What are Floor boxes?

Posted January 5th, 2021 by Gary & filed under Blog, Electrical Installations.

: Photos of 3 compartment and 4 compartment floor boxes

: A 50 x 50 Data Plate for floor boxes

: An Electrical Plate for floor boxes

Floor boxes are boxes made of stainless steel and plastic, designed for floor installation. They come in a variety of sizes, and there are different boxes for different types of floors. Floor box data and power options vary according to your requirements. This will depend on the depth of a false floor void or if it is to be set in the concrete floor screed. Raised floors, on the other hand, offer the most variety of finishing options, and at times can also include above-floor raised floor boxes

What kind of buildings are they usable in?

Many organisations can benefit from floor-located power. Indeed, low boxes are widely used in:

Offices
Airports
Hotels
Schools
Hospitals
Public buildings such as council offices

For example, the 22 Bishopsgate Skyscraper in London has 62 floors of office space, which is a lot of floor boxes!

Types of electrical floor boxes

Although there are many models on the market, the products are usually not very different in appearance, functionality, features, or overall depth. Floor box data and power options are widely available, offering a wide range of choices. Most are made of stainless steel or galvanised steel. However, some are also made of copper or brass. For example, wood floor finishes are often paired with brass sockets and floor boxes for architectural finishes

However, most of the latest boxes are designed and manufactured to provide easy installation and quick removal. Floor boxes are offered in both round and rectangular frames. While it is possible to use plastic or porcelain plates with floor coverings, the most common method is to use metal plates. Solid metal is less prone to damage when the box is stepped over when not in use. Metal covers can resist well for large weights. In addition, this will help maintain the office’s basic, clean look. Where necessary, metal plates can be fitted with spring-loaded covers to seal when stores are not in use.

Floor Boxes ware able to contain a range of different modules or outlets such as

Electrical Faceplates
Data Cabling Outlets
Audio Visual Connectors
Bespoke Connetcors all within a 50m x 50m Faceplate

The majority of floor boxes will have a separate cutout in the lid cover. This allows a matching carpet sample to be placed to hide the floor box within the overall floor layout. In addition, this cutout can be used for a sample of matching tile, wood, or other floor coverings

Our management team can help you choose the type of electrical equipment that best suits your needs and provide a professional, secure installation. We can run you through your floor box data, power configurations, and options

Waterproof Floor Boxes

For specialist areas, a range of heavy-duty floor boxes is available. For example, floor boxes are available in waterproof and dustproof versions. In these products, the built-in inner box features an IP66 water- and dust-resistant enclosure to protect it from external elements. It is widely found in shopping malls, convention centres, museums, airports, and on the streets. These are areas that are regularly incurring dust and grime, and are regularly washed down

Installing Floor Boxes

STEP 1: CHOOSE THE PLACE OF THE BOX AND MAKE AN OPENING

To fit any floor box, you need to first open the floor. In false floors, these will be done by cutting the floor box into a floor tile. Care is taken to keep the floor box towards the centre to avoid weakening the tile by cutting too close to the edge. However, offsetting the box within the tile allows for greater adjustment when moving the tiles into place to suit desk layouts

If the floor box is to be placed into a concrete floor screed, then the floor must be broken out. In addition, troughs will be required to run from the floor box to local services. This can either be back to the power board or data cabinet, or accessing local containment such as dado trunking or tray work.

Since cutting is a skilled craft that requires the right equipment, it is always best to hire a professional company. We can use the appropriate tools to remove any requirements from your flooring. Floors with tile or wood, for example, can be cut with a jigsaw. For concrete, we can choose a circular saw or a concrete saw. Once the opening is done, you can start installing the boxes.

STEP 2: PREPARE THE BOX AND GET IT IN PLACE

First, check where the ground cable runs to. Once you know this, you can remove the appropriate knockouts from the floor box units. Knockouts are circular holes through which data entry and power systems connect to in-box modules

Place the box on the floor above the opening, in the correct position to receive the electrical and data cabling connections.

STEP 3: Press the box into the floor

Lower the floor box and press down firmly on both ends of the box at the same time. This will include adjusting latches on each side and securing the box in place. The latches allow easy insertion and removal

For additional security, once in place, turn the screws to tighten each tightly, and the box should be secure in its place.

STEP 4: FIT THE LID AND TRIM

Many quick models have a metal, reusable lid that is already installed, so it can remain in place during installation or removal. If not, you should be able to measure the lid and reduce it by pressing the area. The lid can then be fitted with a matching carpet, tile, or wooden insert

How to remove the Floor Box?

This will depend on the floor model you have, but in general, you should be able to follow these steps:

If the floor box has lock handles, lift them so that they no longer lock the box in place.
Many well-balanced boxes allow you to remove them without removing the lid. If so, simply lift the lid to an open area.
Look at the metal clips on either side of the box. Insert a flat-blade screwdriver into the slot of one of these clips – either side, left or right – and slide it out until the clip meets the moulded stem.
Lift the box down, using the lid as a handle.

In a concrete floor, screed floor boxes are set into the concrete itself. Therefore, removal is generally not possible without extensive building upheaval

What are Floor boxes?