How to Install a Light Fixture
Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about How to Install a Light Fixture and hope the blog can help you.
Yes, you’re handling electrical wires but no, you shouldn’t be intimidated! Follow basic safety precautions (and learn which colored wire goes where), and you’ll have that light fixture up and on in under an hour.
While any projects having to do with electricity are not to be taken lightly, installing a light fixture is a task many DIYers, with careful preparation and attention to detail, can handle. Switching out a dated fixture for one that better suits a home’s style can do a lot to freshen up a space. And while shoppers will find many fixtures that are quite affordable, the expense of hiring an electrician could put a damper on dreams of updated lighting. Take heart: Learning how to install a light fixture isn’t too hard, and many DIYers probably already have many of the necessary tools, although you may have to pick up an inexpensive voltage detector.
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Before You Begin
Understanding some of the fundamentals of electricity and wiring before attempting to install a light fixture will go a long way to ensuring the safe and successful completion of the project.
It’s important to understand, for example, that all electrical power is fed through a meter to a breaker panel, which contains several breakers tied to specific parts of a home. Shutting off a single breaker shuts off power to that zone, whereas shutting off the main breaker box closes off power to the entire home.
Also know that simply turning off a light switch doesn’t mean the wires in the light switch box aren’t “hot.” Speaking of wires, DIYers should know that black or red is the current, white is neutral, and green or copper is the ground wire.
RELATED: Solved! Electrical Wire Colors and What They Mean
Project Overview
Working Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Estimated Cost: $50, plus the cost of the selected fixture
Tools & Materials
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