Converting round ceiling box to outlet???

[vertguy]

Time to upgrade the garage lighting and trying to find the right way to convert the existing round boxes with single ceramic fixtures to an outlet. Since my garage is already finished, I would prefer to do something on the surface. I am planning to use plug-in 4ft LED fixtures and I want this done right.

Scanning the local box stores electrical (no surprise) along with some online searches have come up with no real option aside from swapping in a lamp assembly with a outlet. I am really hoping this is not my only option as it would result in still needing something in the empty socket.

What are my options??

 

[dw1]

this would be the easiest way, but not surface mount, just goes on your round box in the ceiling. You can get them at HD or Lowes or any electrical supply
http://www.zoro.com/i/G1043043/?utm...hopping_Feed&gclid=CIHG3pLD-cMCFZCEaQod5HYAYQ

 

[mustanginky]

Subbed

 

[Theruse]

I wanted to do the same thing when I purchased my four LED lights from Costco. At first I bought a nice recessed outlet so the plugs would be recessed. That's when I learned a round box doesn't work with an outlet. I wound up reinstalling the ugly single socket ceramic light and then screwed in a plug adapter and then plugged in a right angle triple outlet. The two plugs now sit flush with the wall. Not ideal, but I like the flat plate shown in the earlier post. Couldn't find it at HD or Lowes and then began wondering if it really existed. I'll probably buy one but might cut it out a little bit to fit a decora outlet to give a more updated look.

 

[nadogail]

The big box stores generally stock only the fastest moving items in any given product line.
It has been my experience that if I want something out of the ordinary I have to look for a specialty outlet.

What it seems to boil down to is that in any given product line, 20% of the line has 80% of the sales. Big box stores seem to stock 80% of that 20%. They make their money by quickly turning over their inventory.

I have seen round box covers with receptacles in them, but I can not recall where or when.

 

[dw1]

http://www.lowes.com/pd_72443-427-7...L=?Ntt=metal+electrical+box&page=5&facetInfo=

if you cant find any around you, I can always pick some up and mail them?
they should be ready available

 

[Elginz]

also
http://www.menards.com/main/electri...lex-receptacle-case-only/p-1408610-c-6427.htm

 

[vertguy]

I actually saw those covers, but the outlet I tried in the ceiling box did not fit as it was physically too long and hit along the threaded area of the box. Maybe it is the outlet as I had some left over from when I finished the basement. I will check a few combinations on my next trip to Menards.

 

[The Cobbler]

you have to cut the tabs off the outlet

 

[musgofasta]

Single light ceramic light fixture with socket on the side

www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1290584

 

[rsanter]

this would be the easiest way, but not surface mount, just goes on your round box in the ceiling. You can get them at HD or Lowes or any electrical supply
http://www.zoro.com/i/G1043043/?utm...hopping_Feed&gclid=CIHG3pLD-cMCFZCEaQod5HYAYQ

This is what I did in my last garage. The problem was that the screws holes did not like up with the slot and keyhole in the plate. I drilled new holes in the plate and the rest was easy as pie

Bob

 

[vertguy]

you have to cut the tabs off the outlet

That is not the issue... the body of the outlet hits the indented area in the box where the screw threads are molded in. I will snap a couple pictures, but assume it is design of this specific outlet. Time to test fit a few combinations at the store with a metal plate. Worse case, I can always just go with the bulb socket that has the 3-prong outlet... but at $8 each, hoping to find a more cost effective solution.

Thanks for all the feedback!!

 

[alfredeneuman]

Starting with the 1999 NEC, receptacles are no longer allowed to be fastened with a single attachment screw.

The 4-O covers shown above are technically prohibited.

 

[thewatusi]

Remove the round box and install a two-gang old work square box in its place.

If you're careful (particularly with the removal of the old box) jumbo outlet cover should hide any drywall irregularities.

