To install electrical boxes underground, you must select options that are specifically designed for buried applications. Embedded electrical junction boxes work for many environments, including traffic-rated sidewalks, underground utilities, and other flush-mount installations.

Learn more about how embedded junction boxes work and the products available here at Hope Electrical Products Co. to make the right selection for your application.

Why Underground Junction Boxes Need to Be Traffic-Rated

Underground electrical junction boxes must be able to withstand environments that experience pedestrian or vehicle traffic. Traffic-rated underground boxes are specially designed for these areas, with tiers designating their classification and suitability for certain locations.

For example, light-duty pedestrian traffic-rated boxes have a design load of 300 pounds per foot, while medium-duty vehicular traffic-rated boxes have design loads ranging from 5,000 to 15,000 pounds per foot. Maximum-load, heavy-duty traffic-rated boxes are designed for up to 16,000 pounds per foot with continuous vehicular traffic.

These traffic-rated products undergo testing to confirm that they can withstand a specific weight limit, preventing damage and potential safety compromises. As a result, bridges, roadways, sidewalks, and other locations must implement junction and pull boxes with the appropriate traffic ratings.

H5800 and H6800 Series From Hope Electrical Products

At Hope Electrical Products, we offer two main types of underground junction boxes that are reliable enclosures in traffic-heavy environments.

H5800 Checkered Cover Sidewalk Boxes

One of our traffic-rated underground j-box models is the H5800 Type Checkered Cover Sidewalk Box, which works for sidewalks and walkways along dams, bridges, tunnels, airports, and more.

This flush-mount junction box features:

  • Cast iron or cast aluminum box, cover, and flange
  • Cross-ribbed checkered cover
  • Flush with finished concrete
  • Neoprene gasket and stainless steel fasteners
  • Pry bar notches for lifting
  • Interchangeable covers and flanges with easy replacement
  • Three-piece design

H6800 Flanged Recessed Cover Topping Boxes

These underground junction boxes for electrical systems work for topping off concrete pull boxes. The H6800 Flanged Recessed Cover Topping Box works particularly well for areas with heavy foot traffic. It’s also possible to fit them with galvanized steel covers to handle heavy vehicle traffic.

This design includes:

  • Cross-ribbed checkered non-slip cover
  • Stainless steel fasteners
  • Three-piece construction
  • Neoprene gaskets

Installation Considerations for Sidewalks and Roadways

Underground junction boxes must be able to handle a combination of foot traffic and either non-deliberate or continuous vehicle traffic in designated areas. Generally, traffic-rated junction boxes on sidewalks should be able to handle hundreds to thousands of pounds of weight to accommodate pedestrian traffic, along with non-deliberate vehicle traffic. Meanwhile, junction boxes for roadways will need to hold up to frequent vehicle traffic.

Materials and Corrosion Protection

To protect against environmental hazards like rain, snow, dirt, and other conditions, it’s important to implement NEMA-rated junction boxes designed for these environments. Hope offers solutions for applications requiring NEMA 6, NEMA 4, NEMA 3R, and other ratings that ensure ample protection from various potential hazards.

Common DOT and Utility Applications

Many applications use underground j-boxes, such as:

  • Traffic signaling systems that regulate traffic lights at intersections
  • Pull points between street lighting system conduit runs
  • Protecting fiber optic cables and sensors for tolling and traffic monitoring systems
  • Power supplies for overhead highway signage
  • Electrical distribution for transformers and other utilities
  • Copper and fiber optic telephone line inspection and maintenance points

Choose Hope’s Underground Junction Boxes for Long-Term Durability

If you need high-quality underground junction boxes for electrical systems, Hope carries some of the most reliable products on the market. Our H5800 and H6800 series junction boxes offer customizable options based on each application’s specific needs, with highly durable cast iron or cast aluminum construction to keep systems running optimally for many years after initial installation.

Our traffic- and NEMA-rated junction boxes comply with industry regulations and work for roadways, walkways, and many other buried environments. Our experts can help you find the perfect solution for your application, with custom options such as drilling, tapping, engraving, and more.

To learn more about our solutions or get started on installing the right underground electrical junction box, request a quote from us today.