Old work Carlon Blue Box in new construction
pielikiepap
| Posted in General Discussion on
A pendant light fell from the ceiling with the Blue Carlon old work box still attached. The plastic flanges had broken. The box was mounted in a four inch circular cutout in the ceiling.My question is :
1 why use Old Work boxes in new construction?
2. Is it code to use this type of box in the ceiling?
3. Is it code to hang pendant lights from this type of box?
The house is brand newconstruction…6 months
Thanks
Replies
Most likely the original light was not a pendent.
Probably done as an afterthought after the house was finished. Normally that would be a round box and should have been attached to the framing or a brace. Stick your hand up there and see if ther wire is stapled down close to the box. If not it's a retrofit for sure. If you plan to put the pendant back make sure you put a brace or deadwood up there for it to hang from.
Ceiling fan box.
There are retrofit ceiling fan boxes that can be installed through a 4" round hole.
No, I think I will get the county building inspector involved. According to the manufacturer this box is not rated for use in ceilings and further is not intended for anything other than outlets and switches. I want the builder to inspect and replace all other boxesw in the house and correct the situation.
The box would be perfectly legal with a lighter fixture. Likely it was installed without checking what fixture would be used. Possibly even installed before the fixture was selected. (The builder would likely select the fixture, or even leave it up to the buyer.)
Not true. According to the manufacturer that box is NOT rated for in ceiling use and also NOT for anything other than outlets and switches.
Nothing makes people easier to work with than "narc"ing them out..................
you might want to stop and think about who gave them a pass on the electrical inspection in the first place..................
you're assuming...
You're assuming that inspectors inspect every detail. I've been perpetually amazed at what they don't look at, focus on, what they'll nitpick about, etc.
I think that's exactly the point he was making. In spite of the fact that the inspectors actually don't inspect much they check the job off and the customer assumes it means something .
What do you imagine an inspector is going to do? Call the contractor assuming this is a new house. Otherwise call an electrician.
This is a brand new house. No the inspector cannot fix the problem. The building inspector can support the fact that the use of this box in ceiling applications is not supported by code. The builder will not concede this point. And once I have the support of the building inspector, then I will have further ground to try and have the builder fix the problem.
Another reason to get the building inspector involved is that this builder has an additional 7 homes under construction in this development...and possibily thos also have the same code violations. I just want it fixed to code.
You're dreaming. Somewhere there might be an inspector like that but I've never met one. You're asking the guy who possiblly approved the box to admit he or a co-worker made a mistake. Not happening. What's happening in your house has nothing to do with other houses under construction. Why not take the Carlon cut sheet on the box to the builder and show him? I agree that an outlet box is not approved for a ceiling light fixture.