MINISTRY OF HOUSING

Western Sector Projects

Sitework & Infrastructure
OMRANIA and ASSOCIATES

Project Specification

SECTION 26 05 33.13
ELECTRICAL BOXES AND FITTINGS
PART 1:
1.01

GENERAL

SECTION INCLUDES
All types and sizes of electrical boxes and fittings including, but not limited to the following:
1. Outlet boxes.
2. Weatherproof outlet boxes.
3. Junction/pull boxes.
4. Cabinets/enclosures.
5. Floor boxes.
6. Conduit bodies.
7. Fittings.

1.02

RELATED SECTIONS

Section 0133 00

Submittals Procedures.

Section 01 61 00

Common Product Requirements.

Section 01 78 36

Warranties

Section 26 05 00

Common Work Results for Electrical.

Section 26 05 53

Electrical Identification.

Section 26 05 33

Electrical Raceways.

Section 26 05 29

Equipment Connections and Supports.

Section 26 27 26

Wiring Devices.

Section 26 29 00

LV Controllers.

Section 33 71 73.13

Electric Meters.

Section 26 24 16

Panel Boards.

1.03

REFERENCES

SASO

Saudi Arabian Standards Organization.

IEC 60364

Electrical Installations of Buildings.

IEC 60529

Degrees of Protection provided by Enclosures (IP Code).

BSEN 10346

Continuously Hot-Dip Zinc Coated Steel Flat Products.

BSEN 12844

Zinc and Zinc Alloys for Castings - Specifications.

ELECTRICAL BOXES AND FITTINGS

SECTION 26 05 33.13 - 1

MINISTRY OF HOUSING
Western Sector Projects
Sitework & Infrastructure
OMRANIA and ASSOCIATES

Project Specification

BS 7671

Requirements for Electrical Installations (IEE Wiring Regulations).

NFPA 70

National Electrical Code (NEC).

SEC DPS

SEC Distribution Planning Standards.

SEC SDMS

SEC Distribution Materials Specifications.

SEC SDCS

SEC Distribution Construction Standards.

1.04

SUBMITTALS

Comply with section 01 33 00.

Submit manufacturer's catalogues and technical data including dimensions of all electrical
boxes and fittings.

Submit samples of each type of proposed boxes and fittings.

1.05

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Manufacturers: Firms regularly engaged in manufacture of electrical boxes and fittings of all
types and sizes required, whose products have been in satisfactory use in similar service for not
less than 5 years. Preference shall be given to local manufacturers and agents/suppliers.

Installer: Firms regularly engaged and qualified with at least 5 years of successful installation
experience on projects with electrical installation work similar to that required for this project.

1.06

DELIVERY, STORAGE AND HANDLING

Comply with section 01 61 00.

Store electrical boxes and fittings indoors with appropriate protection against corrosion and
damage.

1.07
A
1.08

WARRANTY
Comply with section 01 78 36.
SEC/MUNICIPALITY COMPLIANCE

Contractor shall comply with all applicable SEC distribution material specification,
construction and planning standards for power distribution networks and municipality
specification for road lighting. Some of the specifications and standards are attached with the
contract documents for guidance, however contractor shall obtain copy of all applicable
specification and standards from the concerned authorities as required on site or instructed by
the Engineer.

Any conflict found between this project specification and SEC or municipality
specification/standards shall be immediately brought to the notice of Engineer for final
decision.

PART 2:
2.01

PRODUCTS

ACCEPTABLE MANUFACTURERS

ELECTRICAL BOXES AND FITTINGS

SECTION 26 05 33.13 - 2

MINISTRY OF HOUSING
Western Sector Projects
Sitework & Infrastructure
OMRANIA and ASSOCIATES

Project Specification

Not Used.
2.02

OUTLET BOXES

Provide galvanized flat, rolled sheet steel interior outlet wiring boxes of types, shapes, sizes and
depths to suit each respective location and installation. Construct threaded screw holes with
corrosion-resistant screws for securing box covers and wiring devices.

Provide a terminal with screw inside the box for grounding connection of all metallic outlet
boxes with appropriate earth mark.

Accessories for outlet boxes such as mounting brackets, wallboard hangers, extension rings,
fixture studs, grounding connection, cable clamps, metal straps for supporting outlet boxes, etc.
shall be compatible with outlet boxes being used and fulfilling requirements of individual
wiring situations.

Exposed or surface mounted boxes, when used with rigid steel conduits, shall have threaded
hubs. These boxes shall be cast from ferro-alloy or malleable iron, hot-dip galvanized.

