GB2639173A - Wiring back box - Google Patents

Abstract

A wiring back box 100 comprises a back portion 102 and a wall portion 104 defining an inner connection space 106, a face plate receiving opening 108 and face plate or fascia fixing means 112, the back box further comprises wire protector means 120 operable to provide protection for wiring or cables from screws when the face plate is fixed to the back box thus preventing damage to wires or cables from screws. The face plate fixing means may be a threaded aperture for receiving a screw. The wire protection means may be in a first stowed position as shown in Figures 3A-3D or in a second deployed position as shown in Figures 4A-4D. The wire protection means may be formed in the back or side walls of the backbox. The wire protection means may be defined by a cut or weakened region in the back or sidewalls of the back box.

Description

WIRING BACK BOX

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an outlet back box, of the type used with a socket or switch face plate to provide a wall-mounted socket or switch assembly. The present invention also relates to a method of installing and manufacturing an outlet back box.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Known back boxes are available in different sizes of width and depth, to suit different applications. They typically have a plurality of apertures pre-formed during manufacture which can be used for fixing the back box to a surface of a building structure. They also typically have knock out sections to form larger apertures which can be used for different functions to suit the installation, e.g. for wiring or cables to enter the back box. Back boxes are widely used in building construction and renovations and are utilised in different installations, such as, for example, electrical, data, telecommunications, alarms, audio visual, controls, and can be used for any installation in which cabling and wiring is involved. The outlet back box according to the present invention may be referred to and described in this patent application in relation to wiring back box. However, the outlet back box according to the present invention may be used as a back box in any of aforementioned installations and any installation in which cabling and wiring is involved.

[0003] With regard to electrical installations, in the construction and refurbishment of domestic and commercial buildings, electrical services terminate to an electrical power outlet or a switch, i.e. an electrical socket or a light switch. These items are commonly known as a socket or switch plate and are hereinafter referred to as a face plate.

[0004] In use, electrical wiring, extending from a surface of the fabric of the building, is fed through an opening into the back box and the back box is secured to the surface of the building fabric. The face plate is then fixed and secured to the back box, usually by a pair of fixing screws.

[0005] However, known back box and face plate assemblies are disadvantaged in that an installer has to fix the face plate to the back box blindly, i.e. when fixing the face plate onto the back box, the wiring inside the back box is not visible. Moreover, as the face plate is secured to the back box, the wiring in the back box can undesirably move within the back box. A problem commonly occurs when fixing the face plate to the back box wherein the fixing screws pinch and damage the wiring and, more specifically, damage the insulation on the wiring, exposing the core. Damage to the wiring is usually not evident until the electrical system is subsequently tested after installation. The damaged wiring causes electrical faults and electrical systems to fail resulting in dangerous occurrences that affect the installer or the end user. In modern electrical systems, the installation will trip out when made live protecting the installer, occupants, and building. However, some older installations that may be having face plates upgraded may not trip out when made live and can cause a dangerous situation, such as, for example, electrocution or fire.

[0006] Moreover, although these faults appear, on first impressions, to be relatively isolated and small, they are problematic as they only become apparent when circuits are made live. The faults are then problematic to find, especially on larger circuit installations. This can result in a labour-intensive and relatively expensive faultfinding exercise by an electrical installation engineer.

[0007] Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 2A, a typical known back box and face plate assembly 10 comprises a back box 12 and a face plate 14. Back boxes can be either surface mounted or counter sunk into a wall. The face plate 14 is fixed to the back box 12 using fixing screws 16. Electrical wiring 18 is received into the back box 12, from the fabric of the building 20, for connection to the face plate 14. The wiring 18 within the back box 12 curls up and fills the connection space void created within the back box 12 as the face plate 14 is pushed onto back box 12 and secured in place.

[0008] Referring, in particular, to Figures 2 and 2A, the wiring 18 is also often damaged (D) compressed and/or crushed by fixing screws 16, as the face plate 14 is fixed to the back box 12.

[0009] However, the fixing screws 16 need to be relatively long to enable the installer to line them up correctly to the fixing lugs. Also, relatively long fixing screws 16 are required to take up the gap if the depth of the hole formed in a wall, to receive the back box 12, has been cut too deep. Further, the wiring 18 needs to be relatively long to enable connection to the face plate 14. If the wiring 18 is too short the installer is unable to correctly tighten the cables into the termination points in the back of the face plate 14 and therefore a proper electrical connection cannot be achieved. Therefore, neither the fixing screws 16 nor the wiring 18 can be shortened to attempt to avoid damaging the wiring 18.

