Tapping a ceiling box for power

11 years ago

(I'm new here. I once frequented the kitchen forum, but not recently.)

Here is my problem: I need to put some electronics in the top of a closet, and need to power it. The only power nearby is a basic porcelain pull chain light on the ceiling of the closet, mounted to a round plastic box. There are three romex cables coming into this box, plus the leads for the light, so the splices have four wires.

Ultimately I may need to plug in several things. So I have a few of ideas in mind of how to do this:

1) replace the porcelain fixture with another that has an outlet. Plug a power strip into the outlet.

2) attach a round surface mount box to the round ceiling box. From it, run surface mount raceway to a convenient place and then a surface mount box with plugs in it. Remount the light on the round surface mount box.3) I could put a regular rework box, with an outlet in it, in the ceiling next to the round box, and run wires between them to. Then plug a power strip into that.

The first is simplest. But it depends on finding a suitable light. I don't see the porcelain fixtures in the store these days, with or without a plug, and the cheap things intended to replace them don't seem to have plugs. (Is that banned now?)

For the 2nd, I don't have much experience with the surface mount stuff. I see plastic and metal. I gather I need metal - the plastic being only for low voltage. It isn't evident to me that the round surface mount box is intended to be mounted over an existing box. I think it *could* mount that way, but then I would have two compartments for wiring, with only a small hole to bring wires between them. I guess I could do all the splices in the ceiling box, but that would be kind of messy to do. (The thin surface mount box doesn't seem to have room to splice all five wires. but *maybe* it would work.)

The reason I'm avoiding in-the-wall solutions is that this is quite an inaccessible location. The closet is under a cathedral ceiling. While the closet itself has a flat ceiling, the space above is blocked off. (I'm using the closet in part because I can go through the end wall to put a wifi access point on the other side.) At least number (3) is doable from below.

Is there a better way that I'm not seeing? Or is there a way to make one of the above work well?

Thanks,

Paul

Featured Answer

User

11 years ago

(1) nowadays, the bulb needs to be protected and a distance away from the storage area. NEC 410.2, 410.11, 401.12, 410.16

Almost any place a bare bulb in a keyless porcelain would be, the receptacle would need to be GFCI protected, but the light would not. So, porcelains with receptacles are not practical anymore.

(2) http://www.mrsupply.com/wiremold-steel-raceway-500-and-700-series-extension-box-open-base-v5737.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjwqsyxBRCIxtminsmwkMABEiQAzL34PT9q9Wg-0ka6tgho443ef-3BAqoOJGaZefaqLr3WSd8aAk4b8P8HAQ

(3) I always choose 3

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

paul_ma
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks Fred,

I figured there had to be a reason I wasn't seeing those things any more.

And thanks for the reference. That is exactly what I was looking for. But they didn't have one at Lowes where I was looking.

Perhaps (3) is the easiest.
Related Professionals
Somerset General Contractors · Jackson General Contractors · Greenville General Contractors · Atlantic City General Contractors · Lima General Contractors · Bend General Contractors · Edmonton General Contractors · Dover Home Remodeling · Augusta Home Remodeling · Miami Home Remodeling · Clearlake Home Remodeling · Savannah Bathroom Remodelers · Saint Cloud Bathroom Remodelers · Portsmouth Bathroom Remodelers · Lewiston Bathroom Remodelers
Ron Natalie
11 years ago
Use of a non-incandescent fixture can obviate some of the clearance issues as well. Frankly, if we're talking about drywall framing, I'd just cut into the wall and do it right. Anyone can do a passable job of fixing drywall and hell...it is in the closet after all.
paul_ma
Original Author
11 years ago
Actually, I probably can't do a passable job of fixing the drywall here. It all has a textured (swirled) skim coat that is very hard to match. OTOH, it is a closet, so it doesn't have to look beautiful. So I will do it if it is the most reasonable way.

I may have found another solution. It has dawned on my that there is another room (over garage) that is
behind this closet. (Complex roof situation, assorted cathedral
ceilings, etc.) And it has an outlet. So I should be able to splice into that, and put an outlet box in the closet near there. I think that outlet is where the third cable coming out of the ceiling box goes.
d76grinder
10 years ago
I would run a CGFI so not only are you to code, you're able to branch off for extra outlets easily after. You can run low cost lighting like cabinets and not only save money on electricity but have an amazing look. I ran 120 & 240 through a box, based kitchen off the CGFI and now have 4 outlets in a tiny kitchen. One night of study via internet will help you tap into romex with 4 wires. Most new lighting gives directions for 2 wire and 3 wire.
d76grinder
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
I'd avoid attic, different rooms and cathedral ceiling routing
paul_ma
Original Author
10 years ago
To follow up, I found out I couldn't tap the outlet in the next room. It didn't line up to a place I could get.

Then I discovered that they do still sell porcelain light sockets with plugs. While not elegant, I decided that was the most expedient for my purpose. I simply replaced the old porcelain with the new one with outlet, and then plugged a power strip into it. Given it is in the top of a closet, by being careful about how the cord runs it is reasonably tidy.

This will only be running some modest electronics, so no big increased draw on the circuit.
d76grinder
10 years ago
Keeping it simple, nice job.
mtvhike
10 years ago
Is that porcelain light fixture's outlet a grounded one? If it's not, then you won't be able to use some electronic devices.
paul_ma
Original Author
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Yes, it is grounded. The old porcelain I replaced had no plug, and had no ground connection at all! (The ground was in the box, but unconnected - no ground screw on fixture. So I could connect on new fixture.)