If you’re installing a new light fixture, you’re probably excited to get started. But before plugging in any tools, there are a few things to consider first: When installing wiring in an unfinished ceiling, it’s important that you mount the fixture securely and safely. This will help keep it from falling on someone or causing other damage. So before you start working with wires or mounting screws, make sure that your area is well-lit and free of clutter—who wants to trip over extension cords or bump into furniture while working with live electricity?
Gather the tools you need
- You’ll need a screwdriver to remove the old fixture and install the new one.
- Wire strippers are used to strip away the wire’s outer coating so you can attach it to something else.
- An electric drill is helpful when installing a light fixture into drywall or plaster wall surfaces, but not necessary for other materials such as concrete block walls or cinder blocks (unless there are screws that require drilling).
- A utility knife is useful for cutting through paper, plastic, and other materials you may encounter during installation.
- Pliers help you bend wires into place once they’ve been connected in an electrical box. They’re also great for gripping objects with added leverage—like stubborn bolts!
Turn off the electricity in the area where you’ll be working
If you’re installing a light fixture in an area that doesn’t have any existing wiring, you’ll want to turn off the power at the main breaker. If you’re working with an outlet that already has some lights installed in it, then you can simply turn off the switch for that particular outlet.
You should always use a circuit tester when working with electricity so that there’s no chance of getting shocked. Circuit testers are cheap and easy to use—just be sure to flip them around so they’re not pointing toward yourself or anyone else who might accidentally touch it!
If you aren’t familiar with how electricity works and don’t know where your main breakers are located, ask for help from an experienced electrician!
Remove the old fixture
Next, you’ll need to remove the old fixture. This will be easier if you used a Phillips screwdriver to remove it in the first place, but if not, use your hands or pliers to unscrew any remaining screws from the junction box. Then, inspect the wires connected to the old light fixture. If they’re loose, tighten them with a screwdriver and make sure they don’t touch any other wires or electrical components before removing them completely from their sockets.
If there’s no room for another outlet in your electric box (which is likely) or if getting power up into your attic isn’t possible (which is also likely), then you may need to work with an electrician who can add more wiring and outlets outside of your home.
Install a mounting strap if needed
Mounting straps are typically used to support light fixtures that are installed on the ceiling or high on a wall. If you need to install an outlet or switch, this is where you can mount them. You can use a mounting strap if your light fixture has no existing wiring and needs to be hung from the ceiling, like a pendant light or chandelier.
If you don’t have one already, get one at your local hardware store! They’re fairly inexpensive and easy to find; just make sure that it is compatible with whatever type of bulb you plan on using (this will vary depending on the brand).
Mounting the light fixture
- Make sure the light fixture is level.
- Attach the mounting strap to the ceiling box and then attach it to the light fixture, using a screwdriver or an electric drill with a screwdriver bit in it. Connecting these two parts of your light fixture will be very similar to connecting two batteries in a flashlight—you’ll need to connect positive (+) wires together and negative (-) wires together, as well as make sure they’re all connected properly at their respective ends: black wire goes on black screw/end/terminal, the white wire goes on white screw/end/terminal, etc.. If you’re not sure which is which then just look for labels in English on each end (or side).
Connect the wires in the fixture to the house wires
Now that the fixture is up and running, you can connect the fixture to your house. You’ll want to take care when doing this so that you don’t electrocute yourself or start a fire.
To connect the wires in your light fixture with those in your house, use wire nuts (the kind you twist onto bare wires). These are usually small plastic cylinders with metal prongs sticking out of them at one end and little holes at the other end; they generally come packaged in sets of three or four different sizes. For example, if the diameter of a wire nut is too small for its job (a risk if using an oversized bulb), its loose prongs could break off inside another object like a lampshade or paintbrush handle—making it difficult to remove without damaging whatever else it touches! The opposite can also happen: if used on wires whose diameters are too large for them (again because of oversized bulbs), excess material might poke out of one side after being twisted shut—creating something akin to an electrical short circuit! It’s best not even try using a wire nut on anything but perfectly sized wires; just use them as little as possible instead!
Attach the base to the ceiling box
Make sure you attach your light fixture to the ceiling box securely, using two screws that are long enough to penetrate through both the base and into the box. Check that your angle is level and secure before moving on!
Install the new fixture
- Attach the fixture to the mounting strap
You’ve already marked where you want your new light to hang. Now, attach it to the mounting strap. If there isn’t enough slack in your wires, use wire cutters or a wire stripper to extend them as necessary. If you’re using a pre-made box for your ceiling fixture, screw on one end of it now and tighten it with a screwdriver. This makes it easy for you to get everything lined up before securing both ends together with some screws (which we’ll do later).
- Attach the fixture itself
If this is your first attempt at installing lights in a room, take note: once mounted into place via screws or anchors (depending on whether it’s metal or plastic), fixtures are pretty difficult and heavy for one person alone—so if possible ask someone else for help! When attaching any fixture that has three separate parts—lights themselves plus reflector and shade/lens—you must make sure they’re facing forward so they’ll be visible when looking straight on down at them from overhead (for example: if they have an opaque shade covering all sides except one side that points towards the ceiling). You might need extra hands here too because these components can be difficult due to their weightiness; luckily there are many different types available today so chances are good finding ones that aren’t solid metal but made instead out of lightweight materials like plastic.”
Turn on the electricity and test out your work!
You’re almost done! Turn on the electricity and test out your work. Check that:
- The fixture is installed correctly, with all wires properly connected to the terminals in their proper slots.
- The light bulbs are in place and working properly. If you want to make sure there are no loose connections, remove one of the bulbs (and replace it), then turn off the power again at the circuit breaker for 10 seconds or so before turning it back on. If everything seems fine the first time around, plug in any other devices that use electricity in that room or outlet—such as a lamp—and turn them back on as well.
- The switches are functioning as they should be; flip them up/down and side-to-side several times while observing whether they move easily and stay put when released. Make sure both switches work independently of each other (i.e., you should be able to turn on either switch separately). Also check that when both switches are up, the light turns off; if not, try reversing their positions.
You have now learned how to install light fixture. This can be quite a daunting task for those inexperienced with home improvement, but with the right tools, knowledge, and patience, there’s no reason why you can’t do it yourself. Just remember that it’s important to turn off the power at the breaker box before starting work on any project involving electricity in order to avoid accidents!
Tonsda Lighting products will also be accompanied by installation instructions for guidance. If you have further questions, you can also consult our professionals for further support.