[0010] Therefore, there are substantial and significant disadvantages with known back box and face plate assembles, wherein wiring is often damaged during fixing of the face plate to the back box causing faults and potentially dangerous occurrences that are undetectable until a full electrical system check is undertaken. Fault finding checks then need to be undertaken which can be time-consuming, labour-intensive, relatively expensive and cause down-time the electric supply or network.

[0011] Accordingly, there is a need in the industry for means which enables a back box and face plate assembly to be installed without causing damage to wiring or cables.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wiring back box comprising: a back portion and a wall portion defining an inner connection space, and a face plate receiving opening; and face plate fixing means; wherein the electrical connection back box further comprises wire protector means operable to provide protection for wiring disposed in the connection space.

[0013] The face plate fixing means may comprise a threaded aperture for receiving a thread of a face plate fixing, and the inner connector space advantageously comprises a face plate fixing receiving space for receiving a said face plate fixing, the wire protector means advantageously operable to provide a barrier to said wiring being disposed within the face plate fixing receiving space.

[0014] The wire protector means is advantageously displaceable between a first position and a second position, wherein the second position provides the barrier to said wiring being disposed within the face plate fixing receiving space.

[0015] In the first position, the wire protector means advantageous forms part of at least one of the back portion and wall portion.

[0016] In the first position, the wire protector means advantageously has a base and elongate member profile extending from the base portion, and wherein the elongate member profile is advantageously defined by a cut or weakened region within at least one of the back portion and wall portion, and wherein the wire protector means is continuous with at least one of the back portion and wall portion through the base.

[0017] The wire protector means is operable such that, in use, the wire protector means is advantageously deformable about the base into the second position in which the elongate member profile provides a barrier extending upright from at least one of the back portion and wall portion to which it is fixed through the base.

[0018] The elongate member profile advantageously comprises an upper portion and a lower portion disposable at an angle relative to each other.

[0019] The wire protector means may comprise a plurality of wire protectors.

[0020] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a socket or switch assembly comprising a wiring back box as claimed in any of the preceding claims and a face plate operable to be fixable to the electrical connection back box.

[0021] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of installing a wiring back box, according to the first aspect of the present invention, to a surface having electrical wiring extending therefrom, the method comprising: deforming the elongate member profile about base to displace the wiring protector from the first position to the second position and thereby provide a barrier to electrical wiring being disposed in the face plate fixing receiving space; receiving said electrical wiring into the connector space; and fixing the electrical connection back box to said surface.

[0022] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a wiring back box, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the method comprising: providing a sheet of metallic material; forming the sheet of material to provide a back portion and a wall portion, thereby forming an open box having an inner connector space; providing surface fixing means; providing face plate fixing means; and forming a cut or weakened region as an elongate member profile in at least one of the back portion and a wall portion, wherein the elongate member profile has a base which is continuous with at least one of the back portion and a wall portion, wherein the elongate member profile is deformable about its base, such that, in use, it is displaceable into a position in which to provide a wiring protector to act as a barrier to wiring being disposed within the face plate fixing receiving space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which: [0024] Figure 1 is a drawing showing a cut-away view of a known face plate and back box assembly, according to the prior art, with wiring compressed, curled and entangled within the connection space inside the back box; [0025] Figure 2 is a drawing showing an open back box, according to the prior art, with damaged wiring caused by a previously fitted face plate; [0026] Figures 2A is a drawing showing an enlarged view of the damaged wiring of the prior art back box of Figure 2; [0027] Figures 3A to 3D are drawings showing cut-away views of different embodiments of a back box according to the present invention, with wire protectors in a first position; [0028] Figures 4A to 4D are drawings showing cut-away views of the different embodiments of the back box, of Figures 3A to 3D, respectively, with wire protectors in a second position.

[0029] The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0030] Referring to Figures 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D, different embodiments of a wiring back box 100, according to the present invention. Each embodiment of the back box 100, according to the present invention, comprises a back portion 102 and a wall portion 104, which are formed into an open box structure. The drawings show a part cut-away view of one side of the box structure to focus on the invention of the present application. The back portion 102 and the wall portion 104 define an inner connection space 106 which, in use, receives and accommodates wiring from outside the back box 102 and receives the termination connectors on the back of a fixed face plate to which the wiring is connected, in accordance with known, prior art, back boxes.