 

[gungatim]

don't they still sell the outlets that screw into a lightbulb socket? i've got a box of those sitting around collecting dust. some are just a single outlet, others have dual outlets with an extended lamp socket and pull string...brown plastic...anyone remember those? any way, that's what I used until I put in new switched plug outlets in my woodshop...

 

[alfredeneuman]

don't they still sell the outlets that screw into a lightbulb socket? .

They still sell them, but they lack 1 important thing..... a ground connection.

All fluorescent fixtures labels say they must be grounded.

 

[gungatim]

They still sell them, but they lack 1 important thing..... a ground connection.

All fluorescent fixtures labels say they must be grounded.

yup, didn't think about that...good point...

 

[Oggy]

Code aside, (I know very little about code, just going off previous post) you could try an outlet box extension, and then the cover.

just an example, there's other out there.

 

[dw1]

Starting with the 1999 NEC, receptacles are no longer allowed to be fastened with a single attachment screw.

The 4-O covers shown above are technically prohibited.

Oops, brian lapse on my part!!
Thanks for the clarification
But you are correct.

 

[vertguy]

So something like this is not compliant with current electrical codes? Leviton 1288

 

[dw1]

Look at NEC Article 406-5C

 

[Charles (in GA)]

(C) Receptacles Mounted on Covers. Receptacles mounted
to and supported by a cover shall be held rigidly against the
cover by more than one screw or shall be a device assembly or
box cover listed and identified for securing by a single screw.

The Leviton 1228 probably qualifies because it is an ASSEMBLY and is covered under the last sentence of the paragraph given above. As you can see HERE it is UL listed.

the OP's problem is that there are both 3½ and 4 inch octogon boxes. The cover for a 4 inch Oct box can easily accommodate the end screw of a receptacle if you wanted to drill it for them. The 3½ inch box cover will certainly need to be bought as an assembly, as the receptacles used in them are quite small on the back side, in comparison to most receptacles.

Charles

 

[alfredeneuman]

The Leviton 1228 probably qualifies because it is an ASSEMBLY and is covered under the last sentence of the paragraph given above. As you can see HERE it is UL listed.
Charles

That particular one qualifies because it has a manufacturer installed receptacle in it

But the covers alone with field mounted receptacles don't.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

That particular one qualifies because it has a manufacturer installed receptacle in it

But the covers alone with field mounted receptacles don't.

I agree completely.

 

[Syberia]

That particular one qualifies because someone ponied up the $$$ for it to qualify. The only difference between a company putting it together and the OP putting it together himself (provided he finds an outlet that fits) is who paid more.

Just speaking in practical terms here.

 

[smedly]

Funny, I just ran into this exact problem and then came inside and googled "convert around ceiling box to outlet" and here I am. When I was at Home Depot and pick up Somehing like this.

http://www.menards.com/main/electri...1-gang-ent-box-extender/p-1420176-c-6427.html

So the adapter is held in place by the screws that are holding the outlet in the ceiling box.

It worked out fine I'm not sure if it's up to code though, can anyone Chime in?

 

[Norcal]

When receptacles are installed in a garage ceiling, GFCI protection is required. See 210.8(A)(2), no exceptions for lighting.

 

[landyacht]

You could still put the round covers in and say you did it before the code changed. Code isn't retroactive. And the intention of the code was to require both screws on an outlet are used in normal application. It's not like those plates were safe a year ago, but are unsafe this year because of a code rule change.

 

[justsam]

Use GFI breaker on the lighting circuit if there is not a GFI outlet ahead of them.

 

[smedly]

I imagine I'm good with the GFI since the lights and opener outlets in the ceiling are on the same circuit. The adaptor plate and cover just look a bit jank.

and I'm a bit disappointed in the Costco led lights, bright for sure, but a but harsh.

 

[Badger05]

I imagine I'm good with the GFI since the lights and opener outlets in the ceiling are on the same circuit. The adaptor plate and cover just look a bit jank.

and I'm a bit disappointed in the Costco led lights, bright for sure, but a but harsh.

