Replace Ceiling Electrical Box

Disconnect the cable from the box.

Replace ceiling electrical box.

See the section on calculating box sizes. Pry the tab and pull the cable out. The nec dictates how many wires and clamps you can safely put in an electrical box. Number 10 x 1 5 sheet metal screws were used to secured the pancake box to the ceiling joist.

How to replace electrical box for ceiling light. The finished replacement of an old style pancake ceiling electrical box ready for a standard light fixture the box above is ready for a standard light fixture installation. Typical 1 1 2 to 2 in. If it s nailed to a joist pry it free with a flat bar.

Deep octagonal or round ceiling boxes are quite large and overcrowding is rarely a problem. Installing a ceiling fan chandelier or other heavy light fixture in an existing ceiling requires the right junction box j box. The box shown has a slot that the cable slides through. Pry out the box s mounting nails and pull the box down from the ceiling.

Even so you should run through the calculations to be sure. Ceiling light boxes consist of metal or plastic boxes. A square electrical box also known as a double gang box houses two devices. Broken plastic electrical box swing clamp supports allowed the box to fall from the ceiling leaving the light fixture hanging by its electrical wires.

Repair a broken plastic electrical box mounted in a ceiling or wall this article describes how to repair a ceiling light fixture electrical box that was falling out of the ceiling. Then pry the bar from the joists. The round or octagonal box houses lightweight fixtures or safety devices in the ceiling. We use an old work electrical box to replace a damaged or loose.

You also should replace a ceiling box if the existing one is loose or damaged. Most ceiling boxes are large enough. If it s suspended from a bar you may have to take off a metal plate to unscrew the box. The family handyman editor in chief gary wentz will show you how to remove an old light and install a ceiling fan brace so you can properly install a new c.

If the box has a cable clamp remove the locknut. They ll have a combination outlet switch or a pair of outlets switches inside. If your light fixture pulls out from the ceiling chances are that the light box has cracked.