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RACO 8500 Gangable Steel Switch Box, 3 in. x 2 in., 2-1/2 in. Deep
The RACO 8500 is a gangable steel switch box measuring 3 in. x 2 in. with a 2-1/2 in. deep interior, engineered for conduit wiring systems in residential and commercial construction. This UL Listed box features eight 1/2 in. knockouts for flexible conduit entry and integrated plaster ears that allow the box to sit flush against finished wall surfaces. It ships without a mounting bracket for installations that rely on conduit support, and its gangable design lets installers join multiple boxes together to form multi-gang assemblies for switches and receptacles.
Key Features
- Trade Size: 3 in. x 2 in. box with a 2-1/2 in. deep interior sized for standard switch and device installations.
- Durable Construction: Steel box construction (Steel Boxes and Covers) delivers strength and long-term durability in conduit wiring applications.
- Gangable Design: Gangable construction allows boxes to be joined together to create multi-gang assemblies for multiple switches or receptacles.
- Eight 1/2 in. KO's: Eight 1/2 in. knockouts provide multiple conduit entry points for flexible routing on the job site.
- Plaster Ears: Integrated plaster ears help position the box flush with the finished wall surface for a clean installation.
- Wiring System: Designed for use with conduit wiring systems.
- Bracket Type: No Bracket, suitable for installations where the box is supported by conduit.
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
- Residential and Commercial Switch and Receptacle Installations
- Conduit Wiring Systems
- New Construction and Remodel Electrical Work
- Multi-Gang Device Assemblies
Why RACO?
RACO steel switch boxes are built for dependable, code-compliant performance in conduit wiring installations. The 8500's UL Listed steel construction, gangable design, and integrated plaster ears give electricians a versatile, durable box suited for both new construction and remodel work. Choose RACO for switch and device boxes engineered to perform reliably on the job site.
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 8500 – Frequently Asked Questions
1) Does the RACO 8500 come with a mounting bracket or nails for stud mounting?
No bracket. The 8500 ships with no bracket, which means it is meant to be held by the conduit runs entering it, or by other means you supply. If you need a box that fastens to a steel stud without conduit support, the Cantex EZ20SB EZ Box is a non-metallic steel stud box, and the Steel City Adjust-A-Box LXWOWC-25 is a bracketed gangable steel option.
2) Can I use a non-metallic box instead of the RACO 8500 on a romex job?
If the wiring method is nonmetallic cable rather than conduit, a non-metallic box is the usual choice, and there are two paths. The Allied Moulded P-181 FlexBox is a 1-gang thermoplastic residential switch/receptacle box with 18 cu. in. of volume. The Cantex EZ20SB EZ Box is a 1-gang non-metallic box made for steel studs. The RACO 8500 is specified for conduit wiring systems and is a steel box, which is what gives the conduit a metallic raceway path to the box.
3) What is the closest steel gangable alternative to the RACO 8500 switch box?
The Thomas & Betts LXWOWC-25 Steel City Adjust-A-Box is the nearest steel equivalent. Like the RACO 8500, it is a gangable steel switch box, so multiple boxes can be joined into multi-gang assemblies for switches and receptacles. The LXWOWC-25 is a 1-gang box in pre-galvanized steel from the Steel City Adjust-A-Box series, while the 8500 is a 3 in. x 2 in. box with a 2-1/2 in. deep interior, eight 1/2 in. knockouts, plaster ears, and no mounting bracket for conduit-supported installs.
4) How deep is the RACO 8500, and will it fit in a 2x4 wall?
Interior depth is 2-1/2 in. In a standard 2x4 stud wall (3-1/2 in. actual depth) that leaves room behind the box, so it fits with the plaster ears setting it at the finished wall face.
5) Will standard switch and receptacle plates mount to the RACO 8500?
Yes. It is a 3 in. x 2 in. single-gang switch box, the standard device footprint, so ordinary single-gang devices and wall plates mount to it directly.
6) Is the RACO 8500 box UL Listed for commercial inspection?
It is UL Listed steel box construction, which is what an inspector looks for on commercial conduit work.
7) I need a 2-gang box in one piece instead of ganging two RACO 8500 boxes - what should I use?
The Allied Moulded 2302-NKV is a one-piece 2-gang electrical switch box in fiberglass reinforced construction, so you set a single enclosure rather than joining two boxes. The RACO 8500 takes the other approach: it is a gangable 3 in. x 2 in. steel box, so you remove the side and join boxes to build up a 2-gang or larger assembly. Note the 2302-NKV is a non-metallic fiberglass box, while the 8500 is steel and specified for conduit wiring.
8) Which box should I use for a steel stud wall - the RACO 8500 or the Cantex EZ20SB?
The Cantex EZ20SB EZ Box is the one built specifically for steel stud framing as a 1-gang non-metallic box. The RACO 8500 ships with no mounting bracket, so it relies on the conduit for support rather than attaching to a stud, which is why it suits conduit runs rather than stud-mounted device work. Both are 1-gang-size device boxes, so the decision comes down to whether the box is being supported by the framing or by the raceway.
9) Is the Allied Moulded P-181 FlexBox a direct substitute for the RACO 8500?
No. The P-181 FlexBox is a thermoplastic 1-gang residential switch/receptacle box rated at 18 cu. in., intended for residential cable work. The RACO 8500 is a UL Listed steel box for conduit wiring systems, gangable, 2-1/2 in. deep, with eight 1/2 in. knockouts for conduit entry and plaster ears for a flush finish. They are both single-device boxes, but the wiring method and the box material differ, so they are not interchangeable on a conduit installation.
10) What do the plaster ears on the RACO 8500 do in a remodel?
The plaster ears bear on the finished wall surface and hold the box face flush when there is no bracket setting its depth. On a remodel where you are cutting into existing plaster or drywall, that is what keeps the device from sitting proud or recessed.
11) What is the part number to order the RACO 3 in. x 2 in. gangable steel switch box?
Order RACO model 8500. That is the 3 in. x 2 in. gangable steel switch box, 2-1/2 in. deep, eight 1/2 in. knockouts, no bracket.
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Does the RACO 8500 come with a warranty?
Absolutely. The RACO 8500 is backed by a manufacturer’s warranty.
For full warranty terms, check the product documentation or Contact Us.
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