Let's change a light fixture...

Let's change a light fixture...

Whether you are changing a fixture because it is ugly and you are tired of looking at it or just because you want a fresh new look, you can do it yourself.

First make sure you have a safe step ladder. Turn the circuit breaker off or if you wish just turn off the light at the wall switch. Place ladder securely under light. Place your straight and phillips screwdriver or your four in one screwdriver on the top of the ladder. Place your pliers and electric tape there as well. Look at the fixture carefully. Remove the glass shade or cups which ever you have. Remove the bulbs and then find out how the fixture is fixed to the ceiling. It is either held up with one center nut or two screws. The two screws may also be facing down towards you with two rounded nuts at the end of each. Remove the retaining nuts or screws, lamp should also have a non-electric wire holding it up, leave this wire alone for now. Remove the wire nuts from the lamp wires which connect to the house wires. Now remove the non-electric wire and light fixture is, or should be unattached. Place the old fixture out of your way. Look at all the parts included with your new fixture. Look to see if the new lamp has the same type of assembly as the old one, if it does you can proceed to assemble it, if not you will have to remove the silver bracket which is still on the ceiling screwed into the junction or electric octagon box. Remove this by removing the two screws. Keep these screws handy in case your new fixture is not equipped with them. Now place the new bracket onto the octagon box with the two screws. Assemble your lamp if required. Now using the non-electric wire which is connected to your new fixture, tie this around the silver bracket. Don't worry if it is too long, you can easily cut off the excess. Now connect your white lamp wire to the white house wire, followed by the black lamp wire to the black house wire. Use your new wire nuts for this. Place a small piece of black tape around the wire nut where it meets the wire. If your lamp has a green wire, this is a ground wire you can attach this to either of the two screws holding upt the bracket. Now place lamp against ceiling and fasten the two screws or the center nut. If your fixture is equipped with a chain you will need to adjust this to the proper length by removing links. Place the bulbs and glas shade or cups and secure in place. Turn on circuit breaker or light switch and you are done.

The non-electric wire I mentioned a few times usually only is found on larger fixtures so don't worry if yours doesn't have one. This wire is just there to help support the weight of the lamp, it has no electrical power.

The assembly of your fixture may differ a little from the way I described, but for the most part this is how they all are. Along with my suggestions refer to the owner's instructions which came with your fixture, and you can do it yourself.

Throw away your old lamp, or recycle it by giving it away. Put your ladder away, sit back and enjoy your handy work.