What is a standard European flush-mounting wall box?
Flush-mounting boxes for solid or hollow walls
An important consideration when choosing a flush-mounting box is whether it should be installed in a solid or hollow wall. The difference between the two is the way in which the box is secured in the wall.
A wall is 'solid' when the different layers of material (brickwork, concrete, etc.) are against each other without empty space. This makes the wall very strong and thick. Flush-mounting boxes for solid walls have right angles and a back plate that is attached to the masonry wall. You screw this back plate to the wall, and it keeps the flush-mounting box in place.
Hollow walls are walls with a thin outer layer, such as plasterboard (gypsum cardboard) on a wooden frame, or fibre cement board. Such a wall has less load-bearing capacity, and the attachment of your flush-mounting box is done in a different way. Flush-mounting boxes for hollow walls have rounded corners and a special clamp that grips the inside of the wall. This clamp ensures that the box remains firmly in place. They are designed to fit securely and firmly into these hollow spaces. They are circular plastic boxes. When built into a wall, they can hold and organize small electrical devices, power sockets or light switches.
Why is it used?
- The wall mounting box makes the electrical installation easier and safer for electricians.
- Electrical wires can safely be connected inside the box and keep the wall clean and safe from wires.
- Prevent damage to electrical wires from contact with sharp edges
- To prevent - and protect - people from touching the electrical wiring directly
- To keep the device, power socket or switch firmly in place, so it doesn’t wiggle or fall out
In most European countries, flush-mounting wall boxes are standardized. This makes it easier for electricians and homeowners to install or replace a device as they all fit the same type of box. The 68 mm round box is by far the most standardized and widely used:
- Shape: round
- Diameter hole in the wall: 68 mm
- Depth: 40 - 60 mm depending on the wiring space that is needed
Following Sentera products are suitable for wall mounting have mounting holes which are designed to accommodate standard European wall mounting boxes:
- Room sensors
- Flush mountable sensors
- Potentiometers (inset mounting)
- SDX and SDY fan speed controllers (inset mounting)
- RDCV and RDCZ fan speed controllers (inset mounting)
Two screws are required to secure the device to the wall mounting box, the enclosure will completely enclose the box. In case of flush mounting, they can be integrated into the EU wall mounting box. Only the front plate will be visible on the wall.