Junction box

D'brat

Ok I just put in a blue, plastic, round junction box after chiseling through the plaster. On one side though the stud doesn't allow the screw to be tightened to make the wings secure on the back end. If I go to far in the opposite direction to get away from the stud the light fixture is no longer centered-it kinda isn't now but it's ok. My question is do I have the wrong junction box? Should I get a metal one that screws into the stud?

k_buz

What is this box for? Fixture? Smoke detector? Ceiling fan? or simply a junction box?

Is this the box?

D'brat

Box is for a bathroom light fixture. The one I removed didn't have one but the light sort of incorporated something like one. I chiseled through the plaster and fit the box in there. I keep turning the power off at night because it makes me nervous. The box abuts the stud and doesn't allow one wing to secure in back. Should I have used a metal box instead?

D'brat

I didn't the photo you posted, yes, that's it

k_buz

I guess I would need to know what the box looks like. If it like the one pictured above, you could just turn the box so the wings aren't next to the joists/studs.

D'brat

Hmmm, but I have to have the screws centered horizontally for the backside of fixture to screw into so when I mount the fixture it's level. Don't I?

k_buz

You SHOULDN'T have to. Usually the bracket they provide with the fixture will allow you to level the fixture no matter where the screw holes are.

sublime2

Something like this should have come with the fixture.
It allows you to put connecting holes anywhere you want.

D'brat

I'll have to undo this tomorrow and take a look. That'd be great because I had to add a screw to secure the back of the fixture and now you can see the blue box a little. I knew it wasn't right. I never thought to the turn the box a little, thank you so much! Oh, what would happen if the wires become disconnected inside the box? I only ask because the wires did come disconnected while mounting the light but was reconnected.

k_buz

About the only thing I can say about the wires coming disconnected is splice it better. Not trying to be a smart... its just the way it is.

sublime2

? The light would not come on.......

a_lost_shadow

If the wires come disconnected you could have a number of things happen.
1) You'll almost always loose power to the light.
2) You'll probably get some sparking as the wire disconnects. (One of the reasons for an electrical box)
3) The fixture could become electrified if it's not properly grounded. If properly grounded, this short should trip the breaker.
4) You could get a short between the hot and neutral, which should also trip the breaker.
5) With a bad breaker, or undersized wire, a short could cause the wires to overheat and potentially start a fire.

So as you see it ranges from an annoyance to really bad. How are you connecting the wires? If you're properly using wirenuts, you shouldn't be able to pull any of the wires out of a wirenut with a reasonable amount of force.

D'brat

First thanks to all I really appreciate it.
Second, the light works fine so there's power. My question and fear came from the fact that while putting the wires into the box the first time, one if the wires popped out. It was reconnected and it works. I was just curious. These are things the things I think about at night instead of sleeping. I want to be safe!

Evstarr

You could take the opportunity to move the fixture to center by using a pancake box affixed directly to the face of the stud.

D'brat

Ok pancake box?? What's that?