Replacing switched bathroom vanity light
#1
04-17-22, 01:54 PM
Replacing switched bathroom vanity light
I recently removed an old lighted medicine cabinet from a bathroom. The light was connected to a 3 wire romex cable to a small box in the light fixture and was secured by wire nuts. The replacement medicine cabinet also has 5 lights in it, but no electrical box, only a two wire lamp cord. I am considering adding a two prong plug or replacing with a three wire if I can find a suitable ground point on the fixture. There was no box in the wall, the wire simply comes out a hole. I plan to install a box and outlet, which will then be completely blocked when the new medicine cabinet is in place. However, this is on a wall switch circuit, and it didn’t make sense to block a gfci outlet that cannot be reset if tripped. Given that the outlet is only for the light, and nothing else can be plugged into it, can I skip the gfci, or do I need to install a gfci breaker in the breaker panel for this circuit?
#2
04-18-22, 08:49 PM
Group Moderator
Welcome to the forums.
Fixtures sold in the U.S. are supposed to be UL listed and code compliant. That would mean there would be a correct way of connecting that fixture to a power line.... including a proper ground.
Many times fixtures purchased online or from other countries don't have the proper connections.
Can you post a picture of what you are working with with or a link to it..... How to insert pictures
Fixtures sold in the U.S. are supposed to be UL listed and code compliant. That would mean there would be a correct way of connecting that fixture to a power line.... including a proper ground.
Many times fixtures purchased online or from other countries don't have the proper connections.
Can you post a picture of what you are working with with or a link to it..... How to insert pictures
#3
04-22-22, 02:53 PM
The fixture was purchased at Menard’s, a Wisconsin based equivalent of Home Depot and the like. The back of the fixture was fused plastic with no way to access any wires, and no grounding points on the outside of the fixture. I didn’t see this post until just now, but I went ahead and installed a 15 amp 3 prong plug onto the 16/2 braided lamp wire. Then installed an old construction plastic box in the wall and a standard outlet. I checked the polarity of the outlet and it was correct, although there is no grounding from the outlet to the light fixture. I’ll check for UL sticker. The double outlet is completely covered by the frame of the medicine cabinet and there’s no way to plug anything else in to that outlet. I decided that lacking the ability to reset a GFCI outlet since you can’t access it with the medicine cabinet installed, my only option would be to replace the standard breaker (Square D panel) with a GFCI breaker. Any other advice is always appreciated.
#4
04-23-22, 12:38 AM
Group Moderator
A fixture would not necessarily need to be GFI protected.
It would need to be connected to ground if it had any metal frame.
Putting a plug on a two wire cable and plugging it in inside the wall is not an acceptable option.
I tried to find a lighted medicine cabinet at Menards but there are over 500 of them.
Typically you can enter the fixture part number and locate its installation instructions.
It would need to be connected to ground if it had any metal frame.
Putting a plug on a two wire cable and plugging it in inside the wall is not an acceptable option.
I tried to find a lighted medicine cabinet at Menards but there are over 500 of them.
Typically you can enter the fixture part number and locate its installation instructions.
#5
04-23-22, 07:22 AM
Found it! Specs and instructions pretty thin. Does say UL.
MagickWoods Elements Trilogy 36"W x 33-7/8"H Chrome Medicine Cabinet with LightsModel Number: 49768 Menards ® SKU: 6772775
MagickWoods Elements Trilogy 36"W x 33-7/8"H Chrome Medicine Cabinet with LightsModel Number: 49768 Menards ® SKU: 6772775
#6
04-23-22, 01:36 PM
Group Moderator
I was looking at that one but you said five lights and that one is four.
It says UL certified..... not UL listed. A way of skirting the issue.
Magick Woods elements cabinet - pdf
It says UL certified..... not UL listed. A way of skirting the issue.
Magick Woods elements cabinet - pdf
