Attaching a round sconce plate to a 1 gang junction box

Neil Young · Nov 11, 2020

I have a 1-gange box on the wall where an old wall sconce was. The new sconce has a round wall plate. Is there a way I can convert the box to accommodate the round plate without having to replace it with a round junction box?

Simon47 · Nov 11, 2020

Not an uncommon problem. Depending on the light fitting, one option is to use a plate with two holes drilled to accept screws into the back box, and another two holes (which you'll either need to tap, or use self tapping screws into, or if it's possible, bolt the new fitting to before fixing to the wall) to fix the new light to.
Got a photo of the new fitting ?

Neil Young · Nov 11, 2020

Neil Young said:
I have a 1-gange box on the wall where an old wall sconce was. The new sconce has a round wall plate. Is there a way I can convert the box to accommodate the round plate without having to replace it with a round junction box?

Simon47 · Nov 11, 2020

Sorry, hadn't realised this was in the US section, but it doesn't matter.
It looks like the fitting will completely cover the box if it's centered. Just fix the plate using two screws into the threaded holes in the box. If you can't get the slots in the plate to line up with the fixing holes in the box, apply a drill or file as required and use washers to make sure the screw heads can't pull through. It's hard to tell, but it looks like filing the top and bottom slots a bit should make it fit - but file between the ends of the next ring of slots so as not to take too much strength out of the plate.

Megawatt · Nov 12, 2020

Neil Young said:
I have a 1-gange box on the wall where an old wall sconce was. The new sconce has a round wall plate. Is there a way I can convert the box to accommodate the round plate without having to replace it with a round junction box?

Neil yes you should be able to use the box. Go to Home Depot or Lowe’s and go to the lighting section where they have rebuild kits and other parts that you should able to use. You could always use an octagonal extension ring and bolt it to the box?