What Is An Electronic Box? Classification, Applications & Installation
Electronic boxes are part of everyday life, yet most people ignore them until there is a problem. Be it behind your television, in the office, on the street, or mounted on walls, these boxes serve the purpose of power distribution, device housing, and circuit protection.
So what is an electronic box and small electronic device? How do the terms junction box, electrical panel, street side box, and so forth come into place?
In the following blog, we intend to elaborate on the terminology regarding boxes pertaining to electrics and electronics, their classifications, and operational mechanisms especially in the context of UK homes and infrastructure.
What Is An Electronic Box?
Let’s begin with the most fundamental query:
What is an electronic box?
Whatever electronic box is, it is bound to pertain to housing of electronic or electrical parts and components. An electronic box’s function is to enclose circuits, devices or connections which could be damaged due to dust, moisture, or other interference.
- In each case, an electronic box may:
- Contain small devices like timers, controllers, or sensors;
- Act as a terminal point for wiring connections;
- House relays, boards set, or power supplies.
All such boxes come in multiple sizes and shapes, ranging from devices that can be held in one’s palm to larger units that are mounted on walls. They may also be constructed from plastic, metal, or fibreglass, according to the environment and purpose.
What is the Name for a Small Gadget?
Moving on to the next topic:
“Small gadget, what is the name for a small gadget?” i
As mentioned previously, the most common nouns are “gadget” or “electronic module”. However, the context is more technical, terms are based on the function and differ like this:
- Controller – for example: thermostat module or motor controller
- Sensor unit – for instance, PIR sensor used for motion detection.
- PCB enclosure – housing for printed circuit board.
- IoT device – compact connected devices such as smart plugs or sensors.
All the above are usually enclosed in small electronic boxes which can be mounted on the wall, stand-alone, or portable.
What Are Electrical Boxes?
What is new here? Is this some kind of trick question?
Quote: “What Are Electrical Boxes”.
Definition of an Electrical Box:
Electrical boxes are classified as electrical enclosures used in a wiring system for:
- Casing of wire terminations.
- Installing a switch/ socket/ fixture.
- Enclosing an opening against injury and fire hazards.
You can locate these devices:
- Just behind the socket and switch.
- Cut in the walls where cables are routed.
- Suspended from the ceiling for light fittings.
Electrical building services systems require precise coordination of input/output interfaces and a facility’s managing wiring. Moreover, electrical boxes act as supports when mounting faceplates/cover plates/ fixtures.
What are the three types of junction boxes?
Some change sects. Let us now focus on junction boxes, which are devices that contain wires coming together for some functions.
“What are the three types of junction boxes?”
Although there are over thirteen variations in total, the following are the most notable ones:
1. Standard Junction Box
– Commonly placed in walls and ceilings
– Circular or square shape
– Used to safely join multiple wires
2. Weatherproof Junction Box
– Applied to damp places or the outdoors, like garden lighting.
– Contains gaskets and seals for keeping moisture out.
3. Through Box (Loop-in Box)
– Most commonly used in lighting circuits
– Makes it possible to wire multiple lights from a single point
Each type differs based on the location and types of wiring supported. In the UK, BS 7671 and other regulations provide using indoor and outdoor junction boxes.
What Is the Electricity Box Called?
The term“electricity box” can mean several things depending on the particular context. Now, “what is the electricity box called?”
In a home:
- Commonly known as a consumer unit, fuse box or electrical panel.
- May include circuit breakers or fuses for safety reasons.
- It can subdivide power to different circuits within your home.
In Public Areas:
- Is termed as a Distribution board or Distribution Box.
- May incorporate transformers, Switchgear or even meter boxes.
In the UK, the view of the average homeowner is a consumer unit, mostly mounted in a cupboard, hallway, and garage. The consumer unit is an electric panel for overcurrent protection and also serves as a control unit for the home power supply.
What Is The Difference Between A Junction Box And An Electrical Panel?
This one confuses a lot of people.
“What is the difference between a junction box and an electrical panel?”
