Can I daisy chain outlets in 2x3x2.5 GEM boxes?


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Old 05-05-16, 10:59 AM
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Can I daisy chain outlets in 2x3x2.5 GEM boxes?

I want to add some outlets in walls of crappy old plaster on wood lath. I've found that the best old work box around for this is a 2x3x2.5 from Steel City with flip out clamp tabs CDOW-TG-25. The plastic old work boxes never secure properly even if they can fit so thick a wall, they're really only for wallboard. Plus some of these walls were built with sideways 2x4 so a 2.5" box barely fits.

I always thought it was OK to daisy chain these 12.5 cu in boxes with 14-2, I've seen it frequently, but when I just actually calculated it I come up with needing 14 cu in. WTF? These common boxes aren't good for much if you can't use 4 conductors under any circumstances. Have I gotten any of this wrong?
 
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Old 05-05-16, 12:18 PM
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Having two cables and a device counts as 6 plus your ground meaning you need at least 14 cubic inches if an internal clamp is not used.
 
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Old 05-05-16, 05:10 PM
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These common boxes aren't good for much
Shallow boxes are considered specialty boxes and rarely allow two cable to be used in them.
When I'm forced to use shallow boxes I'll run the cable from each box to a common junction box.
 
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Old 05-05-16, 08:07 PM
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Use a deeper box and madison clips if you have wall space. If not use a 1900 box and a mud ring. You can usually get them in with a bit of patience. Spray foam works great for holding boxes in plaster and lath.
 
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Old 05-05-16, 08:35 PM
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Justin, how would I do that, screw a 1900 like below to the stud and plaster over the hole and mud ring when I'm done?

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The plastic shallow work boxes are made for 1/2"wallboard and simply won't work with lath & plaster.

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Searching the web on this subject I saw a reference to the box fill requirement for this size changing relatively recently. I've certainly seen real old work with 3 or 4 cables in one!
 

Last edited by PJmax; 05-05-16 at 09:02 PM. Reason: corrected pics
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Old 05-05-16, 09:07 PM
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You could gang to gem boxes, use madison clips then use a cover plate with one blank.
 
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Old 05-05-16, 10:54 PM
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ou could gang to gem boxes, use madison clips then use a cover plate with one blank.
Yeah, I thought of that. Or adding in another duplex or even a USB receptacle and making it a feature!

But I much prefer these boxes to using madisons. They really clinch tight
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Old 05-06-16, 09:42 AM
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Those boxes are gangable so you could still use double gang.
 
 

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