Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Removing recessed light
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donavent
11-03-05, 01:06 PM
Hi,
I want to remove a square recessed lighting fixture over my bed and replace it with either a ceiling fan or regular light fixture. Can this be easily done?
I want to remove a square recessed lighting fixture over my bed and replace it with either a ceiling fan or regular light fixture. Can this be easily done?
chirkware
11-03-05, 01:46 PM
This should be doable. There's a good chance some drywall work (assuming your ceiling is drywalled) will need to be done though if the existing hole in the ceiling is too large.
How big a hole is there in the ceiling for this fixture?
Do you want the new fixture in the exact same place as the old fixture?
Do you have attic access above this fixture?
How big a hole is there in the ceiling for this fixture?
Do you want the new fixture in the exact same place as the old fixture?
Do you have attic access above this fixture?
donavent
11-03-05, 01:55 PM
The hole is about 8". I don't expect the new fixture to be the same size. I don't have access to the attic.
chirkware
11-03-05, 03:18 PM
Normally when you install a fixture with not attic access, you install an old work box. You could use one of them if you relocate and patch over the old hole. You can't use an old work box where the existing hole is because the old work box has to have good drywall to fasten to.
If you want to install a ceiling fan, you need to use a box is rated to support one, and is attached to joists...old work boxes are completely out of the picture. If you can locate a joist, and don't mind moving the fixture location over to it, you can install a "pancake" box directly to a joist, bring the wiring into it, and hang the ceiling fan there. Alternately, a box like this one (http://doityourself.com/store/9331307.htm) would work well. Whatever box you use, make SURE it is approved for supporting a ceiling fan. If you are having to patch drywall, your options are wider since you can always make the hole bigger before you patch it.
An unknown is how much slack wire you have in the ceiling. This may restrict the flexibility of where the new fixture/fan is located. Also, if it is stapled to the joist near the existing recessed fixture, you may need to tear up a little more drywall to remove the staple and get the cable(s) where you need it/them.
IMPORTANT NOTE:Most homes built before about 1985 or so have wire that is rated 60 degrees. Many newer fixtures require that the wire feeding them be rated 90 degrees. So not use these fixtures if your homes wiring is the older 60 degree wire. Todays Romex, which is type NM-B, is rated 90 degrees. The older Romex, which is type NM (without the -B) is 60 degree wire. I do not believe this is an issue for ceiling fans. It's mostly the fixtures that hug the ceiling (ie, bulbs right at the ceiling).
If you want to install a ceiling fan, you need to use a box is rated to support one, and is attached to joists...old work boxes are completely out of the picture. If you can locate a joist, and don't mind moving the fixture location over to it, you can install a "pancake" box directly to a joist, bring the wiring into it, and hang the ceiling fan there. Alternately, a box like this one (http://doityourself.com/store/9331307.htm) would work well. Whatever box you use, make SURE it is approved for supporting a ceiling fan. If you are having to patch drywall, your options are wider since you can always make the hole bigger before you patch it.
An unknown is how much slack wire you have in the ceiling. This may restrict the flexibility of where the new fixture/fan is located. Also, if it is stapled to the joist near the existing recessed fixture, you may need to tear up a little more drywall to remove the staple and get the cable(s) where you need it/them.
IMPORTANT NOTE:Most homes built before about 1985 or so have wire that is rated 60 degrees. Many newer fixtures require that the wire feeding them be rated 90 degrees. So not use these fixtures if your homes wiring is the older 60 degree wire. Todays Romex, which is type NM-B, is rated 90 degrees. The older Romex, which is type NM (without the -B) is 60 degree wire. I do not believe this is an issue for ceiling fans. It's mostly the fixtures that hug the ceiling (ie, bulbs right at the ceiling).