Installing a ceiling light can be dangerous if improperly done.
When redecorating, it may be necessary to hang a new light fixture to match the light to the new decor. A faulty light fixture also needs replacing. Properly hanging a light fixture prevents it from falling and prevents burnouts. Before starting the project, check that the lighting box allows you to hang up to 50 pounds. The lighting box has a National Electric Code (NEC) printed on it that tells you whether it is safe for the weight you want to hang.
Instructions
1. At the circuit breaker box, turn the power off to the room in which you are hanging the light.
2. Remove the screw that hold the old fixture in place, then lower the fixture down. Remove the screws that hold the light crossbar in place to remove the light from the ceiling.
3. Touch a non-contact to the wires in the light box to check for an electrical charge. If the voltage connector lights up, there is electricity going to the fixture and it is not safe to work on. Check the circuit breaker.
4. Turn the circuit breaker back on and touch the non-contact voltage connector to the red wire. The connector should light up. Turn the power off again.
5. Touch one probe of the voltmeter to the red, hot wire and the other end to the metal box. The voltmeter should light up to indicate it is grounded. If no light appears, call an electrician to have a ground installed.
6. Attach a ground wire to the box if there is not one already present. Wrap a 6-inch length of bare copper wire to the No. 10-32 screw inside your box. It is marked with this number. Wrap the wire to the screw, in a clockwise direction, then tighten the screw down to the box.
7. Assemble the light according to the instructions on the box.
8. Attach the crossbar to the ceiling box by screwing it to the ceiling. Have an assistant support the light while you attach the crossbar.
9. Attach the red wire and white wire from the light to the wire with the corresponding color coming down from the box. Attach the two wires by sliding a wire connector over the two wires and twisting it together. Any uncolored or yellow wires coming from the light are the hot wires, and are attached to the red or black wire coming from the box. Connect the neutral wire from the lamp to the neutral wire in the box. Neutral wires from the lamp either are marked or have silver conductors. Neutral wires in the box are white or have silver conductors.
10. Close the box by sliding up the light canopy and tightening the canopy nut over the crossbar.
Tags: circuit breaker, light fixture, voltage connector, coming from, from lamp, from light