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2-deco style outlet covers and 2-gang old work boxes..

post #1 of 5
2/9/10 at 10:59am
Thread Starter 
My recent wiring project for my father (christmas present), presents me with this odd situation.

Bought a bunch of component video and HDMI faceplaces with the intention of wiring my father's LCD TV to the Dish DVR and DVD player and related HT stuff in-wall.  Bought the faceplates, cables, etc from monoprice.com and bought related home hardware stuff from Lowes.  

Including 2-gang old-work plastic junction boxes and 2 deco style outlet covers to match the component video faceplates.   The weird thing is the outlet covers aren't compatible with the junction box!   the outlet's screw holes don't match the junction box, and I had to drill 4 new ones. I found this strange.  I should of checked the light switch outlet covers to see if they line up or perhaps the basic electrical outlet covers but the deco-style covers aren't compatible.   Quite strange, as if nobody puts two GFCI outlets next to each other!?!?

Jay
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post #2 of 5
2/9/10 at 8:02pm
I'll hazard a few guesses/possibilities. IIUC

A work box's holes line up with switches and outlets and the outlet cover plates attach to the switches and outlets, not the boxes themselves.

A standard box has a "plaster ring" that the actual switches and outlets attach to, so it's holes match the ring, not switches or outlets.
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post #3 of 5
2/12/10 at 5:05am
Thread Starter 
Yes, the deco   component outlets match the covers that I bought but there was no way to attach the cover to the box, w/o drilling new holes.  However. somebody must make compatible boxes as I walked around my father's house and saw three gang boxes and two gang boxes, with the holes lined up.  

Jay
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post #4 of 5
2/15/10 at 7:16pm
Jay,

As said above, the Deco covers screw into the switch/outlet which in turn is screwed into the old work box. Monoprice may be selling some no standard plates in a Deco style which would lead you to your alternate solution.
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post #5 of 5
2/16/10 at 5:19am
Thread Starter 
I just drilled 4 holes which would line up with the holes that are already in place on the old style work box and all is well!   Don't we all love electrical anarchy!

Jay
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