How to Use Gangable Electrical Boxes

By
Timothy Thiele
Timothy Thiele

Timothy Thiele has an associate degree in electronics and is an IBEW Local #176 Union Electrician with over 30 years of experience in residential, commercial, and industrial wiring.

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Updated on 06/29/22
Reviewed by
Larry Campbell
Larry Campbell
Reviewed by Larry Campbell

Larry Campbell is an electrical contractor with 36 years of experience in residential and light commercial electrical wiring. He worked as an electronic technician and later as an engineer for the IBM Corp. He is also a member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board.

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2-Gang, 3-Gang, and 4-Gang electrical boxes

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

Project Overview
  • Total Time: 5 mins
  • Yield: One double-gang box
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $5 to $10

Some electrical boxes are gangable—meaning that with a little manipulation, single electrical boxes can be connected (ganged) side-by-side to form a double-gang box, triple-gang, or even quad-gang boxes. The classic gangable box is metal and is sometimes called a "masonry box" because metal boxes are commonly used for masonry walls. In practice, though, these gangable metal boxes are used in all kinds of construction, including traditionally framed wallboard walls. Professional electricians keep a large stock of gangable boxes, since they can be used for many applications and eliminate the need to keep double-gang and triple-gang boxes on hand.

There are also plastic snap-together boxes available, but to find these you may have to shop at a specialty store that sells electrical supplies—they are not offered at most consumer building supply stores. The gangable boxes most readily available at home centers and hardware stores are the metal type, and they are fine for all applications. 

Gangable boxes are available in styles suitable for new construction as well as for retro installations—this latter type is sometimes known as an "old-work" box. Make sure to buy the type you need. 

The only tool required for ganging together metal boxes is a screwdriver.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Screwdriver

Materials

  • 2 gangable electric boxes

Instructions

  1. Remove the Side Plate Set Screw

    To join two or more gangable boxes together, you'll first need to remove the set screw from the side of the box that will be joined to an adjacent box. These set screws hold the removable side plates in place. Set the screws aside, because you will need them again to connect the boxes together.

    If you are joining two single boxes to make a double box, you'll be removing the right-side plate of one box and the left-side plate of the other box.

    Remove Side Plate Setscrew on a Gangable Box
    The Spruce / Timothy Thiele

  2. Remove the Side Plates

    On the side where you've removed the set screw, pull and twist the side plate gently until it comes free from the electrical box. On most styles, there are small interlocking bent flanges that keep the sides in place when the set screw is attached; when you remove the set screw, it becomes possible to pull the side plate free with a slight twist. On other box styles, the side plates may be held to the box with tabs and slots—here, you simply pull the side plate out to free it. 

    You won't need the side plates for the combined electrical box, so you can recycle them if you wish. Or keep them around as spare parts: Many handy homeowners have found surprising ways to put these little plates to use. 

    Remove Gangable Box Side Plate
    The Spruce / Timothy Thiele

  3. Join the Single Boxes

    Slide the electrical boxes together with their open sides facing one another. They will have bent tabs or slots that help them fit together securely. Make sure there are no gaps between the boxes because they must create a complete enclosure to be code-compliant.

    Secure the box joints with the set screws you removed earlier, and tighten them firmly with the screwdriver. The completed box is now ready to be installed. 

    Tip

    For some added security, take a 3-inch piece of #14 gauge wire, and form it into a U shape. Thread it through the two closest holes in the back, then use your pliers to twist and bend over. This will secure the boxes in three spots, the two screws, and the twisted wire.

    Combine Gangable Boxes
    The Spruce / Timothy Thiele