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How to install new electrical box without attic access

20K views 10 replies 4 participants last post by  gilmores33 
#1 ·
We just recently bought a new hanging light fixture for our kitchen. I removed the track lighting previously installed and removed the electrical box. The new electrical box needs to be installed about 18 inches from the previous electrical box.

The previous electrical box was nailed to the joist. The new electrical box needs to go right next to the joist as well but 18 inches away so I'll have to cut a new hole and patch the old hole.

What's the best solution? I've read about saf-t braces but am concerned that one side of the new box will be nearly flush with the joist. I can move the new box an inch or two from the joist but not much further than that. The joists are 16 inches apart from each other.

Can the brace work or is there a simpler solution? I'm trying to avoid having to do any additional drywall patching beyond the original electrical box hole.

here's the light fixture we need to install.

Stacy Garcia Lemongrass Dahlia Giclee Pendant Chandelier | LampsPlus.com


thanks!
KC
 
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#4 ·
I would suggest something such as this:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.galesburgelectriclighting.com/store/files/images/large/d_4976.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.galesburgelectriclighting.com/store/product.php%3Fproductid%3D3639&usg=__d6GL3Pqv8E66KDAbzChfPd-isok=&h=300&w=300&sz=17&hl=en&start=12&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=lI20XKpJr_YkbM:&tbnh=116&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfan%2Brated%2B%2Bbox%2Bwith%2Bbracket%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26rlz%3D1C1CHMB_enUS354US354%26sa%3DG%26um%3D1

If you look at that, you will see you can get quite close to the ceiling joist.

there are boxes that would straddle the joist is that would work better for you.

an exapmple here The obvious one, top left of the picture.

do you realize you cannot cover the old box with drywall if there is wires in it, right?
 
#5 ·
I would suggest something such as this:

http://images.google.com/imgres?img...n&safe=off&rlz=1C1CHMB_enUS354US354&sa=G&um=1

If you look at that, you will see you can get quite close to the ceiling joist.

there are boxes that would straddle the joist is that would work better for you.

an exapmple here The obvious one, top left of the picture.

do you realize you cannot cover the old box with drywall if there is wires in it, right?
i like the idea of using the box that connects directly below the joist. that seems like a solid idea in this case.

in looking at the link with the brace, i don't see anything that shows the box being very close to the joist. so you're saying i could use a brace even though i'll be within an inch or two of the joist?

I've already removed the old box and will use the wires that ran to that box for the new one. i plan on simply patching the hole where the previous box was and closing it off. is that okay?

thanks again for the help.

KC
 
#6 ·
the box is movable along the entire brace. You can the edge of the box within a bout 1/2 inch of the joist.

to install, the box is taken off the brace. then the brace is put in place and part of it twists to lengthen the brace. Then the box it put back on the brace.

and yes, as long as you remove the wires from the old box, you can remove it or leave it in and patch as desired.
 
#7 ·
the old box has been nailed to the joist. i destroyed it removing it since i figured i couldn't use that type of box in the current project. i have no way of getting a hammer up into the ceiling.

sounds like both ideas will work. if it were you, would you use the brace method or the method that attaches the box directly to the joist?
 
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