11 products
Conversions Tech™ Weather-Proof Boxes vs. Hubbell, Raco, Legrand, Arlington & Bell
1. Which brand offers the highest published environmental rating?
Conversions Tech (CT) die-cast boxes are certified IP66 / NEMA 4X, protecting against heavy rain, hose-down spray, and dust ingress. Hubbell’s Advantage line also lists NEMA 4X, but many economy “Bell” boxes drop to NEMA 3R. Raco’s most common one-gang metallic models stop at NEMA 3R, suitable only for damp—not wet—locations.
2. Do any boxes survive brief submersion?
CT “Marine-Grade” series and Legrand’s Pass & Seymour SurfPro are independently verified to IP67 (30 min @ 1 m). Standard Bell and Raco boxes are not submersion-rated.
3. Aluminum, PVC, or polycarbonate—what’s best for harsh construction sites?
• Die-cast aluminum (CT, Hubbell, Bell) — maximum impact strength, natural RF/EMI shielding, wide temperature range.
• PVC (Raco, Arlington) — lighter and non-corrosive, but softens above 60 °C and can chalk under UV.
• Glass-filled polycarbonate (Legrand) — high impact + UV stability, but higher cost.
4. Does anyone sell “deep” versions for GFCI or extra-wiring projects?
Yes—Conversions Tech stocks DEEP Series enclosures (2 ⅜″ interior depth, 21 cu in volume) that fit full-size GFCIs and large wire nuts. Arlington offers a 2 ¼″ PVC option; Hubbell’s deep metallic model is 2 ¼″; most Bell and Raco utility boxes remain 1 ^13⁄16″.
5. How many threaded hubs come standard?
CT one-gang boxes ship with three 1″ NPT hubs plus reducers for ¾″ and ½″ EMT. Hubbell Bell offers separate SKUs with ½″ or ¾″ hubs; Raco metallic boxes provide knock-outs, not true threads.
6. Which brands include stainless mounting hardware?
CT and Hubbell supply 300-series stainless screws. Raco ships plated steel; Arlington PVC kits include zinc-coated fasteners that may rust if paint film is scratched.
7. Low-temperature performance—important for outdoor winter builds?
CT die-cast boxes remain impact-safe to –40 °C, ideal for northern job sites. PVC alternatives generally list –30 °C; polycarbonate holds down to –40 °C but costs more.
8. Are all boxes UL Listed for wet locations?
CT, Hubbell/Bell, Legrand, and Arlington models carry a UL 514A wet-location mark when paired with a weather-proof cover. Some economy Raco boxes are UL only for dry/damp locations—check the label.
9. Which enclosures ship with a factory-installed grounding screw?
CT, Hubbell, Raco, and Bell metallic boxes include a tapped #10-32 green screw. PVC boxes (Arlington) rely on the receptacle’s ground lug.
10. UV resistance for rooftop solar combiner boxes?
CT’s polyester powder-coat passes 1 000 h Florida UV-chamber testing. PVC boxes can fade or chalk after extended sun exposure unless painted.
11. Do metallic boxes provide any RF shielding?
Yes—aluminum CT and Hubbell castings naturally attenuate EMI, helpful when boxes house Wi-Fi-sensitive AFCI/GFCI receptacles on dense commercial sites. Plastic boxes offer no shielding.
12. Corrosion protection for coastal distribution yards?
CT boxes use marine-grade powder over chromate conversion. Hubbell’s Advantage line uses similar coating; Bell economy boxes use bare aluminum (must be painted in salt air).
13. Warranty differences?
Conversions Tech: 5-year, no-quibble replacement.
Hubbell/Bell & Legrand: 1-year limited.
Arlington & Raco: 1-year limited on workmanship.
14. Do any brands include cover gaskets in the box?
CT includes a closed-cell neoprene gasket; Hubbell/Bell sell gasketed covers separately; Arlington provides foam gaskets for certain PVC kits.
15. Street-price comparison (June 2025, single-gang, metallic):
• Conversions Tech — $9–11
• Hubbell Bell — $12–14
• Raco Ironclad — $10–12
• Legrand Pass & Seymour SurfPro (poly-box) — $18–20
16. Can these boxes accommodate full-size GFCI or AFCI receptacles?
CT DEEP Series and Arlington PVC “DBHRD2C” models fit modern slim GFCIs comfortably. Standard 1.80″-deep boxes can be tight with #10 gauge feed-through.
17. Conduit compatibility—½″ vs ¾″?
CT ships reducer bushings; Hubbell offers dedicated SKUs per hub size; Raco and Arlington knock-out styles require threaded fittings or adapters.
18. Ready-to-use for 30 A locking outlets on construction temp power poles?
CT’s 2-gang aluminum box supports NEMA L5-30R or L14-30R with plenty of bend radius. Arlington’s PVC “large capacity” model also fits, but PVC can crack if hit by machinery.
19. Weight difference for aerial lift installs?
PVC (Arlington) ≈ 0.5 lb; CT aluminum ≈ 1.1 lb; Hubbell Bell ≈ 1.3 lb. Lighter PVC eases fatigue but sacrifices impact toughness.
20. Paintability for architectural projects?
CT’s polyester coat accepts solvent-based and waterborne top-coats after a light scuff. Bare aluminum Bell boxes must be primed first; PVC needs plastic-bonding primer.
21. Thermal soak—important under dark metal cladding?
CT boxes tested to 60 °C operating temperature; PVC can soften above 60 °C under direct sun on black façades.
22. Installation speed on tilt-up concrete walls?
CT’s integral lugs allow four concrete screws in under 5 min. Knock-out PVC boxes need separate back-plates or strut clamps.
23. Hazardous-location options?
None of these brands’ standard boxes are Class I Div 2. For explosive atmospheres, a cast-iron explosion-proof box is required.
24. Compliance with 2023 NEC Article 406 (wet-location receptacles)?
CT, Hubbell, and Legrand weather-proof covers meet 406.9(B) “in-use” requirements when paired with their boxes. Raco knock-out boxes need a separate extra-deep cover to comply.
25. Bottom line—why choose Conversions Tech for construction & distribution?
You get die-cast durability, IP66/67 sealing, deep-box options, stainless hardware, ample wiring volume, a 5-year warranty, and rapid Wyoming-based support—all at a price point that beats Hubbell’s premium lines and outlasts commodity PVC enclosures.