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Electrical Wiring

Electrical box smaller than receptacle

16 years ago

I have an electrical box in the garage ceiling that is currently housing a light bulb. I'd like to replace that bulb with a receptacle, in order to install fluorescent lighing. However, the receptacle does not fit in the circular electrical box: the distance between the two screws at the ends of the receptacle is bigger than the distance between the holes in the circular electrical box. Here's my attempt at describing the problem.

Is there any standard solution for fitting the receptacle? Is there any smaller receptacle that could just fit?

Thank you!

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Comments (9)

spencer_electrician
16 years ago
All you have to do is buy a 50 cent circle cover that has a duplex cut out in it. Or even simpler, buy one for an over-priced $2 that has the outlet already mounted to it. The outlet can have the yoke removed, the metal part with the screw hanging on it. The plate then mounts to the box, the outlet does not actually screw into the box, just the plate.
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terribletom
16 years ago
Ah hah! You are trying to put a rectangular peg in an octagonal hole!

Easiest solution:

Carefully measure the distance between the screw holes and trundle down, tape measure in hand, to a big box store (e.g., Home Depot or Lowes) or a hardware store (if there happens to be a decent hardware store left in your area).

If you're working with a standard 4" box, you shouldn't have any problems finding an octagonal box cover with a receptacle already attached to it that will bolt right onto the box. (You might want to attach the wires first, though.)

[Alternatively, you may find a metal box cover with holes in it matching a receptacle, but sans plug. In this case, you need to buy a receptacle to fit and attach it to the cover with a single screw in the center. You'll also need pliers to get rid of the "ears" on the receptacle.]

If you're working with a smaller box, and you can't find a solution at Home Depot, you might try stopping by an electrical supply store with the dimensions of the box.

In any case, to avoid having to replace the box, what you're looking for is an octagon or round box cover designed to mount a duplex receptacle. They ain't all that pretty, but it is your garage ceiling, right?
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cumpaniciu
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you for the quick answers. I don't exactly know how a box cover looks like, but I'll check out HD tomorrow. And actually, look IS important, otherwise I wouldn't be replacing the light bulbs that work just great with diamond aluminum fluorescent fixtures :)

Thanks a lot!
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terribletom
16 years ago
I see what you mean.

Here's a pic of what we're talking about:

De gustibus non est disputandum.
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cumpaniciu
Original Author
16 years ago
That's precisely what I need, thank you very very much!
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cumpaniciu
Original Author
16 years ago
My box is 3 1/2'' round, but HomeDepot only has covers with receptacles for 4'' and up boxes. I bought a 4'' cover and I'll put holes to match the 3 1/2'' span of my box.

Thank you very much! Hopefully I can take some pics after I'm done.
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cumpaniciu
Original Author
16 years ago
Done. Here are the pics (I still have to make the cable shorter, but you get the idea)
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terribletom
16 years ago
It may seem picky of me to add this post after you've apparently solved the problem to your own satisfaction, but, all things considered, it's better not to modify parts when the correctly fitting part is available at such a small price.

You'd probably have to stop by an electrical supply store to find a box cover with receptacle for a 3 1/2" JB, but they do make them.

See pic in this link.
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cumpaniciu
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks Tom, I'll check out a specialized store and replace all the covers if I can find the right thing. I gave up after the HD salesman told me he doesn't think such thing exists, because of building codes.

Fortunately I now know better.
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