Ceiling boxes shall be 75 mm circular or square, and 50 mm deep complete with fittings
where required to support fixtures.

Provide gang boxes at locations where more than one device is to be mounted.

Provide combination boxes with barriers for wiring of more than one system.

Provide panel mounted fixing frames where outlet boxes are installed in paneling.

Outlet box shall be of adjustable grid type.

All circular PVC boxes where used to support light fittings shall be provided with steel insert
clips.

2.03

WEATHERPROOF OUTLET BOXES

Provide weatherproof outlet boxes for interior and exterior locations exposed to weather or
moisture or where shown on the drawings.

Provide corrosion-resistant cast metal weatherproof outlet wiring boxes of types, shapes, sizes
and depths to suit each location and installation as shown on the drawings.

Weatherproof outlet boxes shall be provided with threaded conduit ends, terminal with screw
for ground connection, cast metal face plates with spring-hinged waterproof caps, suitably
configured for each application, including face plate gaskets and corrosion resistant fasteners.

All weatherproof outlet boxes shall be provided with corrosion free epoxy powder coat, to
provide corrosion resistance with appropriate gasket.

For outdoor applications and areas with corrosive atmosphere, boxes for use with PVC coated
steel conduits shall be galvanized cast boxes with a PVC factory applied coating of 40 mm
minimum thickness. Boxes shall have hubs with extruded sleeves extending the hubs.

The outlet boxes in hazardous (classified) locations and special occupancies shall conform to
NEC, Chapter 5, articles 500 through 517.

2.04

JUNCTION/PULL BOXES

ELECTRICAL BOXES AND FITTINGS

SECTION 26 05 33.13 - 3

MINISTRY OF HOUSING
Western Sector Projects
Sitework & Infrastructure
OMRANIA and ASSOCIATES

Project Specification

Provide hot-dip galvanized, zinc coated, code gauge sheet steel junction and pull boxes with
screws on cover, of types, shapes, sizes and depths to suit each respective location and
installation. Minimum depth shall be 50 mm.

Junction/pull boxes shall be provided with welded seams and appropriate cast covers, equipped
with stainless steel nuts, bolts, screws, washers and terminal with screw for ground connection.

All junctions on lighting, power, signaling, communications, alarms and control wiring shall
be provided with terminal strips. Terminal strips shall have screw type terminals and cable
identification strip.

Sufficient draw-in/pull boxes shall be provided to permit easy wire pulling during installation
as well as for maintenance.

Not more than two right-angled bends or 10 meter length of conduit shall be permitted
between draw boxes. Vertical conduit runs more than 3 meter shall provide cable support
using a draw-in box.

2.05

CABINETS/ENCLOSURES

Provide cabinets/enclosures with welded seams and appropriate cast covers, equipped with
stainless steel nuts, bolts, screws, washers and terminal with screw for ground connection.

Cabinets/enclosures shall be provided with hinged covers, where required.

Cabinets/enclosures shall be provided with reinforced steel back plates for mounting interior
components, and to ensure rigidity and accurate alignment.

2.06

FLOOR OUTLET BOXES

Provide corrosion resistant, hot-dip galvanized, zinc coated sheet steel floor outlet boxes of the
types, shapes, sizes and depths to suit each respective location and installation. The floor outlet
boxes shall be suitable for raised floor trunking or under floor ducting system as required.

Depths of floor outlet boxes shall be sufficient to accommodate conduit entries from sides and
all kinds of wiring devices with plugs from the top.

Cover of floor outlet boxes shall be capable of closing completely after installation of plugs and
connecting devices inside the box. The cover shall be suitable for flush floor installation with
provision of fixing carpet, vinyl sheet, etc. above the cover to match with the finish of the floor.

Floor outlet boxes shall be waterproof when fully closed. Appropriate rubber grommet for
cable protection shall be available for cable outlets from the floor base. The grommets shall
have an automatic lock function that prevents the cables from getting cut should traffic pass
over the box. The trap shall be fully reversible to allow for change of direction of cable exit
without the need to remove the trap frame.

The floor outlet boxes shall have a fully flexible plate configuration within them to ensure
that difficult configurations are achieved with ease.

Service outlet boxes for raised floor trunking system shall comprise an electro-galvanized
steel base frame to be installed in the raised floor tile. A die cast zinc alloy service outlet
frame and trap shall be mounted in the base frame. The base unit, service outlet frame and
traps shall have an oven baked epoxy powder paint finish for protection against rust and
corrosion. Provide flexible conduit of minimum 3 meter length to connect the service outlet
box to the raised floor trunking.

