Skip to main content

Ready to hire?

Post your job in minutes, browse real reviews and choose who to speak to.Post a job

Need some tips or advice?

Ask a question
Electrical

Socket placement in front of metal stud

Anonymous user 09/03/2024 - 3.11 PM

Hi I am looking to install a socket backbox (for cat5e cables) in a metal studded plasterboard wall. The only place left I can put the backbox is right where a metal stud is. I could probably get away with a surface mounted backbox, but I'd prefer one in the wall. Can anyone please advise what the best thing to do here is? Am I allowed to make a notch in the metal stud so that the dry-lining box can fit in the hole? Many thanks! James

Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?

Log in

2 Answers

Electricco Ltd

Rating: 5 out of 5
North Shields
Hi James, Depending on the depth of the plasterboard and also the depth of at the back of the device which you're connecting, it may be possible to just use a shallow metal (light switch) backbox rather than a dry lining box, in which case this could just be fixed to the metal studwork with self-drilling screws. If you need more depth you should avoid cutting into the studwork but if there is absolutely no other way I doubt the wall would fall down if you did but you would certainly be compromising it's integrity. Hope that helps. Chris ElectricCo
Answered20 June 2020
6

Anonymous user

Previous answer is correct, remember the person is NOT telling you to do it. The downward forces at a notch causes materials to bend/bulge out wards then snap. There is Always an alternative.
Answered19 July 2020
1