Installing new lighting fixtures in a house is not such an easy task. Many people do not know how to do it. But you are lucky, because here we are going to provide you with a small installation guide.
Remove the old light fixture and test to make sure the power is off
When removing the old light fixture, be sure to turn off the power at the main circuit panel . Remove the screws and lower them. Using a voltage detector, test to make sure the power is off to all wires in the box. Make sure the light switch is turned on .
If the tester lights up, turn off the circuit breakers or loosen the fuses one at a time until the tester light goes out. Then, disconnect the wires from the light fixture . If your home was wired before 1985, do not use any fixtures that require 90° power wires.
Fixtures that are rated for at least 90° will generate heat . This could damage older wiring and potentially cause fires.
Make sure your electrical box has the strength and capacity of your new light fixture
If you've chosen a heavy fixture like a chandelier, check your ceiling electrical box to make sure it will support the weight . Any electrical box that is threaded to access 8-32 screws can hang up to 50 pounds.
Additionally, make sure your electrical box is securely mounted . For fixtures over 50 pounds, you will need to support them independently of the electrical box. This can be done by installing a fan reinforcement box.
Testing a ground wire
Next, turn on the power to the light at the main circuit panel and turn on the light switch. Use the tester to make sure the hot wire is live. Touch the leads of a neon voltage tester between the hot wire and the metal box.
You can also touch the leads of the voltage tester between the hot wire and the bare copper ground wire if there is one. If the tester lights up, that's it. If it doesn't light up, that means there is no ground. Turn off the power to that main circuit panel and contact a licensed electrician .
Fixing the light fixture
Align the back of the canopy or the side that fits against the ceiling with the crossbar. And adjust the length of the threaded pipe on the loop of the screw clamp. Lock the threaded pipe in this position by tightening the lock nut against the crossbar. The key to a successful installation is to assemble and adjust the parts before climbing the ladder.
To do this, first thread the screws or pipe through the crossbar . Align the crossbar with the top of the canopy and adjust the screws or pipe inward or outward. Then mount the crossbar to the electrical box, connect the wires and the light fixture.
Screw the crossbar to the box
Place the wires on one side of the crossbar. Screw the crossbar to the box. This will likely require two people , as someone will need to support the fixture while you screw it in.
Connect the wires
Connect the neutral wire from the fixture to the white neutral wire in the box. If your fixture is wired with a lamp-type cord rather than white (neutral) and black (hot) wires, identify the neutral wire by looking for silver conductors , writing, square corners, ribs, or indentations in the insulation.
Your hot wire will be the unmarked wire . Connect this wire to the colored hot wire in the box. Wrap the ground wire clockwise around the ground screw in the crossbar, tightening the screw and connecting the end of the wire to the ground wire.
Close the box
Finally, bend the conductors into the ceiling box and slide the canopy over it. Secure it with a nut to complete the installation. Test to make sure the wires in the box are hot, disconnect the hot neutral and ground wires from the old fixture and leave the other wires in the box.
- Reconnect the new image to these same wires.
- Complete the installation by installing the canopy. If it does not fit snugly against the ceiling, readjust the screws or threaded rod.
- Add bulbs, turn on the power and switch to check your work.
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