Roughing in for floor outlets

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Rawls007

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I've never done the rough in portion for recessed floor outlets and am looking for a few suggestions. I'm basically trying to figure out what needs to be done before the slab gets pourn.

I thought about leaving the conduit and wire stubbed out like you would for a kitchen island, then come back later and chisel out the concrete for the box. Another electrician told me to attach the box to the conduit and leave it laying in the dirt before the concrete is poured, with the cover off and duct taped shut. Notate the measurments and location of the box, come back after the concrete is poured, find the buried box and strike the concrete with a hammer. Supposedly the concrete will cave in where the top of the box was duct taped.

It sounds a little risky so I thought I'd get a few extra opinions. Thanks!
 
You definitely want to rough the boxes in and get them adjusted to the proper height. I've always had access to the mason's transit - and you definitely want one of these - it goes so much smoother. You'll need boxes designed to be roughed in for this, and they have feet and levelers on them - at least the one's I've done.

Cutting up the concrete is very labor intensive. Heck, even if you have to rent a transit, you'll still be ahead of the game.

Check this link out - as it will give you an idea of what they look like:

http://www-public.tnb.com/ps/endeca/index.cgi?co=US&lang=en&a=nav&N=582


Thanks,


Brett
 
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IMO Forget using a metal box and 'shooting' the height, it is a major pain in the rear to get them dead on.

Use a PVC floor box, you do not need to set the height of these.

Once the finish is done you cut the extra off with a sawzall blade and install the device and plate.

BTW these boxes are made for this 'cut to fit' method, the instructions explain it all.
 
Bob, do you have a link to these pvc boxes? I've always had bad luck with the wiremold boxes. Even when I tripple check my measurements, they always end up way low.
 
those boxes work great. we've used them with smurf tube and no problems. another nice feature is that if they are not perfectly straight in the concrete, that's ok. you can adjust the floor plate to compesate. (don't want them too much out of wack though)
 
We remodeled a large department store, we had to add around 500 floor boxes (voice, data, power) to an existing slab.

The cut to fit boxes where a major time saver, we would not cut them down until after the VCT, marble tile or rug went down.

As emahler pointed out they do not have to be perfect to work fine.
 
Rawls, do the specs say you have to use a metal box? If so then you are best to get the height with a laser or whatever site tool they have. I shoot them about a 1/8" low and it works out pretty good. If you are going to use the PVC floor boxes then everyone is right. They are a snap, but make sure you don't set them too deep. Never mind how much the concrete finisher gripes about your boxes. It is his job to work around them if you are using PVC boxes. Good luck !!
 
My preference is for the Hubbel brand of round pvc floor boxes. I think the 4 slots that get a slide in clamp bracket that grabs the top surface is better than the slip fit glue method that the Carlon brand uses to hold the trim kit in place. If you try the Hubbel out once, you will see what I am talking about.
 
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