Gang box

Gangbox (also gang box) is a colloquial term utilized in the construction industry, referring to a toolbox or workbox that can be accessed by multiple workers. Gangbox is also a term in the electrical industry used to indicate a box, usually metal, which houses installed electrical componentry.^[1] A 1-gang box hosts a single component such as a switch or receptacle, a 2-gang box hosts two components side-by-side, and so on.

Sailors putting tools in Gangbox to keep them secure

Image of an Electrical gang box

Origin

The word gangbox may have been derived for several reasons. Firstly, "gang" can be used to refer to the group of tools utilized for a particular project, thus making the receptacle in which they are stored the "gang box". Secondly, a gang can refer to a group of workmen or tradesmen, hence the name for where their materials or tools are kept is the gang's box.^[1]

The boxes are known for their rugged design and tough security. Sailors would store important tools in a secure lockers that were easily accessed by the crew but tough enough to survive unwanted access from pirates and criminals "that box is so tough it can keep out all the gangs"^[2]

When used in reference to the electrical equipment, the name refers to electrical boxes that can be grouped or "ganged" together to form a larger unit.

References