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Thread Bear
While replacing a wall switch, I damaged
the top hole (which receives the mounting screw of the switch) of the
junction box. It does not hold the top mounting screw of the switch any
more.
How do I mount the switch onto this damaged junction box now?
Thanks,
Sebo K.
If
the electrical box is metal, you can the next size larger screw,
preferably a self-tapping screw, and just drive it in with a
screwdriver.
The normal size of screw that comes with outlets and switches is #6-32.
That means the screw diameter is #6 and there are 32 threads per
inch. The next larger screw size is #8.
What I do when the threads strip out is just install a #8-32
self-tapping screw. Self-tapping screws have a little gash cut into
the tip so the sharp edge cuts new screw threads. Some self-tapping
screws don't have this gash, but have a tapered point that is threaded,
and this will form new threads as it makes a larger hole.
But often you will need to drill out the old hole slightly bigger (I'm
talking thousandths of an inch) so the self-tapper can actually get
started in the hole.
If the electrical box is plastic, you can follow the above
recommendations, but sometimes I just use a #8 sheet metal screw (which
has coarser and more aggressive threads than the machine screws).
And of course, we recommend that you turn of the power, just in case you
slip and touch some live wires... I've done that... I hate arc welding
with a screwdriver!
Bruce W. Maki, Editor.
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