Replace A Fluorescent Ceiling Light In My Kitchen

Fluorescent lights have stylish diffuser panels to enhance your decor.

Replacing a fluorescent ceiling light in your home is not a difficult job, but the task does require respect for electricity and attention to detail. You should be prepared to record the colors and position of the wires in the existing fixture as you dismantle it in preparation for the installation of a new fixture. Your new fixture may or may not be the exact size of the one you are replacing. Be prepared to mount your new fixture using new drill holes and hardware.

Instructions

Removing the Existing Fixture

1. Turn on the light. Have a helper flip switches or remove fuses at your electrical box one by one until the light goes off, showing that you've cut the power to the light.

2. Remove the diffuser panel that covers the bulbs within your existing light fixture. Remove the fluorescent tubes or bulbs.

3. Remove the ballast cover that is covering the wiring. Record on your notepad how the wires are connected. Make special note of the color of the wire connectors as you remove their black and white caps.

4. Test the wires with your circuit tester to confirm that the power is off. Separate the wires from the fixture and remove the base of the light from the ceiling.

Putting Up Your New Fluorescent Light Fixture

5. Remove the fixture from its packing box. If they are attached, separate the ballast cover from the base of your new unit. Punch out the center section and pull the ceiling wires through the base.

6. Position the fixture base on the ceiling and use your pencil to mark the position of the holes that will take the mounting hardware.

7. Take the fixture down. Put on your safety glasses and drill mounting holes at your pencil marks. If your drill hits a wooden joist, you will need to use wood screws to attach your fixture. If your drill goes through the drywall with little resistance, you will need to use toggle bolts.

8. Hold the base of the fixture in place. Have a helper hold the base as you pull the wires through the center knockout. Attach the base to the ceiling using your screwdriver to tighten either your toggle bolts or wood screws.

9. Connect the wires black to black and white to white according to your notes. If necessary for a solid connection, strip new wire up from the old using your wire stripper. Screw the black cap over the black wires and the white cap over the white. Attach the bare ground wire to the base using your needle nose pliers to bend and secure the wire. Attach the ballast cover, install the tubes or bulbs and attach the diffuser cover. Replace the fuse or flip the breaker at the circuit box to restore power to your new light.

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