Removing a Medicine Cabinet Light Installing a New Fixture
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How to Install a Wall Fixture Electrical Junction Box – If the light fixture is a bar type then a larger junction box can be installed off center if the fixture will allow a hole to be drilled in line with the wall box for the wiring to pass through into the wall box for the connections. © By: Dave Rongey |
Installing a Wall Fixture Electrical Junction Box
Electrical Question: I am trying to replace and old bathroom lighting fixture which is attached to a medicine cabinet.
- It is one piece and the whole unit has been removed.
- The medicine cabinet will be replaced by a regular mirror and I want to install a new light fixture and center it above the mirror.
- There is a stud where the mirror must be centered.
- There are water pipes running along either side of the stud.
- I was told to use a pancake junction box but my new fixture has 4 black, 4 white and a ground wire.
- I’m sure it would be a code violation to try to shove all those wires into the pancake.
- The pancake is 4″.
- What is the maximum number of wires that can go into the pancake?
- Is there another alternative?
It seems I may have to look for a different fixture with fewer wires.
Thanks!
This electrical question came from: Stu, a Homeowner from Meriden, CT
See more about Home Wiring for Connecticut
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Stu.
How to Install a Wall Fixture Electrical Junction Box
- The links below will give you all that you need, but typically the light fixture has an area where the wires from the wall pancake box can be routed into and the connections can usually be made inside the light fixture, otherwise your right, the pancake box is not large enough.
- If the light fixture is a bar type then a larger junction box can be installed off center if the fixture will allow a hole to be drilled in line with the wall box for the wiring to pass through into the wall box for the connections.
- If this is done the hole should have an insulated bushing installed to protect the wiring.
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