## Common ground
All options are types of electrical junction boxes, used to house and protect wire connections in electrical systems.
## Options at a glance
**3926.90 – Plastic empty box**
- **Defining trait:** Made of plastic and not fitted with electrical components.
- **Typical examples:** Plastic junction box for indoor wiring, unused conduit box.
- **Best fit when:** Used in low-voltage applications where insulation and corrosion resistance are key.
**7326.90 – Steel empty box**
- **Defining trait:** Made of steel and not fitted with electrical components.
- **Typical examples:** Industrial steel junction box, outdoor enclosure.
- **Best fit when:** Requires high mechanical strength or fire resistance.
**7616.99 – Aluminum empty box**
- **Defining trait:** Made of aluminum and not fitted with electrical components.
- **Typical examples:** Lightweight box for marine or aerospace use.
- **Best fit when:** Weight reduction and corrosion resistance are priorities.
**8535.90 – High-voltage empty box (>1,000 V)**
- **Defining trait:** Designed for voltages exceeding 1,000 volts, no internal components.
- **Typical examples:** Substation junction box, high-voltage distribution enclosure.
- **Best fit when:** Used in power transmission or industrial high-voltage systems.
**8536.90 – Low-voltage empty box (≤1,000 V)**
- **Defining trait:** Designed for voltages up to 1,000 volts, no internal components.
- **Typical examples:** Residential or commercial building wiring boxes.
- **Best fit when:** Standard electrical installations in homes or offices.
**8536.90 – Solar photovoltaic box (empty)**
- **Defining trait:** Specifically designed for solar modules, not fitted with components.
- **Typical examples:** Junction box for rooftop solar panels.
- **Best fit when:** Used in photovoltaic systems, even if empty.
**8537.10 – Low-voltage assembled box (≤1,000 V)**
- **Defining trait:** Contains internal components like switches or fuses.
- **Typical examples:** Circuit protection box with built-in fuse.
- **Best fit when:** Needs integrated electrical functions.
**8537.20 – High-voltage assembled box (>1,000 V)**
- **Defining trait:** Contains internal components and rated for high voltage.
- **Typical examples:** Switchgear enclosure in power plants.
- **Best fit when:** Requires built-in protection or control in high-voltage systems.
**8544.42 – Solar PV cable with connector (≤1,000 V)**
- **Defining trait:** Not a box; it’s a pre-assembled cable with connectors for solar panels.
- **Typical examples:** Plug-and-play solar cable assembly.
- **Best fit when:** The product is a cable with integrated connectors, not a standalone box.
## Key differences
| HS Code | Material | Voltage | Contains Components? | Purpose/Use Case |
|--------|----------|---------|------------------------|------------------|
| 3926.90 | Plastic | Any | No | General low-voltage use |
| 7326.90 | Steel | Any | No | Industrial, durable use |
| 7616.99 | Aluminum | Any | No | Lightweight, corrosion-resistant |
| 8535.90 | Any | >1,000 V | No | High-voltage systems |
| 8536.90 (1) | Any | ≤1,000 V | No | Standard low-voltage use |
| 8536.90 (2) | Any | ≤1,000 V | No | Solar-specific use |
| 8537.10 | Any | ≤1,000 V | Yes | Integrated functions |
| 8537.20 | Any | >1,000 V | Yes | High-voltage integrated systems |
| 8544.42 | N/A | ≤1,000 V | No (but is a cable) | Solar PV cable assembly |
## How to choose
- Is the box made of plastic? → 3926.90
- Is it steel? → 7326.90
- Is it aluminum? → 7616.99
- Does it handle over 1,000 volts? → 8535.90 or 8537.20
- Is it for standard low-voltage use (≤1,000 V)? → 8536.90 (standard)
- Is it for solar panels and not fitted with components? → 8536.90 (solar)
- Does it contain switches, fuses, or relays? → 8537.10 or 8537.20
- Is it a cable with connectors, not a box? → 8544.42
## Overlaps & pitfalls
- **8536.90** appears twice: one for general low-voltage use, one for solar. Use the solar version only if intended for photovoltaic modules.
- **8544.42** is not a junction box—it’s a cable assembly—so it does not belong in the same category as the others.
- If a product has both solar and internal components, prioritize based on **main function**: use 8536.90 (solar) if solar-specific, or 8537.10 if integrated functions dominate.
- When in doubt, choose based on **primary purpose**—not material or voltage alone