How to Replace a Light Fixture

7 SIMPLE STEPS TO 
REPLACING A LIGHT
FIXTURE

Recently, the pull string ripped out of the ceiling light in my closet, rendering me unable to turn the light on or off. I chose to replace the ceiling fixture with a new, similar pull string light. I took a few photos to show how to replace a light fixture in a few simple steps. The pictures will be specific to the fixture I am using, but can be used to install or take out any surface mount ceiling light fixture.

Steps:

1. Turn off your power. This should be done before any other steps. For instructions on how to do this refer back to my "How to reset a circuit breaker" post or just click the highlighted link. Just flipping the light switch off will not work!!! Flipping the wall switch only stops the electricity from going to the light bulb, but the wiring behind the fixture will still be live.

2.  Take out the bulb and set it some place safe. Then remove the screws, bolts, or whatever is securing the light fixture.

3. Next check to see if the electricity was correctly turned off. Use a voltage tester to see if there is any electricity in the wires. Depending on the type of tester used, there may be a small reading caused by your body's own electrical current of 1-2 volts. This is normal, but if the voltmeter reads 110-130 volts, go back to your breaker box and turn off the electricity. Other voltage testers will use a simple light bulb that lights up if there is sufficient electrical current to cause harm. 

4. Now that there is no electricity, you can remove the wires. Loosen the screws holding the wires in place and then pull the wiring off without damaging the wiring.

5.  If the new light fixture is similar to or identical to the fixture before, then just reattach the wires. I ran into the problem where my first light had connections for 2 sets of wiring but the new fixture only accommodated 1 set of wires. I solved this problem by using a wire connectors and extra wiring to reduce 2 white and 2 black wires to 1 black and 1 white wire. (I will addressed this in a future blog.) 

Note: The connection terminal screws in the light fixture were color coded for the wiring in my ceiling.  The white wire connects to the silver screw and the black wire connects to the gold screw. 

6. Reattach the fixture to the ceiling. 

7. Reinstall the bulb and restore the power by turning on the circuit breaker.  Confirm your light turns on. 

This is a fairly simple job. I replaced the fixture in 15-20 min even with the time it took to take photos and combine the two sets of wires for the new fixture. 

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