Attaching lights to a ceiling is something that, with care and instruction, even a beginning do-it-yourself homeowner can accomplish. Ceiling lights can attach flush-mount directly to the ceiling or hang from the ceiling as a chandelier.
Instructions
1. Turn off electricity in the room you plan to work. Test the line with a voltage tester to ensure no current remains in the line.
Turn off electricity from the fuse box. Your fuse box will be in the basement or fixed to the outside of the home. Open the box, and find the switch for the appropriate room. Depending on the fuse box, disable power by pulling the switch down or to the "Off" position. If the switches are not marked, you may need to experiment by flipping switches until you find the right one. Enlist the aid of a helper to make this task easier.
To test for a dead circuit, go inside, remove the screws holding the switch plate in place, and pull the switch box out from the wall. Place one probe from the tester on the ground wire and at the same time place the probe on the red or black hot wire. An indicator light will alert you to current remaining in the line. If current remains, turn off the main breaker switch on the fuse box, and disable all power to the house.
2. Bring wiring through and out of the electrical box. Use the wire stripper to peel 3/4 inch of insulated plastic covering from the ends of the wires.
3. Attach the mounting bracket, or mounting strap, by screwing it into the electrical box. A mounting strap attaches at both ends of the electrical box, and a threaded nipple runs through the middle.
4. Connect and secure wires. Attach the grounding wire (copper or green colored) to the mounting strap, wrap it around the green grounding screw on the mounting strap and tighten to secure. Connect remaining wires by matching wire color. To secure, twist them together, and secure with a wire nut. Wrap wires with electrical tape, and tuck them up into the electrical box.
5. Attach ceiling fixture. Place the fixture cover over the mounting strap nipple, and twist to tighten. Add a light bulb, turn electricity back on from the fuse box and test from the room light switch. For light bulb selection, check the manual on your light. If the manual is not available, a general rule is that the majority of ceiling fixtures can accept up to a 60-watt bulb. A higher wattage bulb could cause the insulation surrounding the wires to burn.
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