Products

Installing a heavy light fixture or fan from a suspended ceiling can be easy or hard, depending on how you do it. The hard way is to install blocking in a dark, dusty, cluttered ceiling plenum while unsecured communication cables snag your hammering arm with every swing. The easy way is to use a FBRS420SC Fan/Fixture Box from Arlington Industries. Rated for 70 pounds, it comes fully assembled and includes a 20-cubic-inch octagonal workbox. It costs about $25. Arlington Industries, 800/233-4717, www.aifittings.com

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, "Homes wired with aluminum wire manufactured before 1972 are 55 times more likely to have one or more connections reach ‘fire-hazard condition' than homes wired with copper." But short of a complete rewire, what can you do? One solution is to use an AlumiConn. This little terminal block...