ELECTRICAL BOXES AND FITTINGS

SECTION 26 05 33.13 - 4

MINISTRY OF HOUSING
Western Sector Projects
Sitework & Infrastructure
OMRANIA and ASSOCIATES

Project Specification

Provide service outlet boxes and junction boxes for under floor ducting system, constructed
from high pressure zinc alloy die casting base frame and fixed to heavy gauge hot-dip
galvanized steel base plate adequate in strength and performance. These boxes shall comply
with the following requirements:
1.

The design of the base frame shall cast the whole unit in one piece without any
joints/fabrication to prevent corrosion and concrete slippage into the box during casting
of concrete or screeding. The boxes shall be constructed with provisions for ducting or
conduit access on all four sides. Unwanted entries shall be blanked off with detachable
side blanks. All exposed portion of the boxes shall be epoxy coated.

2.

Cover for service outlet boxes shall be made of high pressure zinc alloy die casting
provided with suitable hinges designed to enable the trap cover to open through 180
degrees and giving access at all times to the power, data, telephone and other outlets.

3.

Covers for service and junction boxes shall be made of high pressure zinc alloy die
casting secured by counter sunk screws. The covers shall be provided with recess to
accept the same floor finish.

4.

All boxes shall be adjustable in height, independent of the ducting system to take
account of difference in floor / screed thickness.

5.

Adequate segregation shall be provided between service runs within junction boxes by
using cross-over bridges and rigid compartments.

6.

Cables emerging from service outlet boxes shall be protected against damage by means
of nylon cable-exit grommets or equivalent and approved material and shall be reversible
to close position when not in use. The lifting handle and cable grommets shall be
provided in opposite sides of the trap cover to allow easy access to lifting handle and to
avoid damage of the cable insulation.

All floor outlet boxes shall be complete with waterproof gasket and circuit protective
conductors between the covers and the boxes.

Provide combination of slab boxes under raised floor and PVC grommets flushed with raised
floor tile when required and shown on the drawings for raised floor trunking system. The slab
box shall be constructed from hot-dip galvanized sheet steel suitably sized to accommodate
all power, data, telephone and other outlets fixed on top cover plate or on the sides as
required and approved by the Engineer. The grommets with lid shall be suitable for the raised
floor tile and have opening sufficient to allow passage of all the cables and plugs through it.

2.07

CONDUIT BODIES

Provide galvanized conduit bodies of types, shapes and sizes such as capped elbows and service
entrance elbows to suit respective locations and installation, with corrosion-resistant screws for
fixing.

Conduit bodies and covers shall be constructed from the same material and shall have the same
finish or protective coating as that of associated conduits.

Conduit bodies shall be appropriately threaded for conduits and equipped with corrosion
resistant screws for fixing inspection covers.

Weatherproof conduit bodies and covers shall be provided with corrosion-free epoxy powder
coat, to provide resistance again corrosion. Covers shall be gasketed.

ELECTRICAL BOXES AND FITTINGS

SECTION 26 05 33.13 - 5

MINISTRY OF HOUSING
Western Sector Projects
Sitework & Infrastructure
OMRANIA and ASSOCIATES

2.08

Project Specification

FITTINGS

Provide corrosion-resistant fittings for electrical boxes such as punched-steel box knockout
closures, conduit locknuts, malleable iron conduit bushings, offset connectors, covers of types
and sizes to suit respective uses and installation.

Covers of junction/pull boxes, cabinets/enclosures, etc. shall be of the same thickness and
material as that of the box and shall be reinforced where required due to size. Screws for covers
shall be stainless steel or high quality brass.

PART 3:
3.01

EXECUTION

PREPARATION

Determine exact locations of outlets on site after co-ordination with architectural, furniture and
equipment layouts.

Locations of junction/pull boxes and other fittings and accessories are generally not shown on
the drawings, but contractor shall provide these in compliance with applicable requirements,
ease of maintenance, manufacturers written instructions and recognized industry practices.

3.02

GENERAL

Coordinate installation of electrical boxes, fittings and cabinets/enclosures with wire/cable and
raceway installation work.

Provide knockout closures in all types of electrical boxes and cabinets/enclosures to cap unused
knockout holes where blanks have been removed.

Install all types of boxes and conduit bodies at accessible locations to ensure easy installation
and maintenance of electrical wiring.

