How to install an electrical mounting box

Protect your electrics with a mounting box. This guide tells you the best way to install one.

Level of difficulty

Level 2 – Intermediate

What you need

• Dust sheet
• Electrical mounting box
• Power drill
• Chisel
• Vacuum cleaner
• Mastic sealant
• Caulking gun
• Pencil
• Wall plug
• Screw driver
• Screws

The steps to follow

Note:
An electrical mounting box can either be attached directly to a wall or to a base plate on a wall or ceiling.

Surface mount the electrical mounting box

1. Cover your work area with a dust sheet.
2. Position the mounting box on the wall and mark the position of the fixing points.
3. Drill holes with a power drill and insert wall plugs.
4. Pass the wiring and cables to the back of the box.
5. Secure the mounting box to the wall with screws.

Flush-mounting the electrical mounting box

1. Place a mounting box against the wall and mark its outline on the wall.
2. Cut a hole in the wall to allocate the cables and mounting box. Use a power drill to make the hole and use a chisel to chop away the masonry.
3. Cut a chase to allocate the cable to the mounting box.
4. Fit the mounting box in the recess you've just made.
5. Mark the fixing hole on the wall of the recess and drill the holes.
6. Insert wall plugs and screw the mounting box to the wall.
7. Pass the cables in the box through to the chase.
8. Finish off by applying mastic sealant around the box.

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