How to install a ceiling light fixture box

I would implore you to call a electrician. There are numerous nuances in a simple job(for a electrician)that a layman would not be able to identify and take care of. Wire stapling distance,penetration of walls and headers,installation of. Acres is probably kicking himself for not mentioning the need to test the existing box. If in doubt about the ability of the existing box to permanently support the weight of the fan, call a professional to do the.

Slide a stud sensor across the ceiling in the area you want to install a junction box for your electric light fixture. Please follow my page for more tips and check out this website for great deals from. Draw the outline of the back of the junction box on the drywall where you plan to install the fixture. Cut out the opening with a drywall saw.

Cut a hole in the drywall below the box to run the wires and other connections to the light or fan. Step - Wire the Outlet Box Wire the outlet electrical wires to the electrical cable by matching up up the colors of the wires and connect together by stripping the wires if needed. Connect the neutral wire from the light fixture to the neutral white wire (s) in the box. If your fixture is wired with lamp-style cord rather than white (neutral) and black (hot) wires, identify the neutral wire by looking for silver conductors, writing, squared corners, or ribs or indentations on the insulation.

The unmarked wire is the hot wire. Light fixtures that simply protrude from the ceiling or wall without a junction box are just a fire waiting to happen. Therefore, use this simple step-by-step guide to remove the old light fixture and install a new one with a proper junction box.

Ceiling light boxes consist of metal or plastic boxes. If your light fixture pulls out from the ceiling , chances are that the light box has cracked or the screws holding the box into the ceiling. Remove the light bulb cover and bulbs from the fixture. Unscrew the screws or nuts holding the fixture base to the ceiling box. Lower the fixture base and remove the electrical tape or wire nuts from the black (hot) wire, white (neutral) wire, an if present, green (ground) wire.

Position the brace directly above the ceiling box. From below, use wood screws to attach the ceiling box securely to the brace. If you do not have access to work above the ceiling , you can install an expanding metal brace from below to support the ceiling box and fan.

The box must be acceptable for use with your light fixture and be securely attached to the building structure to support the weight of the fixture. It must also be grounde or attached to a ground wire in the ceiling. Keep in min what makes a ceiling fan electrical box different from a traditional light fixture box is the bracing.

Ceiling fan boxes must include bracing that attaches to the ceiling joists to support the greater weight and vibration that comes with a ceiling fan installation. Disconnect the existing light fixture. Run cable from the power source to a switch box and then to the first hole, allowing at least inches of extra cable to make wiring easy. Use a drill with a long drill bit to avoid cutting additional access holes that will need patching later.

Cut openings into the ceiling , or wall surfaces for the boxes, for the switch(es), and for the fixture support by first tracing around the box on the wall or ceiling surface. Be sure to match the switch box height to those in the rest of your home. Surface-mounted light fixtures are mounted directly to a housing box , either flush with the ceiling or wall or suspended from the ceiling box by a cord or chain. Most new fixtures come with their own mounting hardware and adapt easily to any standard fixture box. Measure the ceiling and locate the electrical box in the center of the room.

Mark the outlines for the ceiling electrical box and electrical switch box with a pencil. Use an oscillating saw to cut around the outline of the electrical boxes. Cut a hole with the oscillating saw where the wall meets the ceiling to allow access for the fish tape. With the fixture out of the way, try to determine whether the electrical box is securely fastened to a ceiling joist or support bracket.

If your ceiling box is enclosed by drywall or other material, you may need to access the joists from above, such as through the attic, to inspect it and attach a support brace if needed. Installing a ceiling fan is relatively simple, especially if the space above is accessible from an attic. Installing a braced ceiling box , will allow you to install a ceiling fan in the future. The Silicon Underground David L. Finally, install the correct bulbs, turn the electricity back on, and admire the radiance of your new ceiling light fixture ! How To: Install a Light Fixture.

Install a plastic old-work ceiling junction box if your fixture weighs pounds or less. Push the box into the hole in the ceiling until the lip of the box is flush with the drywall. How to Install Ceiling Light Fixtures. There were black wires from the old fixture connected to an orange wire. Then, I had white wires connected.

These were the neutral wires. The light fixture also had a brass wire (grounding wire) connected to the green screw on the metal mounting strap. Remove any light bulb cover and bulbs from the fixture and then unscrew the screws or nuts holding the fixture base to the ceiling box.

Electrical Tips: Replacing a Light Fixture.