Eclectic Homes

The way to Eliminate a Light Fixture Box to Install a Recessed Light

When installing a recessed light fixture at the place of an existing light fixture you have to remove the old fixture and disconnect and remove the wiring as well as the ceiling box. The method used to eliminate a ceiling box differs depending on the type of box you have. Nail-on ceiling rod mount into the side of a truss or ceiling joist using nails attached to the sides of the box. Bracket boxes use a bracket affixed to the side of the box that attaches to the face of the ceiling joist using attachments. Cut-in boxes utilize a single bracket or numerous brackets that fasten the ceiling box into the drywall.

Removing the Wires

Turn off the power to the ceiling box and remove the lights. Use a voltage tester to verify that the power is off. A voltage tester contains two probes, one that you use to get hold of the lead or hot wire and the other to get in touch with the ground or impersonal. The tester will light up or vibrate, depending on the model.

Determine how many wires are in the box. It’s crucial to identify how many sets of wires and how they are connected before you remove them. If there’s more than one set of cable in the box, you’ll have to disconnect them from each other before removing them from the box. It’s important that the wires are reconnected in the new recessed fixture’s junction box in exactly the same fashion in order that all circuits will continue to work.

Remove the cable or wires in the box by first loosening and removing any cable nuts, using your hands, and independent connected wires utilizing a pair of pliers. Next, you have to loosen any clamps that secure them into the ceiling box. Metallic boxes use a screw and clamp securing the cable to the box. Loosen the screw with an applicable type of screwdriver, normally a slotted one, and push the cable through the opening at the box and into the void behind the drywall. If the box is either plastic or composite material, then it might have a plastic flap beside the entrance hole that secures the cable to the box. Use a slotted screwdriver and pry the flap away from the cable while simultaneously pushing the cable into the void at the ceiling.

Cut-In Boxes

Determine which type of cut-in box you have. Round boxes of this variety have a screw at the middle of the rear of the box. Square cut-in boxes have screws situated on opposite corners that, when loosened, release plastic wings that enable the box to be removed from the ceiling.

Loosen the mounting screws using an applicable type of screwdriver.

Remove the box in the ceiling.

Nail-on Boxes

Wedge a little, flat pry bar or slotted screwdriver between the box and ceiling joist to eliminate.

Apply steady pressure on the tool to pry the box in the ceiling joist.

Remove the box in the ceiling after it is detached from the ceiling joist.

Bracketed Boxes

Determine the place of this ceiling box mount. Because the mount attaches to the face of the ceiling joist under the drywall, you have to lower the drywall to reveal the mounting bracket.

Use a utility knife to cut the masonry around the mounting bracket on the ceiling box. Be careful and start with a little region to minimize drywall damage.

Remove the mounting screws or nails securing the bracket to the ceiling joist to publish the ceiling box.

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