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature | Junction Box | Electrical Panel (Consumer Unit) |
| Function | Joins and protects wiring connections | Distributes power to circuits |
| Size | Small (hand-sized) | Larger, wall-mounted |
| Contents | Wire terminals or connectors | Circuit breakers or fuses |
| Access Frequency | Rarely opened | Occasionally accessed (resets, checks) |
| Location | Walls, ceilings, junctions | Utility cupboard or wall-mounted area |
Think of the junction box as a branch point and the electrical panel as the main control point.
What Are the Electrical Boxes on Streets Called?
Now let’s look outside.
“What are the electrical boxes on streets called?”
You may have noticed grey or green boxes on sidewalks or next to street lights, and these are often referred to as:
1. Feeder Pillars
Power distribution equipment for street lights or traffic lights
Connected to underground cables
2. Cabinets or Telecom Cabinets
Used by Telecom companies (e.g. BT Openreach)
Store fiber or broadband equipment
3. Meter Boxes
Installed on the exterior of a building to house electricity meters
4. Distribution Boxes
Manage local electric supply in commercial or residential zones
These boxes are the responsibility of local councils or utility providers and are essential for public infrastructure.
Should You Replace Metal Electrical Boxes with Plastic?
Consider the following:
“Should you replace metal electrical boxes with plastic ones?”
Both forms have important advantages and setbacks.
| Type | Pros | Cons |
| Metal | Durable, fire-resistant, grounded | Heavier, requires grounding |
| Plastic | Lightweight, easy to install, non-conductive | Less durable, not for all applications |
Replace if:
- You’re doing a DIY project and need easier handling (plastic is simpler)
- Your existing metal box’s cover is rusted, damaged, or too small
- You are turning the old wiring into new rewiring standards.
However metal boxes might be more commonly used for their construction and fireproofing features in commercial spaces, industrial, or high-risk areas.
United Kingdom wiring laws and other rules should be checked and if there’s uncertainty, professional guidance sought.
How to Add an Electrical Box?
Ready to get hands on.
“How to add an electrical box?”
So here is a general guide for all indoor electrical wall boxes which fit most cases.
Needed materials:
- An electrical box that can be plastic or metal deemed suitable.
- Screwdriver
- Drywall splitter, rotary saw, or any cutter
- Voltage tester
- Clip and grommet cap equipped wires.
Steps:
- Disable power to the specific appliance via the circuit board.
- Mark the spot on the wall where you would like to place the box, set it in the right spots on the border of the attachments.
- Cover the space with a plasterboard (old-work boxes have tabs that grip plasterboard).
- Use a grommet or clamp to feed the cable into the box.
- Depending on the socket or switch, connect the required wires.
- Attach the socket or switch to the box.
The faceplate can be fitted and the power can be turned on again.
💡 Note: For the UK, electrical work might fall under Part P of the Building Regulations. Some DIY tasks can be done, but any work that involves new circuits, high-risk areas like bathrooms, should be done by a qualified electrician.
Closing Remarks
Although electronic and electrical boxes may lack sophisticated designs, they are crucial for areas such as home lighting and city-wide infrastructure. From figuring out what a junction box is, replacing a switch, to pondering the function of street boxes, they all serve one purpose, which is understanding the wired world around us.
To recap:
What is an electronic box? A box designed to shield electronic components or electrical connections.
What is a small electronic instrument referred to as? A sensor, gadget, or module.
What do electrical boxes refer to? Boxes meant for protecting or mounting wiring and devices.
What are the three types of junction boxes? Weatherproof, standard, and through boxes.
What single phase meter socket is called? In residences, it is called a consumer unit or fuse box.
Is it always advisable to switch from metal electrical boxes to plastic? Yes and in some situations based on the safety and requirements of the project.
Which one is an electrical panel? One connects wires, and the other distributes power.
When you look at the street, what are the electrical boxes called? These are feeder pillars, telecom cabinets, or meter boxes.
How is an electrical box added? It is best done properly with the power turned off and tools in hand, but a professional can be called in when needed.
From homes to highways, electronic and electrical boxes serve an important role in modern life – working behind the scenes, one wire at a time.
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