Removing a wall mounted lamp.
#1
06-30-18, 12:57 PM
Removing a wall mounted lamp.
Would like to remove this lamp from the wall. The lamp is not controlled by a separate wall switch and is on same circuit as outlet below. 
Here's what the wires look like:
Can I just remove the wires connecting to the lamp, push the wires back into the wall and put a plate over it? Ideally I would have preferred to patch the wall but I assume I can't do that?
Thanks.
Here's what the wires look like:
Can I just remove the wires connecting to the lamp, push the wires back into the wall and put a plate over it? Ideally I would have preferred to patch the wall but I assume I can't do that?
Thanks.
#2
06-30-18, 01:22 PM
Just putting a plate over it is simplest. If it has only one cable to it you can disconnect that cable at the receptacle, cut it as short as possible so it can't be reconnected and if possible shove it out of the receptacle box. At the light remove the box, push the cable into the wall, and patch.
#3
06-30-18, 02:41 PM
Thanks but not sure what you mean by only one cable to it. I assume you mean one hot wire between lamp and AC receptacle but not sure how I'd determine that. Wires behind AC receptacle are all old clothed wires so not really sure what's what.
#4
06-30-18, 03:07 PM
A cable consists of two or more wires in a metallic or non metallic sheath.
Then just remove the light, cap the wires with wirenuts, and use a blank cover plate.
Wires behind AC receptacle are all old clothed wires so not really sure what's what.
#5
07-01-18, 05:19 AM
I agree, capping the wires and using a blank cover plate will be easiest.
It looks like it could be knob and tube wiring (wall sconces are pretty good giveaway). It's probably not worth the effort to try to correctly abandon the wires, since they may come/go different places. I'd just cover it, which leaves you code (and safety) compliant.
It looks like it could be knob and tube wiring (wall sconces are pretty good giveaway). It's probably not worth the effort to try to correctly abandon the wires, since they may come/go different places. I'd just cover it, which leaves you code (and safety) compliant.
#8
07-02-18, 03:56 AM
Member
A smoke alarm would be of little use since it would be mounted so low.
#9
07-02-18, 04:58 AM
Thanks all. Capped it off and put a cover plate over it. It's in my daughter's room and she will be putting a picture over it to cover it up.
Thankfully, I have no knob and tube wiring in the home..
Last question though, when I removed the caps on the wires, I noticed there was no electrical tape under the caps. I wrapped the connections in tape before putting the caps on. Is that incorrect? I'm now thinking to myself that tape can slide off and take the cap with it?
Thankfully, I have no knob and tube wiring in the home..
Last question though, when I removed the caps on the wires, I noticed there was no electrical tape under the caps. I wrapped the connections in tape before putting the caps on. Is that incorrect? I'm now thinking to myself that tape can slide off and take the cap with it?
