install electrical and voice/data outlets

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anbm

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Designer
we have existing 16" square concrete column, owner want to build
1.5" metal frame around, no studs inside, and they want to install electrical
and voice/data outlet on that column. Is it possible and how? Anyone has solutions? Sorry I am not electrician. Thanks!
 
Unistrut on the surface positioned horizontally one each on opposite sides,tie them together with all tread rod,instal as many as you need to do whatever
dick
 
I think they want the outlets flushed with metal frame so we won't see any conduit exposed. Will the space between metal frame and concrete column enough or we have to increase? Any illustration pictures? Thanks!
 
One more thing, the column stays in middle of nice waiting room, they don't want to see exposed conduits, unistrut, etc.
 
We have to ask you:
anbm said:
Any illustration pictures?
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There's no way we can recommend a specific item unless we know what you have, are adding, and want the finished install to look like.
 
Larry,

What do you want to know? The concrete column stays in middle of large waiting room (this is shell space before and they convert to a waiting room), column goes from floor to floor. They will build a nice metal frame around 4 sides of column. What they want is to have outlets mounted on column and have opening at metal frame for outlet access. Too bad, I don't have any pictures of existing column. So, the question is can we screw the j-box (to hold elec. outlet) to concrete column since there is no stud to support the j-box or do we have another way to install this?
 
anbm said:
Larry, What do you want to know?
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First, what does this mean?:
They will build a nice metal frame around 4 sides of column.
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Is this like building framing? Will there be drywall or another surface applied?

What they want is to have outlets mounted on column and have opening at metal frame for outlet access. Too bad, I don't have any pictures of existing column.
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I can picture a concrete column. What I can't picture is the framing and finished product.

So, the question is can we screw the j-box (to hold elec. outlet) to concrete column since there is no stud to support the j-box or do we have another way to install this?
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Sure, if the depth of the box suits the thickness of the surface material plus the space between the column and the surface.
 
Assuming the metal framing is being installed to attach sheet rock to:
Use a 1 1/2" 4 square with a plaster ring the same raise as the sheet rock. There is also a lot more to an electrical installation than the type of box or how it's mounted! I'm trying not to make any assumptions on your experience but you were responsible enough to admit you are not an Electrician. I would recommend that you have a qualified Electrician oversee this project to limit your liabilities. :)
 
the frame around is aluminum not building steel, there no sheet rock, I do not about this aluminum frame thickness. i assume that they will paint the cover of this aluminum sheet later.
 
surface mount your conduit and boxes, use 4 square boxes and mudrings and let the fabricators work around your installation, put the ball in thier hands.....;)
 
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76nemo said:
Yeah, and at 1.5" from column to sheeting, good luck with that!
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standard 4"square box is 1.5" deep, and you can get really shallow mudrings that are almost flat for paneling and such, It really shouldnt be a problem. I would just surface mount everything with plastic anchors and let the framer work around it, he may have to add material for a shim here and there to make it flush....
 
slamppin said:
Use a 1 1/2" 4 square with a plaster ring the same raise as the sheet rock.
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I've always had a better fit using a ring 1/8" deeper than the wall finish material. A 5/8" ring fits 1/2" drywall perfectly. For flammable material, such as wood paneling, it's mandantory.

ultramegabob said:
standard 4"square box is 1.5" deep, and you can get really shallow mudrings that are almost flat for paneling and such, It really shouldnt be a problem.
Click to expand...
Actually, you can get completely-flat mudrings, with no rise at all.
 
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