[0031] The back box 100 is formed as an open box structure having a face plate receiving opening 108. An abutment edge 110 extends around the face plate receiving opening 108.

[0032] Face plate fixing means 112 are provided in the form of a fixing tab 114 having a threaded aperture 116 extending through the fixing tab 114. Although only one fixing tab 114 is shown in the drawings, a plurality of fixing tabs 114 are typically used in known back boxes, which generally have at least two opposing fixing tabs 114. The threaded aperture 116, of the fixing tab 114, is operable to receive a threaded fixing screw (not shown).

[0033] In use, a face plate (not shown) is fixed to the back box 100, in the same way as known face plate and back box assemblies, by abutting the back face of the face plate against the abutment edge 110, of the back box 100. The face plate is fixed to the back box 100 using threaded fixing screws (not shown) which engage with the threaded aperture 116, of the fixing tab 114.

[0034] The inner connection space 106 comprises a face plate fixing space 118, in the vicinity of the fixing tab 114, in which the threaded fixing screws are received as they extend through the threaded aperture 116, of the fixing tab 114.

[0035] Referring to Figures 3A -3D, 4A-4D, and 5A-5B, the back box 100, according to the present invention, further comprises wire protector means 120. The wire protector means 120 may comprise a single wire protector 122, or a plurality of wire protectors, for example 122A and 122B.

[0036] Referring to Figures 3A-3D, 4A-4D, and 5A-5B, different positions and arrangements of a wire protector 122, or plurality of wire protectors 122A and 122B are shown, according to the back box of the present invention. The black box 100 in each of Figures 3A-3D corresponds with the black box in each of Figures 4A-4D, respectively, with respect to positions and arrangements of a wire protector 122, or plurality of wire protectors 122A and 122B.

[0037] Figures 3A-3D show wire protectors 122 in a first position in which they are, at least substantially, on the same plane as the back portion 102 or wall portion 104 in which they are formed. This first position is the normal position in which the wire protectors 122 are disposed during manufacturing and supply of the back box 100. The, or each, wire protector 122 is positioned such that, in use, it can be activated to protect wiring disposed in the inner connection space 106 from being damaged by a face plate threaded fixing screw (not shown) as it enters the face plate fixing space 118.

[0038] Each wire protector, 122, has a base 124 and an elongate member profile 126 extending from the base 124.

[0039] Referring to Figures 3A-3D, the back box 100, according to the present invention, is manufactured to define the elongate member profile 126 as a cut or weakened region within the back portion 102 or wall portion 104. The elongate member profile 126 is continuous with the back portion 102 or wall portion 104 in which it is formed, through the base 124. That is to say, the elongate member profile 126 is homogenous with the back portion 102 or wall portion 104 in which it is formed, through the base 124.

[0040] Referring also to Figures 4A-4D, upon installation of the back box 100, the, or each, wire protector 122 is activated into a second position by pushing (or lifting) the elongate member profile 126 out of the back portion 102 or wall portion 104 in which it is formed. The elongate member profile 126 is bent about the base 124 into a relatively upright or perpendicular second position relative to the back portion 102 or wall portion 104 in which it was formed, such that it provides a barrier 128 against the disposal of wiring within the face plate fixing space 118. That is to say, the wire protector 122 provides a barrier 128 operable to separate the wiring, disposed in the inner connection space 106, from the face plate fixing space 118 and therefore prevent the threaded fixing screw (not shown) from contacting and damaging the wiring. Displacing the elongate member profile 126 into its second position creates a profile aperture 130 through the back portion 102 or wall portion 104 in which it was formed.

[0041] Referring to Figures 3A and 4A, the back box 100 comprises a pair of wire protectors, 122A and 122B. The wire protectors, 122A and 122B are disposed in the back portion 102. Each wire protector, 122A and 122B, has a base, 124A and 124B, respectively. For each wire protector, 122A and 122B, the width of the base, 124A and 124B, respectively, is less than the height of the elongate member profiles, 126A and 126B, respectively. The bases, 124A and 124B, are spaced apart by the face plate fixing space 118 and, in their first position, the respective elongate member profiles, 126A and 126B, extend outwardly from the bases, 124A and 124B, in opposite directions and in a parallel relationship relative to each other and substantially parallel to the wall portion on which the fixing tab 114 is disposed. Referring to Figure 4A, in use, the wire protectors, 122A and 1223, are activated into their second position by pushing (or lifting) the elongate member profiles, 126A and 126B, out of the back portion 102. The elongate member profiles, 126A and 126B, are bent about their respective bases 124A 124B, into the relatively upright or perpendicular second, such that they provide a barrier 128 against the disposal of wiring within the face plate fixing space 118. Displacement of the elongate member profiles, 126A and 126B, into their second positions, creates profile apertures 130A and 1303 through the back portion 102 in which they were formed. The wire protectors 122A and 122B provide a barrier 128 to wiring being disposed in the face plate fixing space 118, and thereby protects the wiring from damage caused by a threaded fixing screw.

