Hello. I’m new to electrical work and my knowledge is limited. With that being said, I have a shop light in my porch area that I want to convert into a light socket. I want to place a light something like this if it’ll work:
My other option would be to replace that shop light with another shop light. The original shop light doesn’t work as it won’t hold the tube lights anymore. Here is the setup of the shop light and I’m kind of just looking for the easiest option. The shop light is controlled by a light switch inside the house.
What you have there is the easiest option to burn your house to the ground!
What you need to do is to terminate the existing Non-metallic (NM) cable onto a surface box cutting off the free air splice. That box will be your junction box to continue the run in conduit over to where you want the new light. The type of box you install can be metal or plastic.
The easiest to run for me is EMT but you can also use PVC if that is easier for you. EMT you will bend with a bender but PVC you can find pre-bent fittings. At the end of the run, you will need another box to support the lamp holder. for the new light
What you have there is the easiest option to burn your house to the ground!
What you need to do is to terminate the existing Non-metallic (NM) cable onto a surface box cutting off the free air splice. That box will be your junction box to continue the run in conduit over to where you want the new light. The type of box you install can be metal or plastic.
The easiest to run for me is EMT but you can also use PVC if that is easier for you. EMT you will bend with a bender but PVC you can find pre-bent fittings. At the end of the run, you will need another box to support the lamp holder. for the new light
I was not aware that PVC are allowed and to code for running electrical wires. I thought only EMT are to building code. Is PVC allowed to run underground?
JMatt, personally, I would avoid that light. I bought two different brands from Amazon last year and it is no where as bright as a LED shop light bought from Costco or Harbor Freight. It is bright but it does not flare the light out like the LED shop light. Some (chinese made) also emits low UVC which is harmful. You should research this.
Okay. With WRDIYs comment, I think changing out the shop light with another would be best. So can anybody walk me through the first few steps on how to do that?
That box will be your junction box to continue the run in conduit over to where you want the new light. The type of box you install can be metal or plastic.
As suggested with the junction box, watch this video for a start
Honestly, if you are uncomfortable, you should hire someone certified to watch you do it or do it for you. Like mentioned earlier, you can burn your house down if done incorrectly. Your call JMatt.
Because it is outside, you can put a junction box with a GFCI outlet. Plug the LED Shop Light into the GFCI outlet. I am not sure if the LED Shop Light is to code since it is outside.
The people on here will know more and they will provide more information.
I was not aware that PVC are allowed and to code for running electrical wires. I thought only EMT are to building code. Is PVC allowed to run underground?
Electrical PVC conduit (the gray stuff) is allowed pretty much everywhere other wiring methods are allowed with the exception in areas of environmental air handeling such as a plenum above a suspended ceiling. Electrical PVC is most often used underground as it doesn't corrode like RMC. EMT is not allowed in the ground.
I can say I have never used Smurf pipe (ENT) which has quite a few more restrictions than other/better flexible wiring methods. (MC/AC cable, FMC, LFMC, etc)
Good deal! I like the GFCI outlet idea. I can handle that. So let me see if I have this correct:
I need to place a junction box where the wire is coming out of the wall. And I can connect that wire to the GFCI outlet. And I can replace the shop light with a newer one and plug it into the outlet.
if that is correct, will the light switch that the wire is connected to control whether the outlet is on or off?
I've been following this thread. What is that painted over round plate on the ceiling? Just above the light. That looks like it is a junction box and a light fixture can be placed on it.
also noticed the junction box above not sure if you have access to it or if it's still wired or not might want to check it out first.
the higher wattage led bulbs work pretty well there is also the corn style that also put out a lot of light. if you do not want the shop light option.
JMatt, that is correct. You will need to run a switch to the outlet if there isn't one right now. Otherwise, another option is use a remote switch for the outlet. Go on Amazon and search for "remote outlet". That might be an option. I have a fan out in the garage next to my gable. It is 20 feet off the ground. I power it with a WIFI smart plug where I can turn on the fan even when I am not at home.
But you should look into Norm and Alan73 suggestions. You might be able to put a junction box or light fixture above the current shop light..
Actually, you should look into Norm and Alan73 suggestions because after looking at your pictures again, the new LED shop light's cord might not be long enough to reach the wall. If you can, put the junction box where they are recommending. It looks like that location should be connected to a light switch as well.
Awesome! Thanks for all the replies. I saw that circular piece above the light as well and thought nothing of it. I’ll give it a look tomorrow. Thanks again.
Okay, here’s what I found with the “circle” above the shop light. There used to be a light socket there and the two holes are where the wires came in through. There’s actually a stud that runs right through the middle of it above the panels. And the holes are also in line with the stud. Not sure if the wires ran through the stud as well or if there’s a box in there. I stuck a wooden skewer up through the holes and it didn’t go past the paneling.
I don’t think there was a box. The circle wasn’t cut out before. They literally ran the wires through the holes and connected it to the socket and pasted the socket against the panel. Would it be a good idea to cut it out and see what’s going on in there?
Before you cut the drywall/ceiling, can you share pictures inside the circle and close ups? This will help the members have a better assessment of your situation.
I thought the circle on the ceiling looked like somebody just screwed a porcelain lamp holder directly to the ceiling and run some wires along the surface.
Hi All,
I couldn't find a post about this so I'm going to ask, even though I think I know what the answer is. :)
I want to put a ceiling fan (no light) at the top of the stairs using the existing box. The circuit has two lights, two 3way switches, and one 4way switch.
If I install with the wiring "as is" I will have to turn on the switch to run the fan. But that will also turn on the remaining light. That is not acceptable.
Is there a way to wire it so I can run the fan without the other light?
I have two ceiling fans in my living room. The room itself has 14-foot ceilings and the fans are on 3-foot down rods. Right now, the receivers are at the very top of the fans, basically in the ceiling and this makes them very, very difficult to reach. At present, the way that the receivers are set, they have to be wedged under the caps at the top of the down rods and are extremely hard to get in place and install. I was wondering, is there any reason I couldn't just run standard insulated electrical wire down the rod and connect the receiver closer to the fans? That would make working in there a lot easier and both fans have upper and lower lights, and the receivers are about the size of a pack of cigarettes. It seems like this would be better moving forward.
06-09-22, 03:04 PM
EMT you will bend with a bender but PVC you can find pre-bent fittings. At the end of the run, you will need another box to support the lamp holder. for the new light
EMT you will bend with a bender but PVC you can find pre-bent fittings. At the end of the run, you will need another box to support the lamp holder. for the new light
