I've installed a number of strip lights in my garage to replace the single incandescent fixture on the ceiling. They all use a 3-prong plug, not hardwired. I want to replace the incandescent fixture with a junction box containing an duplex receptacle, then branch out to other receptacle boxes to serve each light.
The strip lights, receptacles, and wiring are all done, but I ran into a mounting issue with the main junction box. Is it possible (or correct) to overlay an extension to the octagon box? The octagon box is recessed deep, about 1" below the drywall. I need the box to protrude to allow the side knockouts to supply wire to the neighboring receptacles. Home stores don't seem to have any adapter between the two types. An octagon extension with a cover would fit, but I'd need to stack two of them to get the knockouts to clear the drywall and that doesn't seem correct.
Or, should I rip out the octagon box and install an "old work" junction box?
Image is from Crescent electric supply web site.
Best Answer
You might be able to get away with mounting an extension to the existing box, then using a box cover with conduit knockout and a cable clamp you could run your cable out the front of the box instead of through the side knockouts.