Adding a switch (extending) two-gang box

Posted by on August 20, 2005, 6:14 am

Currently have a ganged, steel electrical box with two switches, and
need to add a third. Needless to say it's in old work--finished
drywall. Thought about making stud-to-stud cuts above and below
existing boxes, then adding the third section. Then I thought I'd
better ask here first.

Is there a way to do this without so much drywall cutting?

Posted by RBM on August 20, 2005, 9:27 am

It's a little tricky, but doable. If you've got 2x3 gem boxes, the end plate
is held on by a screw at the top of the box. If you cut the sheetrock for
the additional gang, then pop a slim screwdriver through the sheetrock at a
steep angle above the retaining screw, unscrew it and remove the end plate.
Next install the additional gang which will have both top and bottom screws
which you can tighten through the existing top hole and by making another
screwdriver hole at the bottom. This way you only have two small holes to
patch.

> Currently have a ganged, steel electrical box with two switches, and
> need to add a third. Needless to say it's in old work--finished
> drywall. Thought about making stud-to-stud cuts above and below
> existing boxes, then adding the third section. Then I thought I'd
> better ask here first.
> Is there a way to do this without so much drywall cutting?
>

Posted by Mikepier on August 20, 2005, 7:11 am

If you have enough room in the existing box, you can convert one of
your existing single gang switch to a duplex single gang switch,
leaving you a spot for your new switch. The only thing you would have
to do at that point is run a new wire for your switch to the box.

Posted by on August 20, 2005, 12:24 pm

On Sat, 20 Aug 2005 09:27:24 -0400, "RBM" <rbm2(remove

this)@optonline.net> wrote:

>It's a little tricky, but doable. If you've got 2x3 gem boxes, the end plate
>is held on by a screw at the top of the box.

I agree with RBM. You will hate the stackes switches after a while. It
will always look like an afterthought

Posted by MC on September 8, 2005, 5:29 pm

What I have done before is use a three position remodel box, cutout the
extra drywall needed for the newer bigger box, carefully remove the old
steel box off the stud through the bigger opening, feeding the existing
wiring out.
Install existing wiring with new wiring into new box and install.
The only catch is really need to have a good tight fit and solid drywall
where the back flaps hold to the drywall for the type of box that has the
screws in the opposite corners that have the flaps on the back that twist
into place and tighten down to hold the box in place.

MC

> On Sat, 20 Aug 2005 09:27:24 -0400, "RBM" <rbm2(remove
> this)@optonline.net> wrote:

> >It's a little tricky, but doable. If you've got 2x3 gem boxes, the end

plate

> >is held on by a screw at the top of the box.

> I agree with RBM. You will hate the stackes switches after a while. It
> will always look like an afterthought

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