Metal Or Plastic Junction Box In Attic

Installing an electrical junction box or j box in the attic is not much different from installing a j box anywhere else.

Metal or plastic junction box in attic.

Home electrical wiring is the process of installing electrical wire to a location that will serve electrical devices or an appliance. If the box is to be used for a junction box only either should be fine. Generally do it yourself electricians may find metal boxes slightly more cumbersome to work with than plastic boxes. I keep a couple of those surveying flags in my truck specifically for marking boxes like this.

One very important component is the box where the wire will be installed. If a plastic box is ul listed as a fixture junction box then it is fine to use for either. Basically the rule is that all wire connections must be accessible. If you can see the wire nuts or electrical tape then it s a problem.

When i have to put a box in the attic i try to mount it above the insulation layer but code does allow it to be covered in insulation. In other words you can t cut a hole in a wall or ceiling and bury a junction box by covering it with drywall paneling tile or whatever. The wire connections should be completely enclosed inside these boxes. The junction box cover may have been removed or was never installed to begin with.

Junction boxes are basically standard electrical boxes that act as waypoints and connection centers for one or more circuits. While building codes usually allow junction boxes in attics the codes impose installation standards to prevent electrical fires and accidental shock. Either plastic or metal is ok. A junction box is usually a plastic or metal box that contains the electrical wire connections.

The same basic national electric code or nec rules apply. Plastic electrical boxes plastic made off polyvinyl chloride or pvc is fast becoming the standard material for electrical boxes especially for do it yourself work.