I am changing out my kitchen fan and will be installing a range hood in the same place. The ducts are in place so it seems to be a straightforward installation. However, when I removed the kitchen fan, the plug is a 2-prongs plug. The new range hood is a 3-prongs plug.

What are my options beside having to rewiring the outlet? I am not sure if it has a ground line in there to be able to rewire to a 3-prongs outlet.

 

If there is no ground you can install a GFCI receptacle and mark it No Ground and while it will not provide a ground it allows you to plug in a three prong plug and increases personal safety.

 

Hi Ray,

I just went to Home Depot. They don't sell the type with one outlet GFCI.

I have attached an image. I can take off the plate to the outlet but once I get a single 3-prong outlet, I will probably retrofit it into the metal plate in the picture. Otherwise, is there a place that will sell that metal plate with a single outlet?



Thanks

 

Your picture is of an old thru the wall exhaust fan.
The cable needs to be disconnected from that and reconnected to your new vent hood.

 

Hi PJMax,

When you said it is "an old thru the wall exhaust fan", there is a metal plate that opens up when the fan turns on. I believe there is about 3 feet of duct/pipe that is attached to that rectangular opening. It is to the left in that picture.

As for the cable, I don't see any cable? I only see a short electrical wire with a 2-prong plug that ran from the fan which I removed the fan already.

 

Are you by chance installing a free hanging hood from the ceiling? That sure looks like an old kitchen ceiling fan.
Regardless, this entire fixture needs to come out. Start with the wiring. Remove the receptacle plate and you will see a wiring box behind it, you might even have a ground in there.

 

Yes, I am installing a range hood over a *****ula and cook top. You are right. I should remove the receptacle plate and may see a ground in there. I will do that once the rain stops. I don't want to kill the power in the rain.

However, I can't locate a single receptacle (3 prong outlet) that would fit that receptacle plate. Would you know of a site? It is not on Amazon.

 

Nope, but I never said they did. It is okay to use a duplex GFCI receptacle. If you really wanted a Simplex GFCI you could by a GFCI switch/receptacle and not use the switch but it would cost more and isn't needed. There may even be true simplex GFCIs but they'd cost an arm and a leg.

 

If I use a duplex GFCI, I am not sure how I would mounted to the receptacle plate. That is the real question because if I can put in a regular/duplex GFCI, that would resolve my question. It is the mounting. Also, do you recommend GFCI since it is in an cooking oil/grease area?

 

It should go to the box not the plate. Please post a picture of the box.

 

Sorry for my lack of knowledge in area but do you mean the "box" - the housing of the range hood? Otherwise, the current receptacle is on the metal receptacle plate. The old exhaust fan is plugged to it.

 

Installing a free hanging hood is not easy. It usually involves opening up the ceiling to work on duct, electric, and adding wood blocking.
The blocking is required because anchors alone will not support the hood.

You can't simply shop for a receptacle that fits in the old fan housing, the housing must come out.
There should be no electric box there presently, the cable is ran directly into the old fan housing, similar to a modern can light.

 

I have searched for the receptacle and cannot find one. I believe you are right.

I probably will need to hire a license contractor to do this because it may be above my DIY skillset.

Thanks

 

You can do it. The hardest part is fixing the drywall after you have everything in place. Me personally, I contract that out and it doesn't cost much, especially considering your ceiling will look like new.

 

When it comes to software development, I have over 20 years of experience and know the trick of the trade. I can write really niffy programs that can stand the test of time. You ask someone who does not do that for a living; they may get by but the software may be junk over time.

Same goes for this installation. I don't have enough knowledge and prefer someone who knows the trick of the trade. I will play it safe. Thank you for educating me on this decision.

I may ask my neighbor since he has done the installation by himself.

 

Your post mentioned a plug so thought you had a receptacle in a box. Got me with that one and I gave inappropriate advice.Please run how he plans to do it by us just to be sure he's got it right before he does it.

 

No harm done Ray. You gave advice based on the little info provided. Plus, I am still in my research phase, before installation. Regardless, I still appreciate your input and sincerity. Thank You.

I will do as you request in regards to my neighbor's help. He is super DIY and knowledgeable, for a guy who is 72. However, I may just hire a license contractor.

 

Check a store that sells the hoods, they probably have a list of installers they have used or prefer.
This is a specialty install and you want someone who has done it many times.

As for the software, MS has made ~65 Billion?, and my computer seems to not work right sometimes.

You are doing the right thing.

 

If you are referring to my decision to hire a contractor to do this job, yes, that is thanks to you for providing the information on this thread Brian. I will look for a store tomorrow and see if I can find an installer who has installed range hoods several times. I usually use HomeAdvisor site to locate good license contractors. I think you have saved me a headache from opening a can of worms on something that I may not have been able to complete correctly.

Otherwise, if you are referring to my decision with a career in IT, yes, it has been a good career. I don't code/program as much anymore. I manage a group of Software Engineers(Microsoft shop). We deliver large enterprise systems for fortune 100 companies.

Too bad that you don't live on my street. I fix my neighbors' computers, out of neighborly love. They are very grateful and always want to cook dinner for us. I have just experienced my first (in 15 years) hard drive crash this week. Luckily, I was able to retrieve all data even when the data was all encrypted.

 

Was just laughing at the writing prompt over on Reddit: Grandma Deleted The Internet. Then I came here and yours was the first post I clicked on. Thought you'd appreciate: https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingProm...andmother_has/

 

I can relate Ray. Thanks

 

Just an update on this project Ray and Handyone(Brian). Brian, I took your advice and hired a general contractor who have done this many times. The first and second estimates were for $450 and both contractors told me that it will cost more if they have to center the range-hood over the cook-top. I went with the third contractor who estimated a fix cost of $300 and included the following:

-uninstall old fan and old housing.
-wiring(including the ground that I was asking about) and junction box
-frame built with 2x4
-center and installation
-mud and texture work for the drywall

I just have to do the painting.

They finished the job in less than 4 hours and he was so happy when I gave him a tip too.

I am just so glad that I did not do this job myself. After watching them doing it, it looked pretty do able but not without watching the trick of the trade first. Definitely, it is at least a two-man job. The range-hood required me and his helper to lift while the contractor screwed it in.

 

$450 would be a deal. $300 is great. It is tricky the first time around. Even getting the height right can sometimes be a task.
Can't believe the first 2 guys wanted to install it off center.

 

My neighbor told me the same Brian. He was going to help me install this thing but when I told him that a contractor charges $300, he told me that is a really good deal because this usually runs around $450.

I agree with your height comment. They gave me the option between 28-32 inches. They took the time to calculate the height and the cut and then they also made sure that it was horizontal/vertical leveled. We did find the ground wire after we removed the old housing as you suggested. They installed a new junction box too.