[eblend]

Hi All,

I am working on a new construction house with Hardie board siding, and trying to decide on my outdoor electrical boxes. My original plan was to install a block with proper flashing, and then install these expandable boxes.

My buddy has these on his new construction home:

But then I came across these an Arlington's IN BOX, which are CSA certified (I am in Canada) and can be installed recessed, and without a block.

I much prefer this clean look over the blocks and flashing, but I am wondering if anyone has had any experience with these? My main concern is the flashing requirements over here for building penetrations.

I believe the IN BOX would qualify as self-draining/flashed cover right, and be in line with what is presented in this PowerPoint (further descriptions at the bottom)

 

[MTVhike]

I don't know Canadian code, but in the US, you need to be able to close the box cover with your device plugged in.

 

[dcwired]

The 2nd one is nice.
It would be good if you could have the carpenter determine exactly where the siding will land so the box could be on the flat surface. Then a regular box could be used and have an in-use cover. Perhaps the sheetrock inside could be left off in that area until the siding is installed.

 

[C'est Moi]

I don't know Canadian code, but in the US, you need to be able to close the box cover with your device plugged in.

The box is expandable. This is what it looks like expanded

I used an arlington box on a new home in a brick wall. See the little nubs at the top where the cover pivots, well that is where it broke before the job was complete. Fortunately the masons were still there so they cut out the brick and we installed our standard deep metal box. There was no way to replace the broken nub without replace the entire box.

I am sure that was unusual and probably roughed up a bit by some sub contractor trying to get power before the job was over.

I like the block look or even easier is to turn the box horizontally and down enough to allow the cover to open and still be within one board.

 

[seharper]

My concern is, what happens 15 years down the road when one of those boxes has deteriorated, and you need to replace it? You go to the store and just buy another one, and surprise they discontinued it 4 years ago. So now you can't get a replacement that is the same size, and have to do sidewall work to fit a different box.

I'm also never a fan of things that increase the risk of leaks or level of maintenance needed to prevent leaks. Building materials aren't what they used to be, and it doesn't take a lot of moisture exposure to start degrading stuff beyond repair.

 

[eblend]

So it's pretty obvious on how to install the IN BOX model as it's all in one, but what is the standard install process for a basic outdoor plug? I have done many plugs before on the interior, but never really had to install one from scratch on the outside. Right now my house is house wrapped. Is it just a matter of cutting a hole in the wrapping and sheeting, shoving a box into it, and then installing a block over the top, or am I missing something? Perhaps I need a box extension to extend the box to the depth of the mounting block...? Are there no requirements for making it weathertight besides of the outdoor cover? Feels like there should be some flashing between the box and the block. I spent a ton of time on YouTube to see how people do this on new construction but didn't find anything really useful. For the most part people seem to be using blue boxes that are designed for retrofit and using them to hold the plug and the siding block together using the butterfly wings. I feel like this is very simple....but somehow feels wrong to just cut into the house wrap and install a basic box...

EDIT: My buddy found a pic of when they did their house. Guess it is just as simple as installing a box and cutting a hole and all flashing is done on the block itself.