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Light fixture #1 -- junction box problem

mabeldingeldine_gw

13 years ago

So, thanks to the encouragement of this forum, I've started n my modest freshening up of my kitchen. In replacing a ceiling light fixture, I discovered that the existing junction box to which the light fixture is mounted is not sitting flush with the drywall, but protrudes from the drywall but 1/4 to 1/2 and inch (i.e. it isn't level or straight).

This is an old house, and the ceiling is in what was an el off an old Cape, so I am not surprised, but... grrr! This is the first item I tackled!

Is there such an animal as a low profile or slim junction box which could be used to replace the current box, and which would be able to bear the weight of a track light fixture?

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Comments (5)

artemis78
13 years ago
I don't know the details since electrical is not my thing, but our electrician had this problem with new junction boxes for two of our pendants that need to be flush with the ceiling and had flat canopies. He said there is a different type of box to use for those that sits slightly recessed from the plaster (and he still has to come out and fix this, ugh!) but I don't know what it's called. The standard boxes, which worked fine for all of our other fixtures because they were designed to sit over a junction box, aren't quite flush with the ceiling.
Tom
13 years ago
Will this work? Not sure where the junction box is, above the ceiling, or below the surface. This has a shallow lip and may fit.

Here is a link that might be useful: Plaster box
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patty cakes Home Depot sells a junction box designed for ceiling fans. It has a metal L bracket that is riveted into thew top of the box and has 4 to 5 holes to screw the box to the side of the ceiling joists. The L bracket also has spikes that dig into the wood to provide extra strength. I would recommend using these boxes for ceiling fans or moderately heavy fixtures. Most fans weigh close to or more than 25 pounds. However, when they spin they put a lot more stress on the box holding it than the dead weight of the fixture. Regular j boxes for light weight ceiling fixtures have 2 nails holding them into the side of the joists - and these nails stick into the joist by maybe 1 inch or so. It is dangerous to hang a heavy fixture - or fan - on one of these boxes with just 2 nails holding them in place.. For heavy ceiling fixtures, they also make a special box that has 2 bolts the attach from the bottom of the box up into the joists. This type of box should be used for fixtures that weigh up to 80 pounds. They make other boxes with brackets that bolt between joists four very heavy chandeliers that weigh more than 80 pounds if you have any of these. iIt is true that electricians will typically install standard j boxes unless you spec otherwise. I would make sure that your electrician uses the proper rated box for the weight loads you are planning. The special boxes are inexpensive and worth the peace of mind that the fixtures won't fall out of the ceiling.
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Not being able to inspect up close at your premises, my suggestion is to support the box independent of the lath and plaster. If accessible from the attic, all sorts of supports can be installed. From and through the box hole, this brace might work for you. Here is a link that might be useful: brace
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ashleymking
13 years ago
We used what I think are called pancake junction boxes, because some of our pendants needed to be mounted on a floor joist. I know very little about electrical, but you may want to look into it.
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oldhousegal
13 years ago
The shallower boxes are called pancake boxes and you can get them to support regular light fixtures and heavier fixtures alike (ceiling fan rated). I've used them in my old house a few times- they are very handy, but don't have much space, ie can't put too many wires in there.

I have had to shim a couple of them at my house, to fit the uneven rafters/ceilings.....tricky, but can be done if your wiring is NM. I would not recommend that with the old k&t wiring- but that's a question for an electrician. I am currently re-wiring my old house top to bottom, and these boxes have allowed me to be a bit 'creative' with installing fixtures in areas they previously weren't, without tearing out the plaster, etc.

Here is a link that might be useful: ceiling fan rated pancake box
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mabeldingeldine_gw
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks, the pancake box is just what I am looking for, and fortunately our wiring is NM, although maybe it would have been easier to start with k&t and re-do it ourselves...
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