Electrical question re: exterior light
I want to install an exterior light fixture onto a 3/4″ thick trim block (PVC).
I plan to use a pancake box. Do I need to recess the box into the trim block, or can I surface mount it?
Also, is there any special size or type of pancake box that I should use?
TP
Replies
It depends on the depth of the fixture base.
Used to be many fixtures were big enough and deep enough to accomodate a 3R pancake (3R = 3" round), and some could cover a 4R.
For most fixtures these days, there isn't enough depth for a pancake. So you'll probably have to recess the pancake into the block.
Check out Arlington industries, they make some excellent mounting blocks for siding that integrate the electrical box into the mounting block. They make a lot of really good stuff.
Cliff
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It's going to rust eventually. If your light fixture is designed to sit flush on a finished surface then I'd recess the box to hide it.
Scott.
Always remember those first immortal words that Adam said to Eve, “You’d better stand back, I don’t know how big this thing’s going to get.â€