Every month, we pick the top Ideas That Work submitted by you, ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR readers. These ideas can't be found in any code or guidebook and are only learned or devised through years of experience and thinking, "There's got to be a better way to do this!" Please remember, the ideas presented in this article are for consideration only. Before using such ideas, make sure codes and safety standards have been fully adhered to.

Now, without further ado, here are this issue's Ideas That Work!

Patio block for anchoring floor boxes

If you are on a project with a large number of floor boxes that require both power and low-voltage, it helps to lay the floor boxes out on graph paper before starting. This helps to minimize conduit crossing and mix-up. You can even number the floor boxes and prep them with fittings before placing. You can then use patio blocks—after setting the right elevation and leveling them—to anchor floor boxes. A little prep can save headaches when installing multipurpose floor boxes.

Eric Branning
Fort Wayne, Ind.

Chase nipple for wire pulling

When stuck pulling wire into pipe, it is helpful to use a rigid coupling with a chase nipple threaded into it. This can be threaded onto the end of the connector you are using. The chase nipple’s rounded interior edge helps to protect the wire as it enters the pipe. The place this is the most beneficial is pulling into PVC connectors with jetline. This assembly stops the jetline from putting a groove into the PVC connector and reduces the risk of the wire becoming damaged during and after the pull.

Chris Kaufman
Sellersville, Pa.

IF YOU HAVE AN IDEA that has saved you time or money on the job, ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR ­readers would like to hear about it. Be sure to include a good photo of your idea—hand sketches are often hard to interpret. Note that some similar ideas are submitted by more than one person. In these cases, the one that is more clearly written and includes a photo is given precedence. Send your letter and photo to Jack Pullizzi, Ideas Editor, ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR, 3 Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 1100, Bethesda, MD 20814-5372, e-mail [email protected], or use the online submission tool at www.ecmag.com/ideasthatwork.

CASH AND TOOL PRIZES FOR WINNING IDEAS Each published author in Ideas That Work receives a $50 American Express gift card from ELECTRICAL ­CONTRACTOR. In addition, Southwire (www.southwiretools.com) will send the following set of electrician’s tools to each month’s first-place winner:

• Cable cutter
• Fish tape
• Long nose pliers
• Side cutting pliers
• Diagonal cutting pliers
• Pump pliers
• Screwdriver
• Wire stripper
• Crimpers
• Multimeter

DISCLAIMER: The ideas presented in this article are for consideration only. Before using such ideas, make sure codes and safety issues have been fully adhered to. ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR disclaims any liability from your use of these or any other ideas. ­ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR reserves the right to reprint the words herein at its discretion.