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Convert 3.5" round workbox to outlet

A

aragno

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Oct 31, 2021
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I have a porcelain light bulb holder in my garage ceiling.
I wish to plug in 2 LED lights (65 watts each).
This light is on a single switch.
I want to plug in the 2 x LED lights I have and I'm happy to install an outlet for the sole purpose of these 2 lights.

I have taken this photo inside the workbox but unsure how to tackle this one.
As the box is shallow, I feel I should remove the workbox and install a new one that is deeper.
What workbox should I use?
What outlet and adapter plates/covers?
Any specific outlet I should select?
I am unsure of what to do with the 3 sets of wires + ground.
1 x red
2 x white (together on the light)
2 x black (capped together)
2 x ground

I'd like to the option to install the porcelain light when/if we move.
IMG_0750.jpeg

Once I have this wired in, can I install a GFCI switch like this next to the existing wall switch?
1788197884106.png
If so, i'll separately post about how to correctly wire this next to the switch.
 
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dscheidt

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Apr 26, 2017
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You can get a listed receptacle and plate combination for a 4" box. (There are also covers available without the receptacle, but they're not code compliant, because code requires at least two screws. The listed assemblies use a rivet.) Either replace the box with a proper one, or get a round back 1900 extension box, depending on your tolerance for things looking like they're done by a hack, and put your receptacle in that.

You can use a dead front gfci like you show, but you'd have to make sure the neutral is in the switch box.
 
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rust in the eye

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Why a GFCI for a ceiling mounted fixture?
A lamp holder with a receptacle show in post #2 seems a fine choice from here. Good ones will come from an electrical supply house, the ones at big orange etc. are garbage. I'd imagine the ones you can't lay a hand on until you own them from the jungle to be as bad or worse.
 
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aragno

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Oct 31, 2021
Messages
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I managed to install this in similar fashion as the light was wired (2 white on one side, red on another, and connected the ground wires (previously not in use with the light bulb holder).
The switch is working and the outlets are now working.
my round box was a 4" and I was able to accommodate this. I will add a 1/2" space ring to give a little more space, but for now, it's functional.


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1788278353489.png
This circuit/breaker provides power to this former garage ceiling light, and 2 ceiling lights in nearby rooms.
This garage light was operated by a switch on the wall. Next I would like to install a GFCI near the switch in the garage since code requires a GFCI to be on the outlet circuits in a garage, regardless of location/position.
 
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dscheidt

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Apr 26, 2017
Messages
2,962
WillyBoy said:
I may be missing something here but it seems like the key piece that's needed is a 3-1/2 inch round fixture cover punched for a duplex receptacle.
Click to expand...
They don't exist. a 3.5 box isn't big enough, a 4" is. As I noted earlier, most of the outlet covers available are not code compliant, as code now requires the receptacle to be held by two screws. There are listed assemblies of a cover and an outlet.
 
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