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2 x 2G backbox question

plugwash said:
That is a triple row grid box.

Unfortunately BG don't give screw hole locations for their boxes or plates, but the overall height of the plate is.

single row - 86mm
Dual-row euro - 186mm
Dual-row combination 13A/Euro - 186mm
Dual-row grid - 147mm
Triple-row grid - 207mm


With such a large discrepancy in overall plate size, I very much doubt the screwhole locations match up.
Click to expand...
Thank you, I did mention to check it. I have been the situation of lots of wiring in those double plates and we sourced some grid switch boxes which fitted perfectly, I also mentioned not all makes are compatible. Somewhere...
 
SUNRAY said:
Thank you, I did mention to check it. I have been the situation of lots of wiring in those double plates and we sourced some grid switch boxes which fitted perfectly, I also mentioned not all makes are compatible. Somewhere...
Click to expand...
As mentioned earlier I know from experience there are differences between makes, I've asked someone to measure a modular plate I installed for him a year or so before Covid, it has no visible markings, 5¾W * 8 1/8H and the screwholes 4¾ * 4¾ (which I make 146 * 206 & 121 * 121He purchased 4 from a wholesaler but they have now moved and he can't remember who they were (from his description I think may have been Wilts) and 4 double boxes. However fitting the first was a right PITA forming the plethora of cables into the double box so he took the others back and got triple grid boxes. Scaling from: file:///C:/Users/rayso/Downloads/BG_SPCDOC_EN_20210427JW_Nexus-Grid-Front-Plates-White-Moulded.pdf (thank you PW) seems to match very closely.
 
I've fitted a 2x2-gang MK faceplate. Also saw the comedy price for their backbox. I bought one elsewhere, it was a while ago so I don't remember whose or where from. The heights of the two 2-gang screw holes don't align well with the MK faceplate. They screw in fine, as they're in two halves. But then the units within don't align with the faceplate that screws over.

I did get it together after slackening the mounting screws so the units were floating about then could get them to just squeeze in as the faceplate was tightened. It all looks absolutely fine once fitted, all flush to the wall, and the outer screws are tight. But it's horrible.

I'd get two 2-gang boxes and use plastic packers between them if doing it again. Just pre-adjust the packing needed, glue or tape together then fit. But you'll then have less space for cables and a huge obstruction across the middle. In my case I had lots of interconnections between the two halves so it probably wouldn't have worked.
 
Ivor Windybottom said:
I'd get two 2-gang boxes and use plastic packers between them if doing it again. Just pre-adjust the packing needed, glue or tape together then fit. But you'll then have less space for cables and a huge obstruction across the middle. In my case I had lots of interconnections between the two halves so it probably wouldn't have worked.
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Riveted metal strips or steel sheet would not be an obstruction.
 
This sounds like a good use for 20mm couplers and bushes?!
 
morqthana said:
Riveted metal strips or steel sheet would not be an obstruction.
Click to expand...
I don't think that's what he was suggesting.

Rather, I think he was saying that by having two separate boxes adjacent to one another (hence two 'cavities') and somehow fixed together would be somewhat of an 'obstruction' to cables going from the accessory in one box to the accessory in the other box, whereas if there were just a single, 'double size' box, there would just be a single'cavity', hence easier for wiring between the two accessories.
 
Couplers and nipples could work quite well if you have a grinder
 
JohnW2 said:
I don't think that's what he was suggesting.

Rather, I think he was saying that by having two separate boxes adjacent to one another (hence two 'cavities') and somehow fixed together would be somewhat of an 'obstruction' to cables going from the accessory in one box to the accessory in the other box, whereas if there were just a single, 'double size' box, there would just be a single'cavity', hence easier for wiring between the two accessories.
Click to expand...
On the plate shown, it looks roughly right to me.\

As @ebee says they can be ground down, or if not enough gap, an extra nut or washers used.

A nice rigid fitting with those.
 
phatboy said:
On the plate shown, it looks roughly right to me.\ .... As @ebee says they can be ground down, or if not enough gap, an extra nut or washers used. ... A nice rigid fitting with those.
Click to expand...
You appear to have quoted the wrong one of my posts - but, as far a the couplers/nipples go, fair enough. Admittedly, I was thinking about using the couplers 'as they are' without any grinding :-)

However, in terms my my post which you did quote, there is still the issue of having two boxes (each with 'four sides'), rather than one 'large box', which can be inconvenient if there is a lot of wiring between the accessories in the two boxes.
 
JohnW2 said:
morqthana said:
Riveted metal strips or steel sheet would not be an obstruction.
Click to expand...
I don't think that's what he was suggesting.
Click to expand...
No - it's what I was.

He was suggesting plastic packing strips between them, i.e. a "huge obstruction".

No?


JohnW2 said:
Rather, I think he was saying that by having two separate boxes adjacent to one another (hence two 'cavities') and somehow fixed together would be somewhat of an 'obstruction' to cables going from the accessory in one box to the accessory in the other box, whereas if there were just a single, 'double size' box, there would just be a single'cavity', hence easier for wiring between the two accessories.
Click to expand...
I see what you mean.

But they aren't, so....
 

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