2 minute read
SLAB BOX™ a perfect fit
SLAB BOX™
a perfect fit
Despite their many shortcomings, galvanised steel downlight boxes have remained the industry standard since their inception. Installers tend to spend more time adjusting the box to suit their needs (and the site) than they do installing them. The Slab Box™ is Allbro’s answer to these challenges.
The contractor community has struggled for years with the same issues when it comes to installing downlights: the poorquality knockouts for conduit can lead to concrete seeping into the box, the process of alignment is costly for contractors and thick plastering is required for an even finish. Although not immediately visible, galvanised steel boxes do rust inside the slab.
The Slab Box™ solves multiple challenges. It’s compact, lightweight, strong and designed to save on installation costs. The enclosure is made from glass reinforced polyester, which can withstand temperatures ranging from -50˚C up to 200˚C, a necessary feature when dealing with the temperature fluctuations that come with housing a variety of LED lamps. This material is impervious to rust, ensuring a long lifespan. The Slab Box™ comes without pre-defined knockout holes, which keeps the content safe from seepage. Richard de Marcy Pugin was an early adopter of Slab Box™. “If you didn’t stuff those galvanised boxes with paper, the concrete would crush them. I’ve had that happen before. I’ve done an installation with 4 500 of these Slab Boxes, and haven’t had one failure”, he says. His company, Powerzone Electrical, has been using Slab Box™ since they hit the market.
“You don’t have to go back and mount the lid underneath and plaster over it. Once you strip the deck, your lights are all in place. This box is perfect for off-shutter decks as well,” he adds.
The Slab Box™ mount fits three downlight diameters and mounts directly to the shutterboard. The crosshairs moulded into the mount make it easy to mark its placement and ensure that it’s lined up correctly. The body of the Slab Box™ simply clips on to the mount. After feeding the conduit through and placing the lid, the Slab Box™ is secured to the rebar. This measure is what ensures perfect alignment in Slab Box™ installations: when the concrete is poured, the boxes don’t move at all.
The bevelled edge of the enclosure leaves it recessed into the concrete once it sets. This saves installers 70% on concrete plastering (screeding) needed on the ceiling.
Richard maintains that the Slab Box™ is the best downlight enclosure he’s used. “I’ll never go back,” he says, smiling.
Allbro +27 (0)11 894 8341 | new@allbro.com
Watch the video of Allbro’s discussion with Richard and find out why he’ll never change.
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