BUMP.

Just running into this same issue myself. I want to convert from a single incandescent light fixture in my garage ceiling to some led shop lights that need a receptacle.

Several options were discussed in this thread but it doesn't seem like anyone came to a solid resolution. I agree the octagon cover plate over a round ceiling box looks a bit "off" but I don't see any better options...don't really want to tear out the round work box and install an "old work" outlet box.

 

[Jazz1]

this would be the easiest way, but not surface mount, just goes on your round box in the ceiling. You can get them at HD or Lowes or any electrical supply
http://www.zoro.com/i/G1043043/?utm...hopping_Feed&gclid=CIHG3pLD-cMCFZCEaQod5HYAYQ

I really need to get out more. I had no idea that manufactured plate was available,,needed one last year and spent way too much time making one!

 

[fteufert]

http://www.cesco.com/b2c/product/Steel-City-5401-LR-4-In-Flat-Single-Receptacle/30710

4 inch cover with hole for single receptacle

receptacle http://www.lowes.com/pd_83540-1571-TR5351WCC8_1z0yt2jZ1z10wc3__?productId=3361602&pl=1

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

this would be the easiest way, but not surface mount, just goes on your round box in the ceiling. You can get them at HD or Lowes or any electrical supply
http://www.zoro.com/i/G1043043/?utm...hopping_Feed&gclid=CIHG3pLD-cMCFZCEaQod5HYAYQ

Youll probably want to use a box extension on the box before installing that cover.

 

[roger1818]

receptacle http://www.lowes.com/pd_83540-1571-TR5351WCC8_1z0yt2jZ1z10wc3__?productId=3361602&pl=1

But that is a 20A outlet. While it would work, it would be probably be a code violation since it is most likely on a 15A circuit. Properly you should use a 15A outlet like this one:

15 Amp Tamper-Resistant Single Outlet, White

 

[sberry]

As for the 1 screw 2 screw issue,,,,,,,,,,, I understand why and drill holes for them if needed especially at ground level where they are being used like they do. It is a grounded outlet, this doesn't concern me so much when all this is fixed in place with no one yanking on it all.
There is probably good reason for the ceiling gfci too, you can find all kinds of **** plugged in to these if you give someone an opportunity. I don't use it on lights so far in my shop and storage which are recept and cord but its all 20 ft in the air. I even have some non gfci in some spots but there is gfci available. I found the other day I might change out or could simply remove.

 

[Gerald O]

Personally I wouldn't use plug-in light fixtures unless you already have them.
Get hard-wired fixtures and run EMT or FMC to the box.

 

[rlitman]

That particular one qualifies because someone ponied up the $$$ for it to qualify. The only difference between a company putting it together and the OP putting it together himself (provided he finds an outlet that fits) is who paid more.

Just speaking in practical terms here.

Not necessarily. I've seen several ways that companies may thread the center hole of their receptacles.

On really cheap outlets, I've seen a threaded insert pressed into the plastic. I can only suppose it has an internal conductivity path to the ground (I can't say I've tested it) to ground a metal plate via the screw, but it probably isn't all that strong.

On decent outlets, the central hole is a threaded tube either riveted or welded to the back strap that passes through the whole outlet assembly. A screw through that will hold things together just fine.

 

[exmaxima1]

Personally I wouldn't use plug-in light fixtures unless you already have them.
Get hard-wired fixtures and run EMT or FMC to the box.

+1
I installed new led fixtures in my garage a few weeks ago, and bought the kind that daisy chain end-to-end. Though they came with cords, it was simple to punch a hole in the back of one (for wires) and a couple of small holes to mate up to the overhead light fixture box. Nice clean install.

 

[signpro]

This might be OK.... There are two fasteners holding the outlet.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton...ngle-Outlet-Zinc-Plated-Steel-5059/301390715?