Standard Light Switch Box Dimensions

It houses a single electrical switch or outlet and comes in metal or nonmetallic units.

Standard light switch box dimensions.

As for the outer edges of the plates these are pretty close but actually can differ by as much as 1 4. Measure the opening to figure out the exact minimum height and width for your plate. Different electrical box sizes fit varying installation needs. Standard midsize midway and jumbo.

If the counter has no knee space the counter width shouldn t exceed 24 inches and the. When mounting a light switch over a countertop for example in an indoor or outdoor kitchen an art studio or a craft room reduce the standard wall mounting height to 40 inches. If the opening is oversized you may need a jumbo plate to conceal it. Position the bottom of the box on that mark and fasten it to the stud.

When selecting a size the plate should completely cover the electrical box opening. The standard dimensions are for the switch itself which will include the hole for the switch and the ability to be screwed on the top and bottom of the switch. The height from the floor to the middle of the switch plate should not exceed 48 inches and the minimum height should not be less than 15 inches. Metal boxes are suitable for surface mounted installations using metal conduit.

A standard rectangular shape is the most common electrical box. The standard size plate is nominally 2 75 inches 4 5 inches the preferred size plate is nominally 3 13 inches by 4 88 inches and the oversized plate is nominally 3 5 inches by 5 25 inches. This has no effect unless you are putting the outlet in a really tight space. Use of a larger wall cover plate can save time and effort in non standard applications where you would otherwise have to patch sand and or repaint the wall.

Measure 2 inches under that mark and make another mark for the bottom of a standard 4 inch electrical box. There are three common wall plate sizes. Octagon and standard size round boxes range from 1 1 2 to 3 inches deep and are the standard box for ceiling or wall mounted light fixtures weighing up to 50 pounds.