Is there a protective cover for the 'BACK' of a dry lining box?

[HappyHippyDad]

Hello all..

I have been asked by a customer to fit a recessed socket in the kitchen. The socket will be located on the side of a cupboard (no other viable options). I have given them options of nice looking wooden surface boxes but they are adamant they want it recessed.

I want to cover the back of the dry lining box with something as it will be accessible once the cupboard is opened and I think the box is designed to be hidden in a cavity.

I could easily make a wooden box thats fits over it inside the cupboard and screws into place (still an hours work) but I wondered if there was an actual product for this or if anyone has any better ideas for making it safe?

Cheers..

 

[Robotstar5]

An adaptable box (metal or plastic) a bit bigger than the dry lining box, throw the lid away, drill a couple of holes in the bottom and use long screws to hold it in place.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Here you go:

Chuck the lid away and secure the container in place with trusty Gaffer Tape (the Roadie's best friend)

 

[telectrix]

use a surface box in cupboard. should get away with a 16mm one once taking the thickness of the chipboard into account.

 

[telectrix]

Here you go:

Chuck the lid away and secure the container in place with trusty Gaffer Tape (the Roadie's best friend)

we know olive spreads, but does popeye know?

 

[HappyHippyDad]

use a surface box in cupboard. should get away with a 16mm one once taking the thickness of the chipboard into account.

I had thought of that Tel but just assumed it wouldn't be big enough! I'll have a practise when i get home.. cheers!

... Just thought , do you mean 'Just' a surface box (inside cupboard) instead of a dry ling box?

 

[Geordie Spark]

we know olive spreads, but does popeye know?

No - and as long as Olive spreads for me he's not likely to!!

 

[telectrix]

I had thought of that Tel but just assumed it wouldn't be big enough! I'll have a practise when i get home.. cheers!

... Just thought , do you mean 'Just' a surface box (inside cupboard) instead of a dry ling box?

yeah. a surface box. cut the cupboard hole just undersized for the box, then sandwich box/chipboard/socket front

 

[Flanders]

Then glue a twin blank plate to the back of the back box to cover up any holes and leave a nice finish

 

[davesparks]

yeah. a surface box. cut the cupboard hole just undersized for the box, then sandwich box/chipboard/socket front

But then you'd be using the cut edge of the chipboard as part of the enclosure, which is not exactly fireproof is it!

 

[Guest77]

Hello all..

I have been asked by a customer to fit a recessed socket in the kitchen. The socket will be located on the side of a cupboard (no other viable options). I have given them options of nice looking wooden surface boxes but they are adamant they want it recessed.

I want to cover the back of the dry lining box with something as it will be accessible once the cupboard is opened and I think the box is designed to be hidden in a cavity.

I could easily make a wooden box thats fits over it inside the cupboard and screws into place (still an hours work) but I wondered if there was an actual product for this or if anyone has any better ideas for making it safe?

Cheers..

I wouldn't do the job, the cabling is going to be at risk if it is in a used cupboard and especially if the box needs a cover because it will be visible, a bodge job, a matter of time before a saucepan gets shoved against the wiring, abandon ship man overboard.

 

[VoltzElectrical]

What Tel said.

I think he means the surface patress goes one side of the chipboard, the socket front goes on the other side of the chipboard.

The hole cut in the chipboard is slightly undersized so as to allow it to be trapped between the socket and back box.

I think that is what he means, and it's a really good idea.

 

[VoltzElectrical]

But then you'd be using the cut edge of the chipboard as part of the enclosure, which is not exactly fireproof is it!

O good point, but it could be sealed with some fire-proof mastic.

 

[Guest77]

Oh dear, the job is now turning into a fire proof box, quite an eyeful for the customer I suspect, Get an electrician to explain it is not acceptable and look at other options.

 

[VoltzElectrical]

Oh dear, the job is now turning into a fire proof box, quite an eyeful for the customer I suspect, Get an electrician to explain it is not acceptable and look at other options.

Why are you so set against putting a socket in a cupboard, surely this happens all the time, and they just use standard accessories which aren't fireproof?

I'm confused why this is such an issue when it's only a variation on a standard surface mounted setup, or have I misunderstood something the the OP and the replies?

 

[davesparks]

How thick is the chipboard?

I've done this many times in Island units where there is the cupboard side + a decorative end panel giving a total thickness of 1", which means you can get a 1" metal back box in there with it flush to the inside of the cupboard.

If you feel it is necessary this can easily be covered with a thin bit of ply or a blank plate etc

 

[Guest77]

Why are you so set against putting a socket in a cupboard, surely this happens all the time, and they just use standard accessories which aren't fireproof?

I'm confused why this is such an issue when it's only a variation on a standard surface mounted setup, or have I misunderstood something the the OP and the replies?

Okay joking aside mate, I have no problem with a socket in a cupboard, but think about a drylining box in the side with the wires entering the back and saucepans getting chucked in it? a bit different from a fixed socket on a non breakable box fixed securely inside, thats what I am trying to get at.

 

[davesparks]

O good point, but it could be sealed with some fire-proof mastic.

That's making a mountain out of a molehill!

Flush the box in to the cupboard would be much easier and cheaper!

 

[davesparks]

Okay joking aside mate, I have no problem with a socket in a cupboard, but think about a drylining box in the side with the wires entering the back and saucepans getting chucked in it? a bit different from a fixed socket on a non breakable box fixed securely inside, thats what I am trying to get at.

Cables run horizontally to the back of the cupboard where they drop down the gap behind the cupboard, with a bit of PVC tube inside the cupboard to protect the from knocks.
The socket will almost certainly be near the top of the cupboard so out of harms way anyway

 

[Guest77]

How thick is the chipboard?

I've done this many times in Island units where there is the cupboard side + a decorative end panel giving a total thickness of 1", which means you can get a 1" metal back box in there with it flush to the inside of the cupboard.

If you feel it is necessary this can easily be covered with a thin bit of ply or a blank plate etc

That would work yes, a proper metal box fitted in the side with a thicker board.