How To Install a Floodlight

Installing a floodlight on your property increases the safety, security and visibility and is a great enhancement that is easily made to the exterior of the home. There are a wide variety of floodlights on the market, in a variety of styles and functions. A wide selection can be found at your neighborhood home improvement or hardware stores, and an array can be found online. Installing a floodlight is a straightforward and simple electrical project that does not require a professional, provided the wiring is already in place. Here you will find the information that you need to install a beautiful and functional light fixture on the exterior of your home.

Step 1 - Identify the Location

The first step will be to identify the location that you want to install the floodlight. You will want to keep several things in mind before you purchase your light. Some of the most important considerations is the height of the fixture. If the light is too high, it will not illuminate the ground. If it is too low, then that is all that it will illuminate. Consider too the distance that you will want to illuminate. Finally, when you are shopping for the light fixture, keep in mind what features you want your light to have, whether motion detection, timed shut off, ect.

Step 2 - Safety First

Any time you are working with the electrical system in your home, you need to shut the power off to that particular section at the breaker panel. Once you are assured that the power is off, you can begin. If you are installing the light in a position that requires you to use a ladder to access it, it is best if you have another person to help you stabilize the ladder.

Step 3 - Connect the Wiring

If you are removing an existing light, it is straightforward. Unscrew any mounting or anchoring bolts, lift the fixture away from the wall, and disconnect the wiring. You will install the floodlight in the reverse order. Connect the wiring by matching the like colored wires between the light fixture and the wiring coming out of the outlet box. White wires go with white, and black goes with the black. Use wire nuts to cover the ends and ensure a secure connection between the wires. You may also have a bare wire coming out of the wiring supply. This is wired to the ground (bare) wire on the fixture. Not all systems have ground wires. If you do not, there should be a small screw (or the place for one) secured to the box. Loosen this screw enough to wrap the ground wire around it and tighten it down.

Step 4 - Mount the Fixture

Mount the fixture to the wall of the exterior of the home using the screws provided. There should be an existing place for these screws on the electrical box.

Step 5 - Test the Light

Turn the power back on and test the function of the light. Make sure that all features (sensors and other things) are working. You may have to adjust different features on the light.