I am trying to put a motion sensor switch in a surface mounted box as shown:
However, the switch has a "plate" (where the "tabs" would be on a normal switch) that does not fit inside the faceplate as shown below:
The only thing I can thing to do is cut that "plate" on the switch (with a hacksaw?)? It seems like even though I don't have to cut much, it'd be awwwfuly close to the hole where the nut is to hold the switch onto the faceplate (actually using a nut here seemed odd, but perhaps this is normal for these steel boxes?).
What am I supposed to do here?
————- EDIT ————
Here is how it turned out:
With the mud ring, before the faceplate:
Final result (using a nylon decora faceplate, because I haven't gotten a chance to go to a proper electrical supply house to get a metal faceplate:
It does seem "less than fitting/flush", but it's better than it was!
Best Answer
You can't use that kind of faceplate with that kind of device. (Unless you're willing to hacksaw off the wings, but that will mean it can only be used in this type of faceplate, and will never be mountable elsewhere because you will have destroyed the screw threads that mount the Decora faceplate).
You need this
Technically these things are called "mud rings", because it's intended that you install the mud ring, then lay drywall over it. They are made in different depths for that purpose. They also make flat (0 depth) plates, do not use those because the Decora cover plate screws will bottom out if you do.
The large opening meets the requirement for accessibility without tools. Wires must stick out at least 3" beyond the surface.
What it's doing is emulating a common 1-gang "handy-box". Except with a many more cubic inches available to you. You need the cubes practically for bulky devices like these, and you need the cubes statutorially for box fill.