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RACO 506 3 in. x 2 in. Gangable Switch Box, Steel, Old Work
The RACO 506 is a 3 in. x 2 in. gangable switch box built from durable steel, offering a 2-1/2 in. deep cavity with eight 1/2 in. knockouts for flexible conduit entry. Designed for old work (retrofit) installations, this box features integrated plaster ears for secure flush mounting in existing plaster or drywall, plus RACO's Tigergrip feature for added device stability. UL Listed and configured for conduit wiring systems, the RACO 506 is a reliable choice for switch and receptacle installations in residential and commercial retrofit projects.
Key Features
- Trade Size: 3 in. x 2 in. box footprint with a 2-1/2 in. deep cavity for standard wall installations.
- Durable Construction: Steel body construction provides long-term strength and reliable device support.
- Gangable Design: This box is gangable, allowing multiple boxes to be joined together for multi-device switch and receptacle installations.
- Eight 1/2 in. Knockouts: Eight 1/2 in. KO's provide multiple conduit entry points for flexible wiring runs.
- Tigergrip: RACO's Tigergrip feature helps hold devices securely in place during and after installation.
- Old Work Ready: Engineered for old work (retrofit) applications, simplifying installation into existing finished walls.
- Plaster Ears: Integrated plaster ears position the box flush against plaster or drywall surfaces for a clean finish.
- No Bracket: Supplied without a mounting bracket, suited for conduit wiring systems.
Certifications & Compliance
- UL Listed
Technical Specifications
- Product Type: Steel Boxes and Covers
- Product Depth: 2.5 in
- Bracket Type: No Bracket
- Wiring System: Conduit
- Gangable: Yes
- Certified Listed: UL Listed
Typical Applications
- Old Work and Retrofit Wall Installations
- Switch and Receptacle Device Mounting
- Conduit Wiring Systems
- Residential and Commercial Construction
- Plaster and Drywall Wall Installations
Why RACO?
RACO builds the 506 switch box from steel for dependable strength, backs it with UL Listing for code-compliant performance, and equips it with practical old work features like plaster ears and Tigergrip device retention. For electricians handling retrofit and gangable box installations, the RACO 506 delivers a dependable, code-compliant solution for conduit wiring systems.
Manufacturer Resources
Spec Sheet
Product Specs
- list_batch:
- RACO-20260916
- Product Type:
- Switch Box
- Product Depth:
- 2.5 in
- Bracket Type:
- No Bracket
- Wiring System:
- Conduit
- Gangable:
- Yes
- Certified Listed:
- UL Listed
- Department:
- Electrical
- Product Subgroup:
- Electrical Boxes
- Product Group:
- Boxes & Enclosures
RACO RACO506 – Frequently Asked Questions
1) Can the RACO 506 switch box be ganged together for a two- or three-gang opening?
Yes. The RACO 506 is a gangable 3 in. x 2 in. steel box, so the sides come off and multiple boxes join to build a 2-gang, 3-gang or wider assembly for multi-device switch and receptacle runs. If you want a single-gang box that is not meant to be ganged, a non-metallic box like the Cantex EZ20SB 1-gang steel stud box is a different animal entirely.
2) Will a 2-1/2 inch deep steel switch box fit in my existing wall cavity?
The 506 runs 2-1/2 in. deep, which clears a standard 2x4 stud wall (3-1/2 in. actual depth) with room behind it. Where it gets tight is a furred-out wall, a 2x2 partition, or anywhere there is insulation board or block behind the finish. Measure your cavity before you cut the opening, because a 2-1/2 in. box in a shallow wall will not sit flush and the plaster ears will stand proud.
3) Is the RACO 506 for new construction or retrofit into a finished wall?
Retrofit. The 506 is an old work box with integrated plaster ears, so it mounts into an opening cut in existing plaster or drywall and sits flush off those ears rather than being nailed to a stud face. It ships with no bracket, which is exactly why it suits old work and conduit installs. For new construction where you are fastening to framing before the wall closes, you want a bracket box instead.
4) Is the RACO 506 meant for conduit or for NM cable?
Conduit. The 506 is configured as a conduit-wiring box with eight 1/2 in. knockouts for raceway entry, and it comes without cable clamps or a bracket. In a commercial or retrofit conduit run, you connect 1/2 in. EMT or flex through those knockouts with the appropriate connector. If you are pulling romex, you need a box with built-in NM clamps.
5) I am wiring with NM cable in a new residential wall, not conduit. Is the RACO 506 the right box?
The RACO 506 is configured for conduit wiring systems and is supplied without a mounting bracket, which suits old work retrofit openings where it is held by plaster ears. For a new residential run on wood framing, the Allied Moulded P-181 FlexBox is a 1-gang thermoplastic switch/receptacle box rated 18 cu. in. and intended for residential work. If the wall is steel stud, the Cantex EZ20SB EZ Box is a 1-gang non-metallic box made for steel stud framing.
6) Is the RACO 506 switch box UL Listed for commercial work?
The 506 is UL Listed, and it is used in both residential and commercial retrofit installations. Steel construction plus UL Listing is the combination most commercial and institutional specs call for on device boxes in conduit systems.
7) Should I use a steel box like the RACO 506 or a non-metallic one?
Steel is the choice when you are landing conduit and need the box bonded as part of the raceway, which is how the 506 is configured. Non-metallic alternatives serve different jobs: the Allied Moulded P-181 FlexBox is a 1-gang thermoplastic residential switch/receptacle box at 18 cu. in., the Allied Moulded 2302-NKV is a 2-gang fiberglass reinforced box, and the Cantex EZ20SB is a non-metallic 1-gang box for steel studs. None of those gang the way the steel 506 does.
8) Does the RACO 506 come with a mounting bracket or do I need anything else?
No bracket is supplied with the 506. It mounts off its own plaster ears into the cut opening, so for a typical old work install you also need old work supports or box clips if the wall material will not carry it, 1/2 in. conduit connectors for the knockouts, and your device plus cover plate. Those are ordered separately.
9) Will a standard toggle switch and cover plate fit the RACO 506?
Yes. The 506 is a 3 in. x 2 in. device box, which is the standard single-gang switch box footprint, so any standard toggle switch, duplex receptacle, decorator device and matching single-gang cover plate mount to it. Gang two together and you cover with a 2-gang plate.
10) I need a two-device box in one piece instead of ganging two RACO 506 boxes. What should I use?
The RACO 506 is a gangable 3 in. x 2 in. box, so two of them can be joined to carry two devices. If you would rather set a single one-piece enclosure, the Allied Moulded 2302-NKV is a 2-gang electrical switch box in fiberglass reinforced construction. Note that it is non-metallic, so it does not bond through the box the way the steel 506 does on a conduit system.
11) What holds the switch or receptacle tight in a RACO old work box?
RACO's Tigergrip feature in the 506 grips the device mounting screws so the switch or receptacle stays put while you are setting it and does not loosen afterward. That matters in old work, where the box is supported by plaster ears against the wall surface rather than fastened to framing, and a loose device will rack the whole box.
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Does the RACO RACO506 come with a warranty?
Absolutely. The RACO RACO506 is backed by a manufacturer’s warranty.
For full warranty terms, check the product documentation or Contact Us.
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