Pattress

A pattress is a plywood or timber board fixed within in a partition to which equipment can be secured, such as ceiling roses, power outlets, basins, wall cabinets and so on.

Confusingly, the term ‘pattress’ can also be used to refer to a container or box (correctly described as a pattress box) that is positioned behind power sockets, light switches and other electrical fittings, and contains wiring, switches and other circuitry. This may sometimes be secured to a timber or plywood pattress. Fore more information see: Pattress plate.

These boxes can also be referred to as a ‘wall box’ or 'installation box' or, when it is recessed into the wall, a ‘flush box’. If it is installed within timber or plasterboard walls, it can be referred to as a ‘cavity box’,‘plasterboard box’, or 'dry lining box'.

A pattress box can be designed to be either surface-mounted, or can be recessed into a wall or skirting board.

Surface mounted pattress box	Pattress box that will be recessed

Pattress boxes are typically made from metal or plastic. PVC or urea-formaldehyde resin is often used for surface-mounted boxes, while thin galvanised metal is used for recessed boxes.

The generally have 'knockout' sections that can be removed as required to allow cables into the box.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Commercial lighting.
• Fused spur.
• General lighting v task lighting.
• Lamp.
• Light fitting.
• Lighting.
• Pattress plate.
• Space classifications for lighting controls.
• The impact of lighting in retail design.

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