Installing Junction Box For Outdoor Light

Today we re going to install a porch light to the side of our home.

Installing junction box for outdoor light.

If the box is plastic shine a flashlight inside and look for a volume listing such as 21 cu. Plastic electrical boxes can be placed behind drywall. Use only with nonmetallic cable. Install exterior light without junction box in 5 steps october 24 2019 december 17 2018 by peter n.

If your box is metal we recommend replacing it see below. The electrical box or junction box is a code requirement that was established to prevent fires and other electrical accidents. Make sure the junction box is large enough to hold an added set of wires. If you don t have an outdoor box to tap in to consider installing one on your house.

Plastic or pvc boxes. Light fixtures in wet exposed areas must be listed for use in wet locations. Electrical codes generally require that all electrical devices and the wiring connections to those devices must be enclosed in an approved electrical box often known as a junction box this metal or plastic box includes a cover to protect the wiring within and protect you from the wiring. Use for exposed indoor applications such as with conduit in an unfinished basement.

Surface mounted electrical boxes for all electrical fixtures must be raintight weatherproof. Most metal boxes are too small to hold additional. Exterior light fixtures do not require gfci protection. Outdoor electrical outlets differ from indoor outlets because they have watertight covers that protect the outlet even with a cord plugged in.

It incorporates a combination light switch outlet photo 11. These boxes are inexpensive and easy to install. An overstuffed box is a fire hazard. Plus the national electrical code requires all outdoor outlets to be gfci outlets ground fault circuit interrupter outlets.

Light fixture box scott if the new exterior light fixture has a built in junction box or an enclosure where the wiring connections can be made and protected then you would not need to install a junction box. Choose from many junction box sizes to find the one that best suits your project. Light fixtures in damp areas protected by an overhanging eave or roof must be listed for damp locations. Procedure for installing an outdoor lighting.

If you re wondering how you install a light fixture without an electrical box the short answer is that you don t. Installing an led floodlight is exciting because not only do you get more illumination but you also get a lower utility bill. In our project we run a line from an existing outdoor outlet on the house to a light and receptacle at the edge of a garden path. The outlet is always hot and the switch controls only the light.