How to Mount Electrical Boxes to Drywall

Electrical boxes come in different shapes and sizes. You can mount an electrical box to a drywall in your home without the help of a professional electrician, this will help you save money and give you the satisfaction of being able to do the job yourself. With the right tools and instructions you will be well on your way to mounting electrical boxes to a drywall in your home.

Step 1: The Location

Choose the place you want to mount the electrical box and find the nearest stud.

Step 2: Mark the Center of the Stud

Use the stud finder to find the stud and mark the center of the stud and locate the next stud. Studs are normally installed 16 inches from each other.

Step 3: Wires or Pipes in the Wall

Check carefully if there are any wires or pipes in the wall. If you are using an electronic stud finder, you will be able to easily locate any metal in the wall. This will help you to be careful when you cut the wall.

Step 4: Draw the Outline

Remove the electrical box from its packaging and trace its outline with a pencil on the wall. Make sure you do this between the two studs.

Step 5: Cut the Wall

Use the saw to carefully cut into the wall. If you cut along the design you traced on the wall, you will have a neat hole in the wall.

Step 6: Attach the Wires

If there are wires in the wall, attach them together and push them to the side to allow the electrical box to fit into the hole you cut in the wall.

Step 7: Fix the Mounting Brackets

Use the mounting brackets that came with the electrical box and fix it to the electrical box.

Step 8: Mount the Box

Mount the electrical box to the studs using the 1-inch wood screws. Make sure the screws are screwed down well so that the electrical box is fixed firmly. Use the mounting brackets to fix the electrical box to the studs.

Step 9: Fix the Screws

Use the screws provided to fix the electrical box firmly to the dry wall.

Step 10: Gasket & Waterproof Plate

If you are mounting the electrical box on a wall outside, you will have to use the gasket and waterproof plate to make sure it is properly insulated. If you mount your electrical box indoors, you can use a PVC box and will not need to use a gasket and waterproof plate.

Step 11: Wiring

Install the receptacle if you are doing the wiring also. Once you have done that make the proper wire connections.

Step 12: Close the Box

Use the cover that came with the electrical box and close it securing it with the screws provided.

That is all there is to mounting an electrical box to a dry wall.