construction by all means label the wires. Use painters tape and a marker if you have to. Make sure the wire and label are concealed and tape the box off, taping from the inside of the box so its easier to remove. If you don't then texture and paint will get all over the wires and you'll have more work to clean the mess from your floors not to mention tracing wires out if you have a lot of wires.

There are a variety of boxes you can use from: single gang to low voltage nail on to low voltage clamp/stick on. If you're going for cheap $ and easy use a single gang but if you want a cleaner look "consider" the other option.

PS: Coax "loves" to get caught up even in the big wire staple if you nail "to the bottom plate of the wall studs" so you really want to take care to do the nailing correct (leave a big gap so the wire slides very freely). What I do in that case is, depending on my application (ie: finish plates & multiple wires connected to one plate) is use open ended new work box and cut the wires to the length so they just touch the bottom plate and put the last staple 2" or so from the bottom plate but nailed into the stud

Jim Port

The person that posted said the LV rings were available in both new and old work construction.

A device box does not allow for the proper bend radius of the cables to be maintained and performance can be degraded.

If the drywallers are hacking your wires it sounds like someone did not properly dress the cables in the stud bay.

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Answers based on the National Electrical Code. Local amendments may apply. Check with your local building officials.

Everet

Correct. The photo posted however is of an old work box....was simply clarifying that for a lay person

Using a cheap single gang box will not cause a identified, appreciable "performance". Maybe its in writing somewhere but in practice it works and its alot less costly to cut the back of the box off if you have alot of wires. In terms of coax you can gently push the excess coax out the back.

Again, a lay person's question....therefore the info about "dressing" wires given its unknown whether project is new or existing....seemed like appropriate info to forward

msaeger

I got a box like the one posted but for new work. I just taped the three wires together and looped them around the top hole.

Hopefully they don't cut them they are are a few inches back from the front of the box.

Thanks for the help.