Junction box assembly having an over-travel spring

A junction box assembly comprising:

• a housing surface having a post extending therefrom;
• a pair of sidewalls extending from the housing surface, the housing surface and the sidewalls cooperating to form a component receptacle about the post, wherein a locking opening is formed through each of the sidewalls and wherein each sidewall comprises a locking tab that abuts a corresponding one of the locking openings so as to define an edge of the corresponding one of the locking openings on a side of the corresponding one of the locking openings that is opposite the housing surface;
• and
• an electrical component received within the component receptacle, wherein the electrical component includes a pair of barbs removably received within the locking openings, wherein the post abuts the electrical component and the barbs abut the locking tabs.

A method for securing an electrical component to a junction box assembly, the method comprising:

• inserting an electrical component into a component receptacle on a housing member of the junction box assembly;
• depressing the electrical component with a force to a depth that allows a barb of the electrical component to seat within a locking opening of the component receptacle;
• removing the depressing force from the electrical component;
• and
• moving the electrical component in a direction opposite the depressing force with a post secured to the wall of the housing member, so as to bring the barb in contact with a locking tab in the locking opening.