4-gang switch boxes

[don_resqcapt19]

Just my 2 cents, a 4 or 5 or 6 gang box will look infinitely better than stacking multiple 2 or 3 gang boxes. Now if you cannot fit it that's a different story.

I agree, and for that in my house, I used 3 1/2" deep gangable switch boxes...no premium cost and plenty of room with a 3 1/2" deep box....the only issue is lead time for the cover plates as I refuse to use the gangable cover plates.

 

[hillbilly1]

I had one house where the homeowner had three exit doors to the back porch, and wanted three ways and four ways to control everything out there. Fans, light kits, wall lights and the room light at each location. Had to use super deep gangable cut-in boxes because I couldn’t find a deep enough four gang plastic box. This was in North Carolina, and yes, the inspector counted every wire! All #12!

 

[SceneryDriver]

I've noticed that boxes start getting incredibly expensive after you go to 5-gang and beyond.
It looks like they make a nice margin on 9-gangs:

1-5/8 in. Deep, Nine Gang Multi-Gang Box

1-5/8IN MultiGang Box 9G

www.garvinindustries.com

Granted, they probably don't sell too many of those and so the fixed costs may be high. Also, the customers that need a nine-gang can probably afford it.

How do you actually mount devices in the box? 9-gang mud ring?


ScenreyDriver

 

[synchro]

How do you actually mount devices in the box? 9-gang mud ring?

Yes.
The 3/4" raised mud rung is expensive enough, but sit down before you check out what the 1/2" one costs:

Nine Gang Multi-Gang Box Cover, Cover, 3/4 in. Raised

Dev Rng 3/4INRaised 9G

www.garvinindustries.com

Nine Gang Multi-Gang Box Cover, Cover, 1/2 in. Raised

Dev Rng 1/2INRaised 9G

www.garvinindustries.com

 

[sameguy]

1st switch out side lights
2nd entry light
3rd light into ? hallway, stairs, room, depends, progress of coming from work or grocery store.
4th left over

 

[Fred B]

Yes.
The 3/4" raised mud rung is expensive enough, but sit down before you check out what the 1/2" one costs:

Nine Gang Multi-Gang Box Cover, Cover, 3/4 in. Raised

Dev Rng 3/4INRaised 9G

www.garvinindustries.com

Nine Gang Multi-Gang Box Cover, Cover, 1/2 in. Raised

Dev Rng 1/2INRaised 9G

www.garvinindustries.com

Wow, that might be enough for customer to say "go ahead an stack three sets of 3G instead. Biggest I've done is 6G and that was a bear to get a cover plate, even well before covid, couldn't imagine the lead time for one now.

 

[sameguy]

Key pad, it is 2020, Alexa,

 

[junkhound]

The 3/4" raised mud rung is expensive enough, but sit down before you check out what the 1/2" one costs:

sit down is right - about that time, take yer metal chop saw to 3 triples and tack'em together with wire feed. They are listed, right?

 

[electrofelon]

Wow, that might be enough for customer to say "go ahead an stack three sets of 3G instead. Biggest I've done is 6G and that was a bear to get a cover plate, even well before covid, couldn't imagine the lead time for one now.

Between the box and the mud ring, gangable gem boxes or masonary boxes are starting to look quite appealing

 

[kwired]

Wow, that might be enough for customer to say "go ahead an stack three sets of 3G instead. Biggest I've done is 6G and that was a bear to get a cover plate, even well before covid, couldn't imagine the lead time for one now.

How about a custom box and plate I know of that is in a church built in mid 60's. Don't remember exactly how many switches but lets say there were 12, but it was two rows of six switches. On top of that the cover plate is brass with engraving telling what each switch is for.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

sit down is right - about that time, take yer metal chop saw to 3 triples and tack'em together with wire feed. They are listed, right?

Boxes that are not in wet locations are not required to be listed

 

[kwired]

Boxes that are not in wet locations are not required to be listed

I believe non metallic boxes have to be listed in any location, but metallic doesn't if not in wet location.

 

[Frank DuVal]

1st switch out side lights
2nd entry light
3rd light into ? hallway, stairs, room, depends, progress of coming from work or grocery store.
4th left over

Typical:
1. Porch light
2. Pole light
3. Hall light
4. Stairway light

or

1. Porch light
2. Carriage lights by door
3. Hall light
4. Stairway light

or

1. Carriage lights by door
2. Porch light
3. Porch Fan
4. Hall light

You get the idea, lots of lights on new houses.....

I agree, automation control should eliminate these larger boes, but not yet in my work....

 

[sameguy]

Yep, my point exactly. I've wired a few.

 

[LarryFine]

By exterior entrance doors, my opinion is the inside light switch should be the first one you reach. Here's my reasoning:

When coming in, if it's dark, the first switch should be the one that lights where you're going, not where you're leaving.

For inside rooms like dens, living rooms, and bedrooms, main lights, then switched receptacles, then fan light, then fan.

Elsewhere, larger rooms, and commercial spaces, I try to match the switch positions to coincide with the light positions.

 

[McLintock]

By exterior entrance doors, my opinion is the inside light switch should be the first one you reach. Here's my reasoning:

When coming in, if it's dark, the first switch should be the one that lights where you're going, not where you're leaving.

For inside rooms like dens, living rooms, and bedrooms, main lights, then switched receptacles, then fan light, then fan.

Elsewhere, larger rooms, and commercial spaces, I try to match the switch positions to coincide with the light positions.

I do the same thing


“ shoot low boys their riding shetland ponies”

 

[Little Bill]

I do the same thing


“ shoot low boys their riding shetland ponies”

So do I by my reasoning. But I usually ask the HO what they want, if they don't care I use this method.

 

[James L]

By exterior entrance doors, my opinion is the inside light switch should be the first one you reach. Here's my reasoning:

When coming in, if it's dark, the first switch should be the one that lights where you're going, not where you're leaving.

I think opposite, but for different reason.

The switch position coincides with the light position if the switch closest to the door controls what's on the other side of the door.

Suppose switches are on the right side ofvthe entry door, left switch would be outside lights.

If you were to move those switches around the jamb, into the door opening, outside is to the left. So the left switch should be for those outside lights

 

[Little Bill]

I think opposite, but for different reason.

The switch position coincides with the light position if the switch closest to the door controls what's on the other side of the door.

Suppose switches are on the right side ofvthe entry door, left switch would be outside lights.

If you were to move those switches around the jamb, into the door opening, outside is to the left. So the left switch should be for those outside lights

You should have turned those outside lights on before you left!

 

[James L]

You should have turned those outside lights on before you left!

Pretty slick kit here, wireless 3-way kit.
They make a car visor clip for the remote, so you can install the smart switch by the door to turn on/off outside lights, and 3-way it to the car. Turn on the lights before you get out

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