Best Fasteners for Electricians
Electricians fasten boxes to steel studs, panels to concrete, and conduit to everything in between. The trade runs on self-drilling TEK screws, Robertson square-drive screws that never cam out, machine screws for devices and panels, and concrete anchors for strut and service equipment.
What to Look For
- #8 self-drilling screws for boxes and straps on steel studs — no pre-drilling, one-handed driving overhead.
- Square-drive (Robertson) heads where possible — no bit swaps, no cam-out, the commercial rough-in favorite.
- Machine screws in 6-32 and 8-32 for devices, box covers, and panel dead-fronts — the two sizes that cover 90% of finish work.
- Concrete screws or wedge anchors for strut, panels, and disconnects mounted on block or poured walls.
- One-hole straps matched to conduit size, hung with screws rated for the substrate — framing, steel, or masonry.
Top Picks
1. TEK #8 self-drilling screws, bulk box Best overall
The screw electricians buy by the thousand — drills its own hole in steel studs and boxes, drives with a 1/4 in hex driver, and costs pennies apiece in bulk.
Check price on Amazon →2. Robertson #8 x 1 in pan-head screws Best for steel studs
Square drive seats on the bit and stays there overhead. The two-screw commercial rough-in kit is this plus a self-tapper.
Check price on Amazon →3. Machine screw assortment, 6-32 and 8-32 Best for devices and panels
Outlets, switches, covers, and dead-fronts all speak machine thread. An assortment ends the mid-job hardware-store run.
Check price on Amazon →4. Tapcon concrete screw kit with bit Best for masonry
Panels and strut on block walls need real holding power — concrete screws with the matched bit drive in seconds with a hammer drill.
Check price on Amazon →What to Avoid
Avoid
- Drywall screws for boxes and straps — brittle, they snap under vibration and load.
- Phillips-only screws overhead where square drive fits — cam-out with arms raised is miserable.
- Over-driving self-drillers — spin past seated and you overbore the hole and lose all grip.
- Plastic anchors for panels and heavy gear — use concrete screws or wedge anchors rated for the weight.
Also in the toolbox
- 12V impact driver kit — drives TEKs overhead all day without the weight
- Step drill bit set — clean holes in panels and boxes, any size
- SDS-plus rotary hammer drill — panels and strut on block in seconds
FAQ
What screws do electricians use for boxes in metal studs?
#8 pan-head or self-drilling screws about 1 in long — they bite thin steel without stripping and sit flat under the box ears. Square drive is the commercial favorite because it stays on the bit overhead.
What size are outlet and switch box screws?
Devices mount with 6-32 machine screws and covers with the screws supplied in the box. Panel and dead-front hardware is usually 8-32 or 10-32 — a small machine-screw assortment covers all of it.
Why do electricians prefer square-drive screws?
A Robertson bit locks into the recess, so the screw stays on the driver one-handed — a huge advantage working overhead or inside a crowded box. Less cam-out also means fewer stripped heads on removal years later.
How do you mount an electrical panel to a concrete wall?
With concrete screws (such as Tapcon) or wedge anchors through the panel mounting holes, plus strut behind the panel if the wall is uneven. Size the anchor to the panel weight and always hit solid concrete or grout-filled block, never mortar joints alone.
Keep Reading
- Self-Drilling Screw
- Machine Screw
- Concrete Screw
- Wedge Anchor
- Best Screws for Metal Studs
- Best Concrete Anchors
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