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Useful information about switch boxes and junction boxes
Switch boxes and junction boxes are mounting boxes for stationary electrical installations . . These sockets are used to store cables and switches or sockets, light switches and other electronic components . They themselves are passive components of electrical installation and are usually installed flush-mounted.
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What was a switch box and junction box?
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Device sockets and junction boxes are used for this purpose
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An overview of the mounting types
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This way you will find a suitable switch box and junction box
What was a switch box and junction box?
Switch Boxes
Switch boxes are standardized according to DIN-49073. They are also known as appliance sockets or appliance junction boxes , in Switzerland the term "inlet box" is used.
Junction Boxes
Junction boxes are installation sockets according to DIN VDE 0606-1 . They are also known as junction boxes, device junction boxes or just junction boxes .
Device sockets and junction boxes are used for this purpose
Switch or device sockets and junction boxes are used in stationary electrical installations. The sockets are used to store various electronic components:
Switch boxes/ device boxes
Fixed electrical equipment such as sockets, switches, dimmers and other electrical and electronic components can be found in switch and device sockets.
Practical advice
Some switch boxes are generously designed and recessed to the rear so that the associated cable connections fit into the inlet box and therefore the use of a separate junction box is not necessary.
Junction boxes/ device connection sockets
Electrical cables such as the cables of sockets, lighting, switches and other permanently installed sub-distributions run together in junction boxes. In the box, they are connected using terminals to realize the desired circuit . For example, a junction box can be used to connect a motion detector to a fixed lamp.
Tip : You can find switch box accessories such as spring covers, front rings and clamping inserts here.
An overview of the mounting types
Search tip : Switch boxes and junction boxes differ mainly in the type of mounting . Depending on where you want to install the can, the search for suitable housings can be limited by the mounting method.
These mounting types are:
Surface-mount
The surface mounting of switch boxes means mounting on the wall. This is usually realized by a screw connection, but sometimes also by bonding.
Practical advice
The surface-mounted installation is often used in damp rooms. In the other applications of switch boxes and junction boxes, flush mounting dominates.
Flush-mount
The flush-mounted installation is the most common mounting variant for device connection sockets and junction boxes . As a rule, light switches, dimmers and sockets are installed in the wall or a ceiling. For this, an appropriately large outlet in the wall is necessary. The fixing is often done by plaster, if it is a massive wall with sufficient load capacity.
Practical advice
Flush-mounted sockets are versatile in their design. In addition to the conventional flush-mounted sockets, the flush-mounted installation (UP) also includes hollow wall sockets, installation boxes for installation in external cavities or boxes for installation in special materials such as concrete or solid wood.
Cavity wall / cavity ceiling
Boxes for hollow wall installation are suitable for installation in lightweight walls, for example made of gypsum board. Fixed by barking, hollow wall switch boxes can be placed in the hollow wall on a level surface with the help of a collar. In addition to hollow wall boxes, there are also installation boxes for hollow wall ceilings, which are specially designed for the structural engineering of ceiling mounting on a lightweight construction.
Practical advice
For fire protection in dry construction of non-supporting walls, hollow wall cans are made of fire-retardant materials. The hole for the installation of hollow wall sockets is made using a hole saw and a drilling template.
External insulation
Installation boxes for external insulation have a particularly deep housing to guide electric cables through strong wall thicknesses. Their brackets are designed to be anchored in solid exterior walls.
Concrete
Switch and junction boxes for installation in concrete walls have special hooks on the housing, which provide a firm hold in the concrete. As an alternative, many models can also be used for flush-mounting in other masonry.
Device mount
Equipment carriers are inlet boxes that "carry" switches or devices from below. They are not installed in walls or ceilings like the usual installation boxes, but in the floor or in a height.
This way you can find a suitable switch box or junction box
The choice of switch boxes and junction boxes is large . It ranges from universally usable installation sockets to special products such as telescopic device holders, built-in light connection boxes or cooker connection boxes.
Search Tip : In the first step, we recommend either to have the search results pre-sorted roughly according to the type of assembly or to select a specific product type in order to limit the number of hits to suggestions that are relevant to you.
Furthermore, you can specify the diameter and depth of the component when searching for a suitable installation socket.
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The diameter determines the size of the required wall outlet for flush-mounted sockets and hollow wall sockets. There are both round and square mounting boxes and those with special shapes, which are adapted to certain types of switches.
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The depth of the can is relevant for the space available inside and for flush-mounted sockets also for the depth of the installation opening .
On the respective product pages you will find information on the protection types/IP codes of the installation sockets for switches, devices and cable connections as well as any notes on the concrete installation and application areas.
Note : many products are only approved for use in dry indoor areas. Wet room feeders are available here.