Junction Boxes
Description
Junction boxes are enclosures in which electrical circuits such as electrical wirings for different sections of building are connected to other circuits. They are considered integral to the circuit protection system. Junction boxes get power from an existing source and provide them to a predetermined circuit. An electrical panel is considered as a junction box. Junction boxes consist of a safety switch, which during an emergency, can shut down the electrical connections within the box. They also include terminal devices like convenience outlet, control switches, or connection point for built in light fixtures. They are usually made of plastic or metal.
Types
Electrical junction boxes are basically of two types:
Metal junction boxes
Plastic junction boxes
Other types of junction boxes are:
Advantages
The advantages of junction boxes are:
Protects the connections and provides easy access
Reduces the number of cables required by providing multiple connections from a single source
Larger and more spacious than conduits
Generates sparks (which can be interpreted as a warning signal), when a junction is overloaded; prompt remedial action can restrict the amount of damage
Applications
Junction boxes are employed to connect cables to lighting points, sockets, domestic electrical wirings, extension circuits, support switches, and outlets. Junction boxes are commonly used in telecommunication circuitry. Their applications include industrial control system, commercial and residential applications. Industrial applications of junction box cover material handling systems, conveyors, automotive assembly lines, robots and packaging and sorting equipment. They are used to carry out repairs, where a section of cables has to be replaced.