Junction Boxes

Also known as an Electrical Outlet Box or Outlet Box, Junction boxes act as an enclosure that provides secure housing for electrical wiring and devices to protect them from external forces such as weather, neighbouring materials and vandalism. They act as a connector to a pattress and in a lot of cases can be found installed behind a downlighter.

How do junction boxes work?

A junction box provides points on entry for lighting & electrical cables. It is important to note that they come in various shapes and sizes, so choosing the right one is vital to stay safe and legally compliant. They also have different points of entry, consisting of knockout, integrated thread or self-sealing membranes.

Internally, there are mounting points for screws in each corner, so you should use the correct masonry plugs, anchors and fixings for the surface you are mounting to such as a wall, skirting board or ceiling.

Once the junction box has been mounted and all the cables have been prepared, wiring connections can be made using the correct connectors such as cable terminals and splices. A sealed box lid or box cover then provides security for all the internal components.

What materials are they made from?

A weatherproof junction box can be made from various plastics and metals. Both are suitable for most household projects but metal boxes require grounding and must be connected to the ground system of the circuit.

Types of Junction boxes

They are typically an adaptable box, which means some are cross-functional. Although, you should never use a standard box for a specialty job. For example, a round box is only used for lightweight fixtures and shouldn't be used for a ceiling fan.