Installing a Light Fixture

Installing a light fixture in the home is one that requires a little knowledge of heat and electricity. Finding the right fixture requires some knowledge of wiring, it also pays to have some knowledge of mounting strength or how much weight can the current ceiling box hold? Always ask the opinion of a lighting professional when choosing the proper light. Having the age of the home and if the box is metal or not in the ceiling could help them.

Tools needed a multi -meter, Screw drivers Phillips and flat, line mans pliers, needle nose pliers, wire nuts assorted, a ladder and a flashlight.

Removing the old light will require one to make sure the electricity is off. Pulling the main breaker is one solution and the safest solution. If you are in a family type home with others be sure everyone knows the main is off, so no one decides to go turn it on without checking. Use a multi-meter to insure the power is off to the receptacle before totally removing the old fixture. Put the meter on volts while the power is on to test it, use a quality meter when doing this type work. After removing the cover or ornamental plate on will find that to remove the fixture will require screw driers or pliers. Take the screws out and remove the old light, after of course checking to make sure power is off. Remove wires one by one remembering where each wire went. There should be on a standard one switch light three possible wires to remove.

There should be a green wire along with a black and white wire. Remember which wire went where as it is important for the white [common wire] and the Black [hot wire] to go back on the same wires in the ceiling. The green wire if it is there is good this is the ground wire. If this wire is not on the existing light one can install a cross bar on the box to accommodate it, this wire does not carry electricity it is merely a safety wire that goes to ground it is important to hook this wire up.

After choosing the right light although it is a good ideal to have an electrician do this if you are unsure of yourself. If one does have basic wiring knowledge and feels confident to precede hook up black wire where it should go using the right size wire nut to tighten it. Screw wire nut on both wires tightly pulling slightly on them when finished to make sure they are secure. Do this each time a wire is hooked up it is important that they have a solid connection.

The green wire should be screwed down tightly on the cross bar to insure a good ground. The cross bar is a support that bridges the metal box in the ceiling. Follow instructions on assembling and installing new light kit as well. When one is finished have someone stay with fixture while the other goes to turn main breaker back on just in case. Leave light switch off until ready to test. Test the light after installing bulbs. Now it should be ready for use.