Receptacles in J Blocks!

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aelectricalman

aelectricalman

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What type of box enclosure is required in order to put a receptacle in a Vinyl J Block. Someone told me that fixtures can be mounted straight to the J Block with no box behind it. Is this true. Also, if true, is this ok for receptacle. Do they need an electrical box? I have always put boxes behind all lights and receptacle but is it neccessary? :confused:

[ January 26, 2005, 08:20 PM: Message edited by: aelectricalman ]
 
Re: Receptacles in J Blocks!

I've seen some that were rated for such uses. They had a 1/2" knock out in the back for the wire to enter, and it was basically a pvc box in the shape of a siding block. I don't remember the brand or even where I saw it, it's been years. But yes, SOME are listed for such uses, most are not.

Dave
 
Re: Receptacles in J Blocks!

Sounds like a flyimg splice to me.All fixtures require some type of enclosure.vanity strips with holes that can be used to box mount still need some type of box according to manufacturers instructions.As far as a receptacle without a box or self enclosed connection no way.
 
Re: Receptacles in J Blocks!

Dave is correct, Have seen and used the same "j" block a couple years ago ..a real nice item also.
 
Re: Receptacles in J Blocks!

At the risk of exposing my ignorance, what is a j-block?
dizzy.gif
 
Re: Receptacles in J Blocks!

George, nice icon first of all!!!
I never heard the term J-Block before but I knew exactly what he meant! It's a type of mounting block that is used for mounting lt. fixtures and/or devices to outdoor vinyl siding. Since most siding is angled it allows the Lt. fixture to sit flat to the wall instead of having the gaping holes on the sides(Where the siding is angled). Vinyl siding manufacturers make them in all of the same colors the siding comes in. They make for a Much neater looking job. Anytime I do a house that is getting vinyl siding I make sure to tell the GC or homeowner to have the siding guys install these or I don't want to hear one complaint if the light fixtures have big holes in the sides filled with blobs and blobs of caulk! That usually gets their attention! For some reason, ($$$)the siding guys seem to try to avoid using these...it's up to US to make sure they get installed.
 
Re: Receptacles in J Blocks!

Originally posted by aelectricalman:
What type of box enclosure is required in order to put a receptacle in a Vinyl J Block. Someone told me that fixtures can be mounted straight to the J Block with no box behind it. Is this true. Also, if true, is this ok for receptacle. Do they need an electrical box? I have always put boxes behind all lights and receptacle but is it neccessary? :confused:
Click to expand...
smiley_jawdrop.gif
 
Re: Receptacles in J Blocks!

So that my ignorance is surpased only by my stupidity, I will better clarify myself. J blocks like I am refering to is an entirely enclosed on all sides box, but there is no electrical box molded into the block. It is a 1 piece outfit, and no building materials are exposed like traditional vinyl boxes. I guess the question im asking, is this. Is heavy graded vinyl a suitable enclosure for electrical wiring housing.
 
Re: Receptacles in J Blocks!

Edited to restate what I didn't catch in your post before:
but there is no electrical box molded into the block. It is a 1 piece outfit
Click to expand...
I would check to see if these are UL listed for such use. as vinyl does melt and can be flammable

Yes Plastic box's have been used for outlet box's for quite a few years now and most have a 2 hour fire rating. The image's I posted above shows the box's. These box's are UL listed as an electrical enclosure. So they can be used to junction wiring connections. If the siding block does not have a back in it to keep a arc flash from burning the building surface then no it could not be used for making connections in it.

Here are some example's of siding block's that could not be used by them selves for mounting devices and doing wire connections behind them:

k1_imlft.GIF


There are two piece blocks that the siders supply that also has to have a box mounted behind it also

[ January 30, 2005, 01:12 AM: Message edited by: hurk27 ]
 
Re: Receptacles in J Blocks!

Has anyone seen the new receptacle "box/j-block/in use cover" combo. I think it's from Arlington (?). My supply house just got them in and they have one sitting on the counter. VERY cool!
The cover is perfectly flat and the whole thing protrudes just slightly more than a standard j-block, including the in-use. The box section must be cut into the sheathing but it keeps the whole thing real clean looking.
 
Re: Receptacles in J Blocks!

I saw the new ones at a trade show, finally someone got it right, low profile and clean looking. As for the J block if it's the type the sidiers use all the time, which is nothing more that a piece of vinyl with a flat square surface, and the sheathing exposed behind it then you would need a box.
 
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