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Installing a ceiling light can transform the look and feel of any room. The idea of handling wires might sound intimidating. However, the process is straightforward as long as you follow safety guidelines and take your time.
In this guide, we'll show you how to install a ceiling light from start to finish, breaking it down into easy-to-follow instructions.
Let’s get started!
The junction box, where you connect the ceiling lights, has three main types of wires. The ceiling light fixture you are going to connect will also have those color-coded wires. They are:
These are the most common colors. However, there can be some other colors like blue and yellow for commercial or industrial settings. Some houses also use red for the hot wire.
Make sure the junction box (electrical box/ outlet box/ceiling box) is secured and in good condition. Different boxes can hold different sizes of ceiling lights. Make sure the box fits with your specific fixture.
Here is a checklist before you start:
Turn off the power before removing the old ceiling light. Unscrew the shade from the fixture first. Take note of the color coding of the wires for easy reconnection later.
Unscrew the screws holding the mounting bracket after that. Then gently lower the fixture and remove the wiring as needed. Always disconnect the ground wire first.
Although the general purpose of a ceiling light is illumination, a well-lit space always appears more attractive. Installing the ceiling light is not as hard as it seems.
First, unbox and assemble the light fixtures to make sure you have all the parts at hand. Then follow these steps to properly install a ceiling light in your home:
Safety always comes first. If you are replacing an old light, you might have already turned your power off. Ensure the power is off before installing a new one. Double-check for electricity with a voltage tester in the wire.
The light is connected to the ceiling with a mounting bracket. These mounting brackets are mostly made of metals. Although, there can be other materials.
Get the bracket lined up with the holes in the ceiling. Usually, there are two holes on the bracket and two holes on the flanges that come off of the electrical box. Wires go through the middle. Line the holes up and use screws to tighten them on the ceiling.
Connect the same colored wires together:
It’s always a good idea to connect the bare coppers first. In case the light slips out of your hand when you are working alone, the bare copper will hold it.
Join the wires and cap them using wire nuts. You can use tapes on the wire and caps so that it doesn’t short-circuit when the cap falls off.
Lift the light up and push the wires in as you go.
The lamp will have holes matching the mounting bracket and ceiling (where screws went to hold them together). Align the holes (now with screws) with the lamp holes and use a nut to secure the light to the ceiling (or mounting bracket).
Some lights may have other features for attaching to the mount. Follow the manual’s attachment style.
If your lamp has a pre-installed bulb, then all you need is to slide on the cover and secure it.
In other cases, you need to fit the bulbs first. Then fit the globe or shade above it.
The light should be good to go at this point. Turn on the power and light switch. The ceiling light will turn on.
If it doesn’t turn on, try on basic troubleshooting like checking the wiring, testing the wires, inspecting light fixture, etc.
Ceiling lights should be easy as a DIY task. However, call a professional if you face one of the following:
As principal at Maison Rose Interiors, Rose instills a bit of natural Canadian warmth where she was born and raised, and coastal California where she now lives. Rose’s culturally diverse background and travels abroad are seen in all her objects and ever evolving style. No matter what the style she is asked to create, each space designed by Rose is refined, collected, and unique.
