How To Remove Metal Wall Light Box

The process only requires basic tools to perform but you must use care when working with electricity.

How to remove metal wall light box.

Hold the fixture s cover in place then attempt to slide the cap or tab off with your free hand. So a ground conductor will be required at least to be extended into a box to re establish ground continuity to the box and in the case of a circuit leaving a grounded box via knock out with reducing washers. Remove the cap or tab on the light if your fixture has it. For a ceiling fan or a heavy light fixture buy a fixture box that attaches to a fan rated brace.

A switch box is a hollow metal frame that sits inside the wall behind a light switch and holds the switch s electrical wiring. Depending on where the light was installed the box could be on the ceiling joists to the side of the ceiling joists or between the joists. This video shows how to replace a metal back box in a solid brick wall. If you ve got an old light fixture in an area where you don t need a light and you don t want anything there you ll have to cap off the circuit.

Metal boxes must be grounded. However they are only as strong as the wall surface to which they are clamped. How to remove a receptacle box from the wall. The washers prevent the locknut from biting into the side of the metal box around the the knock out opening.

Ceiling light boxes are mounted in a variety of ways. Use pliers to twist the locknut on the end cap counterclockwise until it pops off. Initial installation of a ceiling light box happens during construction and prior to hanging the drywall on the ceiling. You d do this if your existing back box is damaged or you want to fit a deeper back b.

Select boxes that meet local codes. The wires that were feeding the receptacle are. Create or purchase a wooden or metal wall or ceiling feature. This means sealing off the wiring in the electrical box to which the fixture was attached so the wires are still live but aren t powering anything and aren t a danger.

It could be a ceiling medallion a shelf unit a. If the drywall or plaster is damaged cut a larger hole and install a box that attaches directly to a stud or joist. Check the ends of the fixture for metal components holding it in place.