Surface mount boxes are great little alternatives to wall plates when running cables to a keystone jack. A surface mount box can be easily affixed to the wall, floor, or ceiling when setting up a keystone jack. This makes them perfect for setting up connections without having to pull cabling through the walls as well.

In the guide below, we will be attaching an ethernet keystone jack to a single port surface mount box. A video guide is available at the bottom of the article.

Step 1: Gathering the Supplies

The main item will be the surface mount box itself, which will come disassembled in a few separate pieces. Not all of these pieces will be used; some will be left over depending on how you secure the mounting box to the wall/floor/ceiling. Aside from the box, you will also need the keystone jack as well as the cable being attached to the back of the keystone. In our example below, we have pre-wired the keystone jack.

From here, the next step is to decide how to secure the surface mount box. There are two options for this: screwing the box down or using an adhesive pad. For using a screw, see Step 2a. For using an adhesive pad, see Step 2b.

Step 2a: Securing with a Screw

Towards the back of the surface mount box, there will be a small round hole. The screw included with the box fits through here and can provide a secure connection to a wall, floor, or ceiling. This will keep the box sturdier than an adhesive pad but does require the box to be placed over a stud for a secure connection. When using a screw, the bottom of the box must be secured before moving onto Step 3.

Step 2b: Securing with an Adhesive Pad

Surface mount boxes include a sticky, adhesive pad that can be fixed to the bottom of the surface mount box. Using an adhesive pad is not as sturdy as using a screw, but it will allow users to stick the box anywhere instead of having to find a stud for solid mounting. When using an adhesive pad, users can attach the bottom of the box to a wall/floor/ceiling now or at the end after the rest of the unit is assembled.

Step 3: Installing the Keystone Jack

Take the keystone jack and insert it into the surface mount box, coming in from the back. When the keystone is secured properly it will click into place.

Step 4: Attaching the Top Cover

Take the top cover of the surface mount box and push it down on top of the bottom half, over the keystone jack and wire installed in the previous step. It will snap into place for a secure connection. Make sure the cable is positioned correctly to stick out of the hole on the back of the box.

Video Guide: