A fluorescent light fixture is a relatively inexpensive solution for almost any room.
Fluorescent lights can add much-needed illumination to a dark area in your home without dramatically increasing your electricity bill. As with all ceiling-mounted lights, you must mount the fluorescent light fixture correctly. Fluorescent light fixtures come with a variety of mounting options depending on the model. In most cases the kit comes with mounting screws, which must be mounted to the ceiling studs. In situations where the studs are not accessible, you must use toggle bolts to secure the fixture to the drywall.
Instructions
1. Turn off the power to the home at the main circuit breaker.
2. Place the ladder under the area where you plan to mount the fluorescent light fixture. In most cases, you will be replacing an old light fixture and you need to place the ladder so that you can reach the old fixture.
3. Remove the old light fixture. In general, light fixtures have outer covers that you can remove with a thumbscrew or screwdriver. Unscrew the wire nuts that connect the light fixture to the power source. Unscrew the mounting plate and other components if you have them. Set the old light fixture aside.
4. Use the stud finder to locate the ceiling studs, or joists, located nearest to the area you want to mount the fluorescent light. Mark the stud positions with a pencil. Studs run across the room from end to end, spaced evenly across the room with each stud running parallel to the others. Use a tape measure to write down the distance between each stud.
5. Remove the lens cover from the fluorescent light fixture. Remove the knockout in the center. This is where the power cables enter the fixture and connect to the light.
6. Measure the distance between the pre-drilled mounting holes on the light fixture. If they coincide with the distance between the ceiling joists, you may orient the fixture perpendicular to the joists. If not, you must mount the fixture along a single joist or use toggle bolts.
7. Hold the light fixture's canopy up to the ceiling. Pull the power cables from the ceiling through the knockout.
8. Drive wood screws through the mounting holes into the ceiling joists. If toggle bolts are required, drill small holes in the ceiling that correspond to the mounting holes. Push the toggle bolts through the canopy and into the holes you drilled. Tighten the toggle bolts with the power screwdriver.
9. Connect the wires in the light fixture to the power cables. Match the black wires from the light fixture to the black wire from the ceiling. Insert both wires into a wire nut and twist the nut clockwise to splice the wires together. Repeat this process with the white wires. Attach the green or bare copper wire from the ceiling to the ground screw in the light fixture.
10. Insert the fluorescent bulbs as per the manufacturer's instructions. Replace the lens cover. Turn on power to the home and turn the light on.
Tags: light fixture, toggle bolts, fluorescent light, fluorescent light fixture, distance between, from ceiling