Provide electrical and earth connections for all types of electrical boxes and cabinets/
enclosures.

Fastenings for all types of exposed/surface mounted electrical boxes shall not penetrate more
than 30 mm into reinforced concrete beams or more than 20 mm into reinforced concrete joists
and shall not contact main reinforcing steel.

All types of outlet boxes and conduit bodies shall be supported at 150 mm (approx) from
each side.

3.03

OUTLET BOXES INSTALLATION

Provide interior or weatherproof outlet boxes for each light fixture, receptacle, equipment
connection and other conduit termination points.

Avoid using round boxes where conduit must enter through side of box, which would result in
difficult and insecure connections when fastened with locknut or bushing on rounded surface.

Fasten boxes rigidly to substrate or structural surfaces, or solidly embed electrical boxes in
concrete or masonry.

Boxes and supports shall be fastened with toggle bolts on hollow masonry units and with
machine screws or welded studs on steel work.

ELECTRICAL BOXES AND FITTINGS

SECTION 26 05 33.13 - 6

MINISTRY OF HOUSING
Western Sector Projects
Sitework & Infrastructure
OMRANIA and ASSOCIATES

Project Specification

In open overhead spaces, cast metal boxes threaded to raceways need not be separately
supported except where used for fixture support. Support cast metal boxes having thread-less
connectors and sheet metal boxes directly from the building structure or with bar hangers.

Where conduit supported outlet boxes are installed and conduit is suspended from the structure
with hangers, attach hangers to raceways on opposite sides of the box and support with
approved fasteners not more than 1 m measured each side from the box.

In suspended ceilings where outlet boxes support fixtures in which the ceiling suspension
system does not have sufficient strength to prevent visible deflection of the ceiling surfaces,
boxes shall be supported by structural members, secured to the building structure.

Covers of outlet boxes shall not be used to support fixtures.

Locate boxes in hung ceiling spaces so that they do not interfere with the removal of ceiling
tiles or equipment.

Where outlet boxes are installed flush in exposed concrete blocks in finished areas, blocks
shall be cut by using appropriate tools as approved by the Engineer. Ensure that openings are
cut to fit boxes so that edges of openings are not visible after installation of cover plates. The
use of mortar to patch oversize or ragged openings will not be permitted.

Do not mount boxes between the same pair of studs, on opposite sides of sound-rated
partitions. Seal spaces between boxes and gypsum board with acoustical sealant.

Outlet boxes shall be secured by sheardized class 1 or stainless steel screws of a minimum
size of 30 mm x No.8 or equal.

3.04

JUNCTION/PULL BOXES INSTALLATION

Requirement for pull boxes shall be determined based on maximum allowable conduit runs to
facilitate the pulling-in of cables/wires, as described in section 26 05 33 (Electrical Raceways).

Where pull boxes (existing and new) are connected to conduits running underground in the site,
they shall be provided with suitable provision for draining.

Locate junction and pull boxes so as to be accessible at all times. Boxes may be installed in
mechanical, electrical, storage or janitor rooms or in hung ceiling space.

Provide access hatches for junction/pull boxes installed in ceiling spaces unless ceiling tiles
are of lay-in or snap-in type.

Locate junction and pull boxes so that piping, ductwork or equipment will not restrict or
block access.

Cables connected to terminals or passing through boxes shall be identified on the strip and by
cable markers.

Terminal strips may be omitted where there are less than 3 connections in a junction box, but
all conductors shall be identified by cable markers.

Terminals may be omitted for through cables which are not broken at a junction box.

3.05

FLOOR OUTLET BOXES INSTALLATION

ELECTRICAL BOXES AND FITTINGS

SECTION 26 05 33.13 - 7

MINISTRY OF HOUSING
Western Sector Projects
Sitework & Infrastructure
OMRANIA and ASSOCIATES

Project Specification

Mark the locations of all service outlet boxes and junction boxes on the floor slab as per
approved shop drawings, and review all practical aspects before start of installation.

Cover junction boxes and service outlet boxes in under floor ducting system with the
disposable screeding lids, approximately leveled and tapped to ensure no cement/mortar gets
into the boxes during screeding.

Adjust floor outlet boxes so that closure plates are flush with the surface of the floor tile, or
the floor if carpeting is specified. Provide under floor duct fittings and outlets or single flush
outlets with waterproof covers, as indicated on the drawings.

END OF SECTION

ELECTRICAL BOXES AND FITTINGS

SECTION 26 05 33.13 - 8