If you are unable to find the circuit, look outside to find the power meter. The switchboard is often close to it inside your home. When you flip the correct switch, the ceiling light will shut off. If the switches aren’t labeled, either turn off the big, main switch or test different switches until the light shuts off.
Consider hooking a lock to the door, especially if small children are able to reach it. You can also get devices that attach to specific breakers to lock them in place so you can still access the rest of the circuit panel if you need to.
Safety is the most important part of changing a light. If you’re ever in doubt about handling wires, contact a registered domestic electrician.
Some ceiling lights are held in place by tabs, which you nudge to the side to detach the shade. Check the owner’s manual for your ceiling light if you have it. It will tell you exactly what you need to do to remove the shade. Alternatively, try searching for the make and model online for advice.
Many bases are held in place by nuts on the screws. You twist the nuts counterclockwise by hand like you would with a bare screw. The base will slide off the screws as soon as the nuts are gone. Have a friend ready to assist you with the base so it doesn’t fall. If you’re working alone, try using painter’s tape to loosely secure the base to the ceiling. If the base starts falling, the tape will catch it and hold it in place while you work on the electrical wires.
Before loosening the wires, consider taking a picture of them so you know exactly how you need to connect the new light.
Voltage detectors are available online or at many hardware stores. Test the voltage detector on a circuit you know is turned on to check if the detector is working correctly. The voltage detector is a precaution to make sure the electricity is completely deactivated before you touch the wires. If the wires are electrified, check the light switch and circuit breaker again to deactivate them.
Always trim frayed wires to eliminate the risk of electrical fires.
In a standard electrical coloring scheme, black and red wires are hot wires, white wires are neutral wires, and green or bare copper wires are ground wires. Consult the owner’s manual for specific instructions on how to connect the wires. Some fixtures have an extra red wire, for instance, and you may need to connect it to a black ceiling wire. Wire color schemes vary from place to place, so research the regulations in your area to find out what each wire color represents. Generally, as long as you match the colored wires together, you will be fine.
Some ceiling lights use box-shaped connectors with holes on opposite sides. Simply plug the stripped ends of the wires into the holes to connect them. [12] X Research source
If you need to replace the screws, twist them counterclockwise by hand. This allows you to remove the mounting bracket. Place the new screws and twist them 3 or 4 times to secure them to the bracket.
Some fixtures use mounting brackets. If yours uses a mounting bracket, connect the bracket to the junction box using the included small screws. Then, hang the base over the mounting screws as you normally would. Some light fixtures have screw holes shaped like keyholes. Adjust the base so the screws are in the smaller grooves at the end of the keyholes. Then, use a screwdriver to tighten the screws.
Using higher-watt bulbs causes the ceiling light to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire. Lower-watt bulbs are safe to use, so err on the side of caution. Light fixtures generally handle incandescent bulbs up to 60 watts. For an eco-friendly choice, switch to CFL or LED bulbs. They have a lower wattage than incandescent bulbs despite giving off the same amount of light. These bulbs prevent overheating and save you money in the long run!
If the lights don’t turn on, are flickering, or appear dim, chances are the wiring isn’t correct. Turn off the power supply again, then unscrew the light fixture. Examine the wiring for loose connections and other mistakes.
Every light has different connecting components. Some lights have end pieces that fit over the shade, for instance, and you need to twist them clockwise until it is snug against the shade.
