How To Install a Ceiling Light/Fixture

Installing a ceiling light can seem like a daunting task. However, doing so can really update the space completely changing the space. It also can dramatically change the lighting of the room and how it is perceived. Here are some common steps taken in order to install that new ceiling light.

1. There are certain items and tools that will be needed. We will need the new light fixture of course. We will also want to have a ladder, voltage detector, and wire nuts.

2. Then we want to turn the power off to the switch that controls the light fixture being replaced by turning off the circuit breaker.

3. Now we want to test the wires in the ceiling box with a voltage detector to confirm that the power is in fact off.

4. At this point we can now remove the existing light fixture. Oftentimes there are screws or decorative nuts around the base of the light fixture that need to be removed. Once they are removed then we can carefully lower the existing light fixture to the ground.

5. Now that the light fixture is gone, now we can locate and make sure that there is a black hot wire, a white neutral wire, and bare copper wire for the ground wire.

6. Now we can connect the wires from the ceiling to the corresponding wires from the light fixture. Black to black, white to white, and bare copper or green insulated to the existing ground wire in the box. Sometimes it isn't alway this easy though. If the fixture doesn't have a white neutral, you will probably see two wires of the same color. the wire that has ridges on it is the neutral. The smooth wire is the hot.

7. Next we can push all of the wires up into the box and connect the base of the fixture to the ceiling box. Also, make sure that it is square before fully tightening it all down.

8. At this point the circuit breaker can be turned back on and the light fixture can be tested.

9. If your particular light fixture didn't have the bulbs installed, now would be the time to do that.

Keep in mind that every light fixture and every home's wiring is going to be different in some way or ways. So it is always important to follow the included instructions with the light fixture being installed. Also, electricity is nothing to play around with. If you feel at all uncomfortable about working with it, then make sure to call a licensed electrician who can handle it all for you. If you would like a visual representation of this install, you can click on the video below to see how I installed mine. Hope this helped!