Can't fit dimmer switch as screw holes in metal box obstructing

[Hyper88]

I bought a dimmer switch. When I tried to put it in, it would not go in, as the screw holes at the TOP and BOTTOM are obstructing it.

I noticed my metal box has screw holes on all 4 sides. Even new ones from B&Q were the same.

Do people bend back the unwanted screw holes? I tried to do it on a new metal box, but the metal was pretty though.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Yes, gently work forward and back with pliers; they will snap off.

 

[Iggifer]

You don't always need to snap them off fully, they will probably push back into the void they were punched out from

 

[Hyper88]

Thx!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Nice sharp cold chisel + club hammer.

Even new ones from B&Q were the same.

Can't recall ever looking at back-boxes there - I didn't know that anybody still made them with lugs on 4 sides.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Dual boxes still do and come across old ones that do already in place.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Dual boxes still do

Yes, as you might want to use one vertically.

For some reason I assumed the OP was talking about a regular 1-gang.

and come across old ones that do already in place.

What have you been doing in my Mum's house?

But new ones on the shelves?

 

[EFLImpudence]

But new ones on the shelves?

Some do. Google back box - images.

 

[Iggifer]

All of the ones we seem to fit have 4 lugs. Seems to not matter what wholesaler they come from, most all of them are 4 lug.

Plasterers usually slap so much wet on it doesn't really matter, the lugs are often 10mm shy of the finished wall level anyway

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Could be worse. I knew someone once whose plasterer completely filled in all of the boxes in an extension being built.

 

[Iggifer]

Oh get that all the time too. That's where detailed drawings come in handy

 

[ban-all-sheds]

He was fortunate, timing wise, to be able to see the rectangular patches which didn't dry as quickly as the rest of the walls...

 

[Echo the husky]

All of the ones we seem to fit have 4 lugs. Seems to not matter what wholesaler they come from, most all of them are 4 lug.

Indeed, I've been with my current employer for over 10 years now, and we have always had 4 lug single boxes. We mostly use Appleby. An old slotted screwdriver and a tap with a hammer is how I get them out of the way.

 

[333rocky333]

I may be going mad, but I seem to recall one reason for 4 lugs on the single box was because one face had a 25mm knockout, though not sure if thats still the case

 

[Iggifer]

Well, that may be the case with a 35mm box (it is) but you won't get a 25mm knockout in a 25mm box....

We use 35mm for HDMI with brush plates, purely because an HDMI plug won't fit through a 20mm knockout