Adding a New Light Fixture
Adding a new light fixture can really change the ambiance of a room,
There is definitely some planning that you’ll want to consider,
First and formost, it’s recommended that the power is turned off at the breaker box, I prefer to turn the power off at the switch and then use a power tester at the light fixture connection and make sure not of the wires are hot (beeping from the tester, no beeps=good to go)
Time to remove the old light (or fan),
Take your time removing the old light, take out all the bulbs and any glass globes or whatever,
After the fan is removed, examine the support bracket and make sure it’s secure,
When connecting a new light fixture there may be a need to improvise, it’s always a good idea to have some sheet metal screws and some drill bits sufficient for drilling metal….This way new holes can be added, when connecting your current light fixture hardware with the existing bracket from the the old light fixture that was just removed,
Once the initial plate/bracket that came with the new light fixture is securely fastened to the ceiling bracket,
Your on your way,
If one is doing an install solo, an A-frame latter can suppurt the new fixtue wile your writing and connecting the new plate to the fixture,
If a fixture has a chain, you’ll want to shorten it if need be, two pair of plyers will do the trick,
Run the wire through the chain, take your time, we don’t want to get a kink,
Lift up your fixture and place it on top of your A-frame latter at a good height to connect your wires,
White, gray and green are neautral, black and red are hot, although with new fixtures, there’s two blacks and a ground, so it doesn’t matter when connecting hot and neutral, the gound wires are copper colored,
Grab your wire stripper and prepare your wires for connection,
i prefer to twist the wires together and place electrical tape on the bottom, this way when a screw on my plastic wire twist caps, there’s no exposed wire, this will prevent any challanges occurring from a crossed wire,
Once your wires are connected, it’s time to connect the finished plate to your bracket, tuck the wires in, lift the fixture and align your screws, put your finished nuts on,
And….
Yout Good 2 Go!!
gojoehandyman.com