How to Change a Light Fixture

Changing a light fixture can be a doable DIY project.  However, as with any job involving electricity, there are a number of steps to take to keep yourself safe.  Here’s Lou with his step-by-step process on how to change a light fixture in no time at all.

Here’s what you can do if you want to figure out how to change a light fixture:

• Turn off the breaker – this is not optional! Then test to make sure there’s still no electricity running to the fixture (you can even leave the light on to get a visual confirmation it’s off)
• Remove the existing fixture to expose the mounting box that contains the wiring
• Your new light fixture comes with a similar box which contains the wires you’ll need to connect to the power inside the ceiling
• Connect the wires that correspond in color – white to white, black to black – twisting by hand, then connecting with wire nuts that come with the new light fixture
• Gently work the connected wires back into the mounting box inside the ceiling
• Slide the new mounting base over the screws descending from the mounting bracket and screw it in place
• Insert a light bulb
• Cover the light bulb with the lens cover and tighten it with the screws in the bracket

Turn the breaker on and you should be in business!