Replace Ceiling Electrical Box

If the box has a cable clamp remove the locknut.

Replace ceiling electrical box. Installing a ceiling fan chandelier or other heavy light fixture in an existing ceiling requires the right junction box j box. You also should replace a ceiling box if the existing one is loose or damaged. See the section on calculating box sizes. Then pry the bar from the joists.

Number 10 x 1 5 sheet metal screws were used to secured the pancake box to the ceiling joist. Even so you should run through the calculations to be sure. Typical 1 1 2 to 2 in. Disconnect the cable from the box.

A square electrical box also known as a double gang box houses two devices. Pry out the box s mounting nails and pull the box down from the ceiling. How to replace electrical box for ceiling light. The nec dictates how many wires and clamps you can safely put in an electrical 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. They ll have a combination outlet switch or a pair of outlets switches inside. If it s suspended from a bar you may have to take off a metal plate to unscrew the box. The round or octagonal box houses lightweight fixtures or safety devices in the ceiling.

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. Ceiling light boxes consist of metal or plastic boxes. Deep octagonal or round ceiling boxes are quite large and overcrowding is rarely a problem. Most ceiling boxes are large enough.

Remove the old electrical box from the ceiling. Broken plastic electrical box swing clamp supports allowed the box to fall from the ceiling leaving the light fixture hanging by its electrical wires. If your light fixture pulls out from the ceiling chances are that the light box has cracked. If it s nailed to a joist pry it free with a flat bar.

Having access to your attic is convenient when replacing an electrical box in the ceiling but you also can do the work from inside your room under the ceiling. The box shown has a slot that the cable slides through. 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.