How to Replace an Outside Light Fixture
- 1). Turn off the circuit breaker to the fixture you want to replace. Make sure that the power is turned off by turning the wall switch to the outside fixture on and off.
- 2). Use a screwdriver or socket wrench to remove the screws or nuts that secure the outside light fixture to the wall. Pull the fixture way from the mounting plate and pull the wires out of the junction box.
- 3). Unscrew the plastic wire caps to disconnect the wires from the light fixture. If the wires are not spliced, cut the wires to the light fixture using wire strippers.
- 4). Remove the mounting plate from the wall by removing the securing screws or bolts.
- 5). Position the new light fixture mounting plate over the junction box and mark the mounting holes with a pencil. Use a drill to drill pilot holes for the mounting screws. If you're using wall anchors, use the appropriate sized drill bit.
- 6). Pull the wires through the center of the new mounting plate and press the mounting plate flush against the wall. Secure the mounting plate.
- 7). Use wire strippers to remove 1/2 inch of insulation from the ends of the wire coming from the wall and on the new light fixture.
- 8). Use plastic wire caps to connect the wires from the wall to the fixture wires. Connect the black wire with black wire and the white wire with white wire. Wrap the end of the green ground wire from the new light fixture around the grounding screw on the mounting plate. Use a screwdriver to tighten the grounding screw.
- 9). Attach the new light fixture to the mounting plate using the attaching hardware provided with the light kit.
- 10
Use a caulking gun to apply a thin bead of silicone caulk around the perimeter of the light fixture. This will help prevent water leaking behind the fixture in the wall. - 11
Screw in an appropriate sized light bulb for your new light fixture. Turn the circuit breaker back on to the light fixture.
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