What Arlington Industries makes and why contractors choose it
Arlington Industries is a US manufacturer of electrical fittings, connectors and boxes that has supplied electricians and contractors since 1949. The company makes both metallic and non-metallic fittings, molds its own non-metallic parts, and builds the vast majority of its products in the USA. Almost everything Arlington designs is meant to save time on the jobsite and meet code with fewer steps, which is why products like the LV1 low-voltage bracket, the box extender, IN BOX and SNAP2IT connectors turn up on so many installs. The catalog runs to more than 2,000 products backed by hundreds of patents and patents pending.
Arlington low-voltage mounting brackets and boxes
Arlington low-voltage mounting brackets create an opening to mount a low-voltage wallplate without installing a full electrical box, which is how most data, phone, coax and speaker outlets get roughed in. You choose the bracket by how the wall is built and how many gangs you need:
- Nail-on brackets for new construction, mounted to a stud before the drywall goes up.
- Screw-on brackets for adding an outlet to an existing, finished wall.
- Recessed brackets when a bulky plug or connector needs to sit back from the wall surface.
- Hole-saw brackets that drop into a cut hole in finished drywall.
- Low-profile brackets for shallow walls and tight spaces.
Arlington also makes gangable low-voltage boxes and combination boxes that carry both line-voltage power and low-voltage cabling in the same opening. Brackets and boxes come in 1-gang through 4-gang sizes.
Arlington box extenders
An Arlington box extender brings an electrical box that sits too deep back out to the finished wall surface, so devices mount flush and the wiring meets code. Box extenders are the fix when tile, paneling, a backsplash or extra drywall leaves a receptacle or switch recessed below the wall. Arlington makes them in metallic and non-metallic versions and in 1-gang through 4-gang sizes, so one part corrects the setback without moving the box. This is one of the categories Arlington is best known for.
Arlington electrical boxes, floor boxes and fixture boxes
Beyond fittings, Arlington makes a full range of boxes for power, floor outlets and ceiling fixtures. Equipment and outlet boxes cover general enclosure needs, while specialty boxes solve specific problems on the jobsite.
Floor boxes
Arlington floor boxes put a power or low-voltage outlet in a finished floor, and the retrofit versions, like the FLBR series, install into floors that are already down without tearing them up. They are common in offices, conference rooms and open living spaces where an outlet is needed away from the wall.
Fan and fixture boxes
Arlington fan and fixture boxes mount and support ceiling fans and light fixtures, and shallow sconce boxes like the FSC405R fit wall sconces where wall depth is tight. Always confirm the box is rated for the specific fan or fixture you are hanging.
Arlington IN BOX and TV BOX recessed boxes
IN BOX and TV BOX are recessed boxes that let a plug, cord or connector sit flush inside the wall instead of sticking out. IN BOX is used behind wall-mounted TVs, appliances and anywhere a cord needs to disappear, and it comes in indoor versions and weatherproof versions for outdoor walls. TV BOX combines power and low-voltage cabling in one recessed opening behind a flat-panel TV, so the outlet and the HDMI or coax runs share a single clean box. Both come in several gang sizes and mounting styles.
Arlington cable connectors and cord grips
Arlington cable connectors terminate cable into a box quickly, and its cord grips give flexible cord the strain relief that code requires. The connector lines cover the common cable types:
- SNAP2IT snap-in connectors for AC, MC and HCF cable, which lock in by hand without a screwdriver.
- Snap-Tite connectors, including the popular 38AST-5, for MC cable terminations.
- Black Button push-in connectors for non-metallic (NM) cable.
- NMUF low-profile connectors for NM cable in tight spots.
Colorgrip and LPCG cord grips handle strain relief on cords and cables entering an enclosure.
Arlington weatherproof and outdoor products
Arlington weatherproof boxes, in-use covers and Gard-N-Post posts put power and lighting outdoors and keep them protected. Gard-N-Post is a self-contained post for mounting an outdoor GFCI receptacle or a light fixture where there is no wall to use. Weatherproof boxes and covers mount on siding, brick, stucco and other surfaces, and weatherproof enclosures protect keypads and other outdoor devices. Confirm the weatherproof rating fits the location before you install.
Arlington cable access, grounding and support
Arlington rounds out the line with cable access plates, grounding hardware and cable supports. The SCOOP cable access wallplates let low-voltage cable pass cleanly through the wall behind a TV or AV rack, with reversible and slotted styles for different cable bundles. Grounding bridges and clamps handle bonding, insulated bushings protect wire where it enters conduit, and The LOOP cable supports hold and position cable runs, with UV-rated versions for outdoor use.
How to choose the right Arlington product
Pick the right Arlington part by answering four questions about the job:
- Is the wall open or finished? New construction uses nail-on brackets and new-work boxes, while retrofit work uses screw-on brackets, hole-saw brackets and retrofit boxes.
- How many gangs do you need? Most brackets and boxes come in 1-gang through 4-gang.
- Is it indoor or exposed to weather? Indoor and weatherproof versions are not interchangeable outdoors.
- Metallic or non-metallic? Choose the material that matches your wiring method and local requirements.
For any line-voltage work, have a licensed electrician make the final connections. Low-voltage runs like data, coax and speaker wire are generally DIY friendly with the right bracket.
Arlington Industries FAQ
Who owns Arlington Industries?
Arlington Industries is a privately held American manufacturer. It was founded in 1949 and has been under its current ownership since 1956.
Where are Arlington products made?
The vast majority of Arlington products are manufactured in the United States. Arlington is one of the few fittings makers that molds its own non-metallic parts in house rather than sourcing them.
Are Arlington products UL listed?
Many Arlington products carry UL or CSA listings, but listings vary by product line. Check the listing on the specific item or its datasheet before you specify it for a job.
What is the difference between nail-on, screw-on and recessed low-voltage brackets?
Nail-on brackets are for new construction and attach to a stud before the drywall goes up. Screw-on brackets attach to finished drywall, which makes them the choice for adding an outlet to an existing wall. Recessed brackets set the wallplate or connector back from the surface, which helps when a bulky plug or connector needs the extra depth.
What does a box extender do?
A box extender brings a recessed electrical box back out to the finished wall surface so devices mount flush and the installation meets code. It is the standard fix when tile, paneling or extra wall thickness leaves a box sitting too deep.
What is the difference between IN BOX and a standard weatherproof box?
IN BOX recesses the receptacle into the wall so the plug and cord sit flush inside the box, which a standard surface-mount weatherproof box does not do. IN BOX comes in both indoor and weatherproof versions, so outdoors you get the recessed profile plus weather protection in one box.
