Talk:Pattress

Merge request
I think that the page http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?title=Pattress should be merged with this one - there is much overlap. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 91.125.89.35 (talk • contribs)


 * It does say on that page that the content is GFDL licensed, however it's probably worth double-checking, because it also says on that site that at least some of the content came from Usenet. If the licensing question is sorted out, then I agree that this article could benefit from importing much of the material from the other wiki. 31.16.108.201 (talk) 23:07, 10 March 2012 (UTC)

Image requests
I think the image gallery of this article could benefit from the addition of an image of a typical US-style surface-mounted pattress box. 31.16.108.201 (talk) 23:08, 10 March 2012 (UTC)

Another request: The first two images should be replaced with newer, larger ones taken somewhere like on a retail shelf or personal work area. The current images are too small to show any meaningful detail or convey subject depth. --108.52.16.76 (talk) 00:39, 21 February 2013 (UTC)

US name
In the US these are called outlet boxes. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.162.99.170 (talk) 23:08, 20 February 2013 (UTC)

US and UK wiring is *very* different!
US and UK wiring is *very* different! Different again in Germany/Europe.

Most Wikipedia house-wiring articles should state which market is being discussed. At least put UK and BS (linked) near the top.

"a typical US-style surface-mounted pattress box."

The USA does not have "pattress boxes". We say junction box, device box, outlet box, or just box. Same in Canada, as far as I know.

A vast assortment of US-market outlet boxes: http://www.homedepot.com/b/Electrical-Electrical-Boxes-Conduit-Fittings-Boxes-Brackets/N-5yc1vZbohn

(If that link expires, find Home Depot, Electrical, Boxes.)

I messed with wires in the USA for decades before I ever heard the word "pattress". As far as I can tell, the word is used only in the UK and places with UK electrical traditions (such as Hong Kong). Not in Australia?

eta: mis-spelled 'pattress', must be autokerrect.

PRR (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 02:07, 17 December 2013 (UTC)

Copyright at http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?title=Pattress
Content there that's from usenet is posted only with authors' permission, so the GFDL license applies.

diyfaq.org.uk pages appear on the same site however and have a different history on which I can't usefully comment. 86.29.7.158 (talk) 08:32, 16 March 2015 (UTC)

Alternative Meaning
Working in the building Industry in the UK I would point out that usage of the word "Pattress" in the technical manuals for drylining (The White Book by British Gypsum,. The Drywall Manual by Siniat, and The Drywall Manual by Knauf, is always used to refer to a sheet of plywood or other material placed behind the plasterboard and fixed to the studwork, which is able to support screws or other fixings to enable services to be fixt into or onto the surface of the wall. e.g. photos on Pg 10 of,  , (PT-CS-802M - Plywood pattress for heavy-weight fixings) this meaning is now the dominant meaning asu used in the UK building industry and should be reflected in the article.

It is also defined as such in the Oxford English Dictionary: https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/pattress The pattress is the piece of material (usually plywood these days) fixed between the studs, the pattress box is a box fixed to a pattress - electricians have dropped the 'box' as a shorthand.

87.127.181.201 (talk) 09:53, 16 May 2017 (UTC)-Anruari-

Worldwide view
In an attempt to give this article more of a worldwide view on the subject, I have created a section for North America (into which I have moved the new work and old work sections) and one for Europe (into which I have moved the content from alternative systems). This is still far from complete.

In Europe, I know Belgium uses a different box size (with a certain degree of interchangeability with the 68-mm standard in the rest of Europe, but the center distance between two insert is 57 rather than 71 mm). However, I am not sufficiently familiar with the standard to write about it.

Since presumably the form factor for outlet boxes is driven by the plug standard (countries which adopted a plug standard already in use elsewhere likely also adopted the form factor for the inserts and boxes), India, South Africa, Brazil, Australia and Israel (maybe also Japan) would still be much-needed additions

Much (most?) of the Americas seems to use the North American system, although I have seen Italian 3-module inserts in Mexico (not sure what type the boxes were, as Italian 3-module inserts should fit into North American single gang boxes if the box is installed horizontally).

Parts of North Africa seem to use the Italian standard (I have seen 3-module Italian inserts, making it likely they import the outlet boxes from there as well).

Not sure at which point we can remove the Globalize template – I’d say we’re on our way, but not fully there yet. Further contributions are very welcome! --Michael-stanton (talk) 19:29, 5 June 2024 (UTC)


 * Added Belgium, based on information obtained by studying products on websites of Belgian hardware stores. --Michael-stanton (talk) 18:58, 6 June 2024 (UTC)