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How far from a door jamb to put a single gang electrical box for a switch?

How far from a door jamb to put a single gang electrical box for a switch?


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Old 08-10-13, 02:50 PM
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How far from a door jamb to put a single gang electrical box for a switch?

Just wondering. I am putting a new switch next to a door. I am trying to figure out what is the norm for how far away I should put the plastic electrical gang box from the door opening. What do you think? One 2x4 stud away from the door opening? Two studs away? Or 3 studs away?
 
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Old 08-10-13, 02:54 PM
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Mine are all mounted to the king stud which puts them about 1 1/2-2" from the edge of the casing. Can't imagine them being 16" or so away.
 
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Old 08-10-13, 02:56 PM
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Your choice - any of those is close enough and none is too far, assuming you mean "one 2x4 thickness or two 2x4 thicknesses or 3 2x4..." I sometimes just slap the wall as though I'm hitting a switch and then mark where my hand hit. Or ask my client to do that. Remember to mount them no more than 48" AFF.
 
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Old 08-10-13, 03:06 PM
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Most electricians in our area will pad out the king stud with an additional scrap of 2x4 and mount the box on that. It gives you a little more separation between the trim and the switch cover. Of course, that distance would need to increase as the width of the trim increases.
 
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Old 08-10-13, 03:22 PM
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Xsleeper took the words right out of my mouth..... exactly right.

Usually with only one beam thickness away from opening.... the plate hits the molding.
 
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Old 08-13-13, 09:36 AM
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Oh OK! BTW, what is a "king stud". I have not heard of that term in construction.

So, what you are saying essentially is that in order for the switch cover plate not to hit the door trim, I would need about two 2x4 studs clearance?
 
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Old 08-13-13, 10:43 AM
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A king stud is the stud on either side of an opening that runs from the bottom plate to the top plate. It is next to the jack stud that holds the header. Yes, spaced about 1½" away from the king stud. (May need to be more for extra wide trim.)
 
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Old 08-13-13, 10:45 AM
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BTW, what is a "king stud".
Anatomy of a Stud-Framed Wall

So, what you are saying essentially is that in order for the switch cover plate not to hit the door trim, I would need about two 2x4 studs clearance?
It depends on how wide your trim is. Yer, the thickness of one or two 2x4s - 1- 5/8" to 3-1/4" - added to the king stud on the latch side of the door.
 
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Old 08-13-13, 11:38 AM
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Silly question....
In the OP, you mentioned Plastic electrical box?
As others had mentioned, add a 2x4 (scrap or otherwise) between the king stud and the box. It will save the headakes with the plate and the trim.
 

Last edited by ray2047; 08-13-13 at 12:35 PM. Reason: Typo: I>In
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Old 08-13-13, 12:41 PM
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Silly question....
In the OP, you mentioned Plastic electrical box?
What's the question?
 
 

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