[0042] Referring to Figures 3B and 4B, the back box 100 comprises a single wire protector 122 disposed in the back portion 102. The wire protector 122 has a base 124 and an elongate member profile 126 extending in a direction away from the face plate fixing space 118 and substantially perpendicular to the plane of the wall portion on which the fixing tab 114 is disposed. The width of the base 124 is less than the height of the elongate member profiles 126. Referring to Figure 4B, in use, the wire protector 122 is activated into its second position by pushing (or lifting) the elongate member profile 126 out of the back portion 102. The elongate member profile 126 is bent about its base 124 into the relatively upright or perpendicular second position, such that it provides a barrier 128 against the disposal of wiring within the face plate fixing space 118. Displacement of the elongate member profile 126, into its second position, creates a profile aperture 130 through the back portion 102 in which it was formed. The wire protector 122 provides a barrier 128 to wiring being disposed in the face plate fixing space 118, and thereby protects the wiring from damage caused by a threaded fixing screw.

[0043] Referring to Figures 3C and 4C, the back box 100 comprises a pair of wire protectors, 122A and 122B. The wire protectors, 122A and 122B are disposed in the back portion 102. Each wire protector, 122A and 122B, has a base, 124A and 124B, and an elongate member profile, 126A and 126B, respectively. For each wire protector, 122A and 122B, the width of the base, 124A and 124B, respectively, is less than the height of the elongate member profiles, 126A and 126B, respectively. In their first position, the elongate member profiles, 126A and 126B, extend away from the face plate fixing space 118 at an angle relative to each other and at an angle relative to the wall portion on which the fixing tab 114 is disposed. Each elongate member profile, 126A and 126B, may extend from the face plate fixing space 118 at an angle of approximately 45° relative to the wall portion on which the fixing tab 114 is disposed, and an angle of approximately 90° relative to each other. Alternatively, each elongate member profile, 126A and 126B, may extend from the face plate fixing space 118 at an angle of approximately 60° relative to the wall portion on which the fixing tab 114 is disposed, and an angle of approximately 60° relative to each other. In a further alternative embodiment, the elongate member profiles, 126A and 126B, may extend from the face plate fixing space 118 at a different angle relative to the wall portion on which the fixing tab 114 is disposed, and a different angle relative to each other, depending on and to suit the installation and application. Referring to Figure 4C, in use, the wire protectors, 122A and 122B, are activated into their second position by pushing (or lifting) the elongate member profiles, 126A and 126B, out of the back portion 102. The elongate member profiles, 126A and 126B, are bent about their respective bases 124A 124B, into the relatively upright or perpendicular second position, such that they provide a barrier 128 against the disposal of wiring within the face plate fixing space 118. Displacement of the elongate member profiles, 126A and 126B, into their second positions, creates profile apertures 130A and 130B through the back portion 102 in which they were formed. The wire protectors, 122A and 122B, provide a barrier 128 to wiring being disposed in the face plate fixing space 118, and thereby protects the wiring from damage caused by a threaded fixing screw.

[0044] Referring to Figures 3D and 4D, the back box 100 comprises a pair of wire protectors, 122A and 122B. The wire protectors, 122A and 122B are disposed in the wall portion 104 on which the fixing tab 114 is disposed. Each wire protector, 122A and 122B, has a base, 124A and 124B, respectively. The bases, 124A and 124B, are spaced apart by the face plate fixing space 118 and, in their first position, the respective elongate member profiles, 126A and 126B, extend outwardly from the bases, 124A and 124B, in opposite directions and in a parallel relationship relative to each other. For each wire protector, 122A and 122B, the width of the base, 124A and 124B, respectively, is greater than the height of the elongate member profiles, 126A and 126B, respectively. Each base, 124A and 124B, extends in a direction substantially parallel to the direction in which the fixing tab 114 receives the threaded fixing screw (not shown). Referring to Figure 4D, in use, the wire protectors, 122A and 122B, are activated into their second position by pushing (or lifting) the elongate member profiles, 126A and 126B, out of the wall portion 104. The elongate member profiles, 126A and 126B, are bent about their respective bases 124A and 124B, into the relatively upright or perpendicular second position, relative to the wall portion 104 from which they are formed, such that they provide a barrier 128 against the disposal of wiring within the face plate fixing space 118. Displacement of the elongate member profiles, 126A and 126B, into their second positions, creates profile apertures 130A and 130B through the wall portion 104 in which they were formed. The wire protectors 122A and 122B provide a barrier 128 to wiring being disposed in the face plate fixing space 118, and thereby protects the wiring from damage caused by a threaded fixing screw.

