Replacing old (1950s?) recessed lights
#1
08-19-15, 12:00 PM
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Location: Canada
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Replacing old (1950s?) recessed lights
I went to replace some ceiling fixtures in the hallway of our home and found a "nice" surprise underneath:
It appears that the hallway lights used to have really old recessed lights with a large box inside the attic.
The previous owner has put some flush mount ceiling fixtures over top of the whole hole in the ceiling (and electrical box that was part of the old recessed lights).
I was thinking of pulling the whole box out, however, the attic has been sprayed with insulation so it would be a huge job. If I can take back these fixtures and find something that covers the hole is there any problem with this as far as code goes or do I need to do something different?
Thanks in advance for any thoughts!
It appears that the hallway lights used to have really old recessed lights with a large box inside the attic.
The previous owner has put some flush mount ceiling fixtures over top of the whole hole in the ceiling (and electrical box that was part of the old recessed lights).
I was thinking of pulling the whole box out, however, the attic has been sprayed with insulation so it would be a huge job. If I can take back these fixtures and find something that covers the hole is there any problem with this as far as code goes or do I need to do something different?
Thanks in advance for any thoughts!
#2
08-19-15, 12:07 PM
There are some really nice LED fixtures available that will cover the hole & provide great lighting. Home Depot has them. You don't have to touch the old boxes.
#3
08-19-15, 01:23 PM
I just did one of these yesterday. I ended up using an "apprentice plate" to cover the hole of the large recessed fixture and suspended a regular lighting box on a rail through the old fixture. You can find them in the ceiling fan section of the hardware store or you could make one with some plywood, a router and some paint. I don't see an issue leaving the old junction box as it is technically accessible from the attic.
http://www.lowes.com/Lighting-Ceilin.../N-1z0ufih/pl#!
http://www.lowes.com/Lighting-Ceilin.../N-1z0ufih/pl#!
Last edited by ibpooks; 08-19-15 at 01:26 PM. Reason: Added Link
#6
08-21-15, 11:31 AM
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#7
08-21-15, 02:27 PM
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I would remove the whole box out and either mount a new ceiling box or a recessed light fixture ,is that ceiling drywall or plaster?
That's just me?
Geo
That's just me?
Geo
#8
08-21-15, 03:04 PM
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The ceiling is plaster. Was hoping to avoid mudding since it's a flat ceiling with no texture.
#9
08-21-15, 03:53 PM
That old wire up there will be old 60 C rated wire, and the new light fixture will probably require 90 C wire be used. Code solution is to add a junction box close to the light fixture and use a min 18" section of new romex between the old wiring and the new lighting fixture.
