Wall faceplate height

[chiefred]

I am in California---I believe code for measuring and installing wall plates 13.5" to center from the floor. However. I have always tried to match electrical or existing faceplates already in the location. I dont think I have found more than three jobs that have had the same height.

What does everyone else do, follow code or line them up with existing plates?

Thanks

also does anyone have a recommendation for mud rings? I use the AT-90 brass rings as I think they are the simplist to use, but they are expensive--I will not use the cheap tin bend-able mud rings

 

[franklin97355]

Have you tried the plastic mud rings?

 

[chiefred]

You mean like these?

http://www.twacomm.com/Catalog/Model_442054.htm?sid=MN3XC0BV022Q8NVRCLWNXN8HS9LN8ML1

 

[franklin97355]

I've used something like that but those are designed to be added after the sheetrock is in place if you missed an outlet or they want one in a new place. I'll see if I can find a link to what I'm talking about.

 

[franklin97355]

There were several different makers but this is what I was thinking of. (not this specific one but the type)

http://www.hometech.com/techwire/wallboxlv.html

 

[chiefred]

Specifically I am talking about going in after the space is constructed and doing additional cabling.

 

[franklin97355]

Then the ones you pointed to are what I would use.

 

[chiefred]

the caddy sc200r looks usable but have you had any experience installing it?

 

[chiefred]

the reason I am asking is sometimes the plastic rings have enough external material exposed on the wall that when you place a faceplate on it there is a gap between wall and faceplate.

 

[Jtodd]

cheifred,

I'm guessing that the Caddy MPLS are what you would consider the cheap bendable tin type, but I've been using them for years, and never had a problem with them. It's all I'll use anymore (or should say have been for quite some time).

Justin T. Clausen
Physical Layer Implementation
California State University, Monterey Bay

 

[franklin97355]

Those are Carlon but they are close to the ones I use. I got my last batch from Mike Sandman along with a marking template.

 

[chiefred]

I have had customers that move there equipment and forget about the length of the patch cords and loosened the mudring and faceplate---I hate go-backs and trying to justify who should pay.......

On the measuring side--this is a neat little product-for exact measurment to existing wall plates.

http://www.siemon.com/us/company/press_releases/01-11-01-mountit.asp

Anyone used this?

 

[skip555]

the siemans device looks spiffy but I just use a scrap piece of wood or conduit make a mark with a sharpie and go from there

 

[chiefred]

What do you do about the differences in height on existing plates and code requirements ---do you follow code or keep the faceplates even with existing plates?

 

[skip555]

low voltage has never been inspected around here so I always go with existing.

if your being inspected then you better follow code (but wouldnt the electrcian have to move his to ? )

 

[Jtodd]

I was under the impression that ADA requirements were the contorling factor here, not code.

Justin T. Clausen
Physical Layer Implementation
California State University, Monterey Bay

 

[chiefred]

ADA requirements ????

 

[Jtodd]

Yeah, Americans with Disablities Act. If I remember right, it requires that outlets (both power and communications) be no lower than 15 or 18" (can't remember which off the top of my head) on center, AFF.
I saw at one point that a manufacture had put in their liturature that their surface mount outlet box was ADA compliant, and it made me curious. Ended up call the manufacture and ordered the ADA manual on CD. Talk about a snoozer....ZZZZZZZZZZ.

Justin T. Clausen
Physical Layer Implementation
California State University, Monterey Bay

 

[dhnl]

look in your BICSI TDMM manual. It explains all about this.

 

[Jtodd]

hints on chapter and verse? I don't remember seeing it.

Justin T. Clausen
Physical Layer Implementation
California State University, Monterey Bay