[0045] Referring to Figures 5A and 5B, a wire protector 122 comprises an elongate member profile 126 having an upper portion 132 and a lower portion 134, wherein the lower portion 134 is attached to the base 124. In use, the elongate member profile 126 is formed such that the upper portion 132 is at an angle relative to the lower portion 134. This has the effect of localising the barrier provided by the wire protector 122 specifically to the face plate fixing space 118 which receives the threaded fixing screw and consequently provides more space outside the face plate fixing space 118 (i.e. in the inner connection space 106) in which the wiring is accommodated. Having the elongate member profile 126 formed such that the upper portion 132 is at an angle relative to the lower portion 134 also enables the face plate fixing space 118 to be substantially raised above the back portion 102 when the elongate member profile 126 is formed from the base portion 102 and is extending upright in its second position therefrom, as shown in Figure 5B; and is completely raised above the back portion 102 when the elongate member profile 126 is formed from the wall portion 104, as shown in Figure 5A.

[0046] Referring to Figure 5A, the elongate member profile 126 is formed from the wall portion 104 under the fixing tab 114. In use, in its second position, the lower portion 134 extends from the base 124 at an angle relative to the plane of the wall portion 104 to offset the upper portion 132 from the plane of the wall portion 104. The upper portion 132 extends from the lower portion 134 in a spaced apart parallel relationship relative to the plane of the wall portion 104. The face plate fixing space 118 is defined by the elongate member profile 126 and the plane of the wall portion 104, and the wire protector 122 provides a barrier to wiring being disposed in the face plate fixing space 118, and thereby protects the wiring from damage caused by a threaded fixing screw.

[0047] Referring to Figure 5B, the elongate member profile 126 is formed from the back portion 102. The base 124 is disposed to underlie the fixing tab 114. In, use, in its second position, the lower portion 134, of the elongate member profile 126, extends from the base 124 at an angle relative to the plane of the back portion 102 to offset the upper portion 132 from the plane of the wall portion 104. The upper portion 132 extends from the lower portion 134 in a spaced apart parallel relationship relative to the plane of the wall portion 104. The face plate fixing space 118 is defined by the elongate member profile 126 and the plane of the wall portion 104, and the wire protector 122 provides a barrier to wiring being disposed in the face plate fixing space 118, and thereby protects the wiring from damage caused by a threaded fixing screw.

[0048] According to another aspect of the present invention, a socket or switch assembly comprises a wiring back box 100, according to the aforementioned present invention, and a face plate operable to be fixable to the wiring back box 100.

[0049] According to another aspect of the present invention a method of manufacturing a wiring back box, according to the present invention and hereinbefore described, comprises providing a sheet of material. The material is preferably a metallic material such as, for example, a steel such as a galvanised steel or stainless steel which offer durability and corrosion resistance. The sheets of material may need to preparation which may involve processing the sheets of material to the required thickness and dimensions. This may involve cutting, shearing or stamping the material sheets. The material sheets are then formed into the desired shape of the back box. This will include forming the back portion and wall portion to provide an open box having an inner connector space. This may require tooling and dies set up to create the required open box shape. It may include the formation of holes, knockouts, mounting brackets and fixing tabs providing surface fixing means and a wiring opening. Forming cuts or weakened regions in the shape of the elongate member profiles and continuous base in at least one of the back portion and wall portion. This may be processed by stamping, pressing, hole punching, and/or knockout formation. The formed material pieces may undergo additional bending or folding to create flanges, mounting brackets, for installation. Following any required quality control checks, the manufactured back box is packaged for supply.

[0050] The back box 100, according to the present invention, provides protection for wiring disposed in the back box and thereby prevents damage occurring to the wiring during installation. Accordingly, the present invention provides a solution to the disadvantages of know back boxes and wiring installations. Furthermore, the back box 100, according to the present invention, speeds up the process of installation by eradicating the common issue of damaging the cables during the process of the installation and provides substantial and significant savings in cost and labour in mitigating the need for post-installation fault-finding checks associated with known back box wiring installations. Moreover, because the back box 100, according to the present invention, prevents damage to wiring it significantly improves safety, mitigating the potential of electrocution and fires caused by damaged wires.

