How to Replace a Ceiling Light with a New Fixture
- 1). Turn off the power to the fixture, both at the switch in the room and at the house's main circuit-breaker box. Double-check by switching on the light and seeing that it does not come on. Make sure everyone else in the house knows you are working on the circuit and that they should not restore power to it until you are finished.
- 2). Take down the old fixture, starting with any decorative glass attached to it. Unscrew the set screws or anchor screw holding the glass bowl in place. The set screws are along the edge of the fixture, holding the glass bowl in place by tension. An anchor screw would be found at the base of the glass. Be sure to hold the glass up as you loosen the screws, or it will fall as they are eased.
- 3). Unscrew the faceplate of the fixture where it meets the ceiling. Pull it down to reveal the wires beneath. Pull the wires out of the metal box that contains them, and disconnect them at each wire nut. Set the old light fixture aside.
- 4). Pull out the wires for the new fixture, making sure there is at least 1/2 inch of exposed metal on each of the three wires. Follow the directions that came with the fixture, but generally you will match up the wires according to their colors.
- 5). Lift the light to reach the ceiling wires, having someone help you support it while you work on the wires. Attach the wires in the fixture to the wires in the electric box, securing them with the new wire nuts that came with the new fixture. Wrap a little electrical tape around each wire nut and wire intersection for extra safety.
- 6). Push the wires fully back into the electrical box in the ceiling. Attach the new light fixture to the box, using the hardware that came with it. Tighten all the screws.
- 7). Put light bulbs in the sockets of the new fixture, and attach any decorative glass.
- 8). Turn the power on, first at the circuit box and then in the room, to power up your new light fixture.
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