Steel stud electrical box flex

n0c7 · 10-29-2012, 07:31 PM

It's been a few years since I've done electrical with steel stud's in residential. I'm about to do a job and I remember way back people adding a backing support of drywall or scrap 2x4's so the boxes don't flex.

If the wall is to be drywalled, I don't believe the box needs to be supported behind if the receptacles and switches are face mounted onto the drywall. Correct or no?

mpoulton · 10-29-2012, 09:15 PM

As long as there are drywall screws into the metal stud near the box, it shouldn't flex noticeably.

k_buz · 10-29-2012, 09:17 PM

These are what is commonly used.

http://meproducts.net/products?subcategory=G26

J. V. · 10-30-2012, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n0c7

It's been a few years since I've done electrical with steel stud's in residential. I'm about to do a job and I remember way back people adding a backing support of drywall or scrap 2x4's so the boxes don't flex.

If the wall is to be drywalled, I don't believe the box needs to be supported behind if the receptacles and switches are face mounted onto the drywall. Correct or no?

It is a good idea and a requirement that the box be mounted securely/properly.
And I have seen many installations where no extra support was provided and the boxes were solid. The conduit was assisting in supporting the boxes. Some inspectors will flag this.
I would use some of the metal framing laying around to make a bracket to mount the boxes to. Or buy some of the brackets shown above.
If the metal is gone, use a piece of 2x4. Drywall is not suggested for anything but its intended purpose.

n0c7 · 10-30-2012, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. V.

It is a good idea and a requirement that the box be mounted securely/properly.
And I have seen many installations where no extra support was provided and the boxes were solid. The conduit was assisting in supporting the boxes. Some inspectors will flag this.
I would use some of the metal framing laying around to make a bracket to mount the boxes to. Or buy some of the brackets shown above.
If the metal is gone, use a piece of 2x4. Drywall is not suggested for anything but its intended purpose.

What's the big deal especially if the plugs/switches are face mounted to the drywall? It's never going to flex. I can see if the hole is cut too large and you have to bend the ears and install the plug/switch directly to the box but if not it seems like a wasted effort.