[0051] While the invention has been described in terms of specific or particular embodiments, it should be apparent that alternatives could be adopted by one skilled in the art. For example, the back box 100 could include a single wire protector 122, or a plurality of wire protectors 122, which may include two or more. Also, for simplicity and the benefit of clarity, embodiments have been described herein showing a cutaway drawing of the back box 100 showing only one fixing tab 114 and one face plate fixing space 118, in the vicinity of the fixing tab 114, in which a threaded fixing screw is received. It will be appreciated that there will usually be at least two fixing tabs 114 and a face plate fixing space 118, in the vicinity of each fixing tab 114, in which a threaded fixing screw is received, usually located on opposite sides of the back box 100. Also, the back box 100 could include any combination of the wire protector 122 locations, formations and arrangements as described herein and shown in the figures. Furthermore, the wire protector 122 and the back box 100 and their parts or components could differ in appearance and construction from the embodiments described herein and shown in the figures, functions of certain components of the wire protector 122 or the back box 100 could be performed by parts or components of different construction but capable of a similar (though not necessarily equivalent) function, and various materials could be used in the fabrication of the wire protector 122 or the back box 100 and/or their parts or components. Accordingly, it should be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to any embodiment described herein. It should also be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed above are for the purpose of describing the disclosed embodiments, and do not necessarily serve as limitations to the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the claims.

Claims (11)

1. CLAIMS1. A wiring back box comprising: a back portion and a wall portion defining an inner connection space, and a face plate receiving opening; and face plate fixing means; wherein the electrical connection back box further comprises wire protector means operable to provide protection for wiring disposed in the connection space.
2. 2. A wiring back box as claimed in claim 1, wherein the face plate fixing means comprises a threaded aperture for receiving a thread of a face plate fixing, and the inner connector space comprises a face plate fixing receiving space for receiving a said face plate fixing, the wire protector means operable to provide a barrier to said wiring being disposed within the face plate fixing receiving space.
3. 3. A wiring back box as claimed in claim 2, wherein the wire protector means is displaceable between a first position and a second position, wherein the second position provides the barrier to said wiring being disposed within the face plate fixing receiving space.
4. 4. A wiring back box as claimed in claim 3, wherein, in the first position, the wire protector means forms part of at least one of the back portion and wall portion.
5. 5. A wiring back box as claimed in claim 4, wherein, in the first position, the wire protector means has a base and elongate member profile extending from the base portion, and wherein the elongate member profile is defined by a cut or weakened region within at least one of the back portion and wall portion, and wherein the wire protector means is continuous with at least one of the back portion and wall portion through the base.
6. 6. A wiring back box as claimed in claim 5, wherein, in use, the wire protector means is deformable about the base into the second position in which the elongate member profile provides a barrier extending upright from at least one of the back portion and wall portion to which it is fixed through the base.
7. 7. A wiring back box as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the elongate member profile comprises an upper portion and a lower portion disposable at an angle relative to each other.
8. 8. A wiring back box as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the wire protector means comprises a plurality of wire protectors.
9. 9. A socket or switch assembly comprising a wiring back box as claimed in any of the preceding claims and a face plate operable to be fixable to the electrical connection back box.
10. 10.A method of installing a wiring back box, as claimed in claims 1 to 8, to a surface having electrical wiring extending therefrom, the method comprising: deforming the elongate member profile about base to displace the wiring protector from the first position to the second position and thereby provide a barrier to electrical wiring being disposed in the face plate fixing receiving space; receiving said electrical wiring into the connector space; and fixing the electrical connection back box to said surface.
11. 11.A method of manufacturing a wiring back box, as claimed in claims 1 to 8, comprising: providing a sheet of metallic material; forming the sheet of material to provide a back portion and a wall portion, thereby forming an open box having an inner connector space; providing face plate fixing means; and forming a cut or weakened region as an elongate member profile in at least one of the back portion and a wall portion, wherein the elongate member profile has a base which is continuous with at least one of the back portion and a wall portion, wherein the elongate member profile is deformable about its base, such that, in use, it is displaceable into a position in which to provide a wiring protector to act as a barrier to wiring being disposed within the face plate fixing receiving space.