Converting Circular Ceiling Box to 2 Gang

[NotEnough]

Just thought I should check in with the collective.....aka the GJ brain trust.

I've got three circular boxes in the ceiling that each have a fluor fixture hard wired to it. I want to convert the circular j-box to a double gang box so that I can put receptacels up there and use plug in fixtures (the Costco FEIT's from Hot Deals). Going with double old work boxes to minimize the amount of sheet rock repair, but having a second set of plugs up there would be good too.

So my question is...how do I wire up the second receptacle?

20 amp circuit
3 round ceiling boxes
3 way switch

This is the first box and it is physically the closest to the breaker box. I haven't looked at the other two yet.

Found this on a quick search. Is this the CORRECT way?

Also included a pic of what I want to put up there.

TIA

 

[Bib Overalls]

Really very simple. Forget the GFI diagram. There are two ways. The first way is to attach short lengths of wire to both of the receptacles. Black to the positive (short slit/brass screw), white to the neutral (long slit/silver screw), and green or bare to the green ground screw. Collect the three black wires together with a wire nut. Do the same for the white wires and the green/bare wires. The second method is to attach the black, white, and bare wires to the appropriate terminals on one receptacle. Then use short black and white wire "jumpers" from the second terminals on the first receptacle to the corresponding terminals on the second receptacle. Wire the ground as in method 1.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Really very simple. Forget the GFI diagram. There are two ways. The first way is to attach short lengths of wire to both of the receptacles. Black to the positive (short slit/brass screw), white to the neutral (long slit/silver screw), and green or bare to the green ground screw. Collect the three black wires together with a wire nut. Do the same for the white wires and the green/bare wires. The second method is to attach the black, white, and bare wires to the appropriate terminals on one receptacle. Then use short black and white wire "jumpers" from the second terminals on the first receptacle to the corresponding terminals on the second receptacle. Wire the ground as in method 1.

there is no positive and negative in AC electricity...

The first method is better. If an outlet fails, the rest of the circuit doesnt loose power...

EDIT: whoops!

 

[fastjohnny]

there is no positive and negative in AC electricity...

The second method is better. If an outlet fails, the rest of the circuit doesnt loose power...

You mean to say the first is better...?

 

[RickP]

Just thought I should check in with the collective.....aka the GJ brain trust.

I've got three circular boxes in the ceiling that each have a fluor fixture hard wired to it. I want to convert the circular j-box to a double gang box so that I can put receptacels up there and use plug in fixtures (the Costco FEIT's from Hot Deals). Going with double old work boxes to minimize the amount of sheet rock repair, but having a second set of plugs up there would be good too.

So my question is...how do I wire up the second receptacle?

Not quite sure if you were planning to use the second receptacle for more lights? I just wanted to make sure you weren't hoping to use it for something else, because it will probably end up being switched with the lights. (sorry if I misunderstood completely)

If you really only need one receptacle in each box, you can still use the 2-gang boxes with a single receptacle cover on them.

 

[RickP]

Even easier, you can just leave the round boxes in place and add a single receptacle cover to them.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

You mean to say the first is better...?

Yes. Sorry

 

[NotEnough]

Thanks guys!

It didn't look like a receptecle would fit in the round box....but i'll give it a try....anything to avoid messong with sheetrock dust.

I'll mess with it when i get back into town.

 

[RickP]

Here's one that's available at Home Depot:

Not sure if they make one for gfci outlets, but you might choose to use regular outlets on the ceiling if it's just for lights (technically not up to code, but there's a lot of garages that are wired that way). If your feed wire to the ceiling boxes can be protected by a gfci (breaker or outlet), then you can just use regular outlets in the ceiling and still meet code.

 

[Zeke]

If the structure is old those might be 3 1/4" round boxes up there. I don't think there's a plate or room to convert. 4" round, yes. Or, you could use box extensions since your existing lights are hard wired, they would come out of the side. You could then mount a single receptacle in a cover plate if you can find the plate.

You could also mount a duplex handy box on a round cover plate. I think that would be the easiest and best method allowing you to hard wire or plug in.