Coverting a bathroom lightfixture

Question

Hi,

I have a 1957 home with what I believe are the original bathroom light fixtures that have an outlet built into the base of the fixtures. I would like to either buy new fixtures that have an outlet in them -- do you know if they still manufacture these? Or, separate out the wires on one of the fixtures and install a stand alone electrical outlet as well as a new fixture next to it. Is there a way to have this done without tearing up too much wall? If so, is this something I could do myself or would it be best for me to hire an electrician?

Thanks, Rebekha

Answer

Good Morning Rebekha,

 Based on your description....these may very well be the original bathroom fixtures...back in those days, a lot of wall sconce type light fixtures (and even some of the older medicine cabinet/mirror assemblies) had a receptacle outlet built into them - so that one could install both a light fixture and an outlet all in one. Over the decades, Codes changed - requiring GFCI protection for all bathroom receptacle outlets (a good thing) and manufacturers quit installing outlets on fixtures. Not to say you can't find one (I haven't seen one being sold in decades - only see them in older houses) ...but it is highly unlikely - and if you did...it would probably be at a yard sale and not at any lighting store or supplier. In any event - any new outlets you install in this bathroom SHOULD be GFCI protected. So - even if you were to install a different light fixture that had a receptacle outlet in it's base....you should supply power to it from the load side of a separate GFCI receptacle outlet so it's protected (or change the breaker feeding the bathroom over to a GFCI breaker - but if your electrical panel is also original 1950's vintage...you may have an old "fuse style" panel..).

 Unfortunately - I can't see what you have there in your bathroom....or what you have for wiring...but generally when installing a new GFCI receptacle outlet and a fixture - when done properly - you shouldn't need to tear up any of the wall. Can you do it yourself..? Depends on how handy you are...and whether you have experience installing "old work" boxes (cut-in plastic boxes with flip out ears to hold the box in the wall) Describing how to do all this with any detail would take a lot of space...but an experienced electrician should be able to install a separate GFCI receptacle outlet and new fixture for you in a few hours time. To see what an "old work" box looks like...and a fairly good guide as to how to install them - go to:

http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/elect/remodel1/lighting/track2ft/oldworkbox.htm

Depending on what you have for wiring (it may be the older 2 wire without any grounds if 1950's version) , the electrician may have to run new 12/2 with ground wire from your panel up thru the hollow of the wall to feed the GFCI....and the new light fixture may be able to be installed on the original wiring....depending on how it's laid out.( for example - are the current light fixtures on a wall switch..? Or is there a push button or rotary switch on the fixture itself to turn the light on/off..? ) 

 But - without knowing more about what you have for existing wire and lay-out in your bathroom...or how much electrical experience you have...that's the best I can tell you....site unseen.  Where electricity and water are always a bad mix...it is imperative that electrical work in the bathroom be done strictly by the Code...your safety depends on it...so getting a few quotes from local electricians to do this work for you is highly recommended.

  Hope this helps Rebekha....again - if your fairly handy and have some electrical experience - you may be able to tackle this project yourself...but if you have ANY doubts - a local electrician should be able to do this for you in a few hours....either way - it must be done up to Code. If you have new questions, please follow-up.

NOTE: I will be out of the area most of the week on projects....and will need to mark myself as away "on vacation" at this site....if you need to follow up - you can still do so by email to :

info@rkoelectric.com

Best Wishes,

Bob Osgood Master Electrician / Owner

RKO ELECTRIC Bangor, Maine

www.rkoelectric.com