junction-boxold-house
I read a post asking this question, but there is no answer for actually removing the box. I do want to remove the box to install a retrofit recessed LED light. My bungalow was built in 1952. All ceiling light box has this stud and nut anchor. There is also one on a vertical wall, so the stud is not necessarily for load bearing. Please advise me on the construction of this box, and how to remove it.
On this site there have been discussions from knowledgeable people about the importance of having every hot and its paired neutral conductor in the same cable or conduit. This is so the net time varying magnetic fields surrounding the wires are zero and so will not induce currents in surrounding metal. Induced currents cause heating of the metal.
I think you should find out what this pass through wire is being used for. This seems like a situation requiring a current clamp meter to find out the current (including the direction) in each wire under load. You may really need an expert electrician to look at this.
Someone cheated pretty bad here. They probably busted the hole in the wall, fished the line, and then it looks like they used the ring for mounting the fixture to the box to just drywall screw it into the wall.
Not code. Not safe. Not smart.
You have a stud behind it so you could use a pancake box (could only find 30 packs online but your local big box should have individuals for sale)
Note that this one has clamps built in, but you can buy them with 1/2" knockouts as well (just use a NM clamp with those). You can then mount the ring to it and then put the fixture back up. Thankfully it's a cheap fix (I bet the box costs no more than $2)
Best Answer
These hangers were typically used in ceilings where they wanted the light to be somewhere which required space or location between joists. The bracket is typically nailed to both opposing studs or usually under the plaster or drywall.
You could cut it with a hacksaw and move it out of the way. Or for more work, cut a separate hole for the recessed light and then patch the old hole from behind.
You mentioned "retrofit". Retrofit usually means a prior recessed light fixture, which this is not.