Replacing the old Pull Chain light for a new drop ceiling is Plug & Play

Hello

The old pull chain does not cut the mustard with the new drop ceiling. Just removed the old pull chain socket, Mark the wires with a black marking pen, put in a wall switch and just did a lil lectrical and pluged in the new one. The light panel can be moved to a different square very easily too.

Has anyone else done something like this?
How did you do it?

Pic1 - Old Pull Chain
Pic2 - Drop ceiling pane with pancake electrical box
Pic3 - New workbox and outlet
Pic4 - Twist, solder and duct tape wires
Pic5 - Plug in Panel
Pic6 - screw in bulbs
Pic 7&8 - It works and looks good!

 

Soldering a light fixture is sort of overkill.
Wire nuts would suffice... Actually on second glance the duct tape as your insulator is a big no-no.
You need to wire nut the connections at the fixture, they probably supplied then in a parts bag with the new fixture.

Could you expand on why you ran the light to a plug?
If any of the above post seems pushy/harsh - not my intention just trying to keep you and your family safe

 

I hope you don't take this the wrong way.

Duct tape is not a proper insulating wrap over a soldered connection. Soldered connection isn't too common, though as far as I can find in the NEC it's ok... just need to tape up with electrical tape.

Metal boxes need to be grounded (they may be, I can't quite tell in the pics)

Ground wires needs to have a wire nut. Just twisting together isn't a mechanical connection.

20amp receptacle. Is that circuit 20 amps or 15? You can put a 15 amp receptacle on a 20 amp circuit but not vice versa.

The Romex sheathing going into the box shouldn't be that long. Should be terminated near the entrance of the box, and then at least 6" of wire available.

The wires need to be stapled within 12" of the boxes.

I have not worked on many drop ceilings but I am quite certain you can't hang a light from a tile like that. The mounting box needs to be attached to a joist, or be suspended on it's own similar to how the grid is suspended.

I'm not sure a power cord can be used in that manor... may want to check into it.

 

Thanks, you are right about the duct tape, I am changing that to wire nuts. Thanks

The reason for the plug makes it easier to take the light and panel down. Also I can change the light to another square easily if need be.

I will get more of the scotch locks like the ones I used in the work box. These grab better than the wire nuts that come with the fixture

 

You should probably follow Ray's advice.
I'm not sure of the "gray" area with using SO cord on a permanent/movable light fixture.
I've only ever seen BX(shielded cable) running to fixtures in drop ceilings - not sure if that is a code requirement in residential?

 

I'd at least glue a 1/2 inch piece of plywood to the back of the ceiling tile for some fixture support.
Likely not code but at least a little more better.

I don't like soldering solid conductor wire either. Doesn't stand up to vibration nor temperature fluctuations.
Use 3M 33 or 88 tape. I prefer 33.

 

" You can put a 15 amp receptacle on a 20 amp circuit but not vice versa"
????

 

You can't use a 20amp receptacle on a 15A circuit.
If you wire everything with 12ga on a 20A breaker the standard 15a receptacles will pass through 20a fine.
The 20amp receptacle used in the picture should be on a dedicated 20a breaker

 

The 20 amp receptacle would be protected by a 15 amp device so what would be the issue?
Codes wont allow a 15 amp receptacle on a 20 amp circuit.

 

Good site ray, I have been doing electrical work for two many years to remember and knowledge of the subject will go a long way in keeping you out of trouble.
Plumbing and electrical in some of the older houses can be interesting.

 

Maybe I did not understand what basod was posting, yea not very many 20 amp plugs out there.
I see why he said what he did now but a 20 amp receptacle on a 15 amp circuit would just blow a fuse or trip a breaker in a overload situation.

 

All my outlets are on 20 amp circuits any way.

 

Never heard of soldering house wiring.
I always do a quick tape wrap on the bottom of wire nuts, maybe not nessacery but, when craming stuff back in it gives me piece of mind

 

I posted last night but I guess it didn't take.

I'm not an electrician so my above post in regards to the photos were just general "handyman" knowledge.
The NEC is overwhelming with all of the tables, charts, exceptions, etc.

The 20 amp outlet on a 15 amp line is a "minor" issue I just figured I'd mention it.
In theory it would allow a not common 20 amp item to be plugged in (ac?, heater?).

15 amp on a 20 amp line is ok provided its more than 1 outlet. Which is most all "duplex" outlets.
I'm not sure on the "why".