Tower Hill

Archive for November, 2009

Back in the early 1800’s  light fixtures were pretty much just hung from wherever they were needed to be hung from.  Back then electricity was so new and merely functional at best.  Homeowners just wanted to get those those light fixtures up and around the room with little regard to much of anything else.  Often some of these fixtures were heavy and needed more support.  Plaster used to be fashioned around the where the fixture would attach to the ceiling to glue it to that spot.  Later medallions were made to better accomodate the lighting fixtures.  Today’s electrical codes require that a junction box be added so now a canopy that is removable can be added to the fixture so that if any electrical work is required then it is accessible more easily.  Today’s standard canopies are 5″ in diameter with a 1″ shoulder hole made to accommodate the power cable.  If you do use a plaster one you might want to think twice and make yourself a second one just in case during the installation it gets broken and you have to forego adding that fixture which also means a second visit from your electrician.