How to Install Outdoor Porch Lights

Outdoor porch lights are used as a safety precaution as well as adding an attractive appeal to your home at night. Installing outdoor porch lights is not as difficult as a job as it may seem. With the proper instruction and preparation, you can install your porch lights on your own by following the steps below.

Step 1 - Disable Power

Before doing any job that involves electricity, it is always priority to shut off power to the area you will be working in. Be sure to let your household know that you will be doing work in that area and not to restore the power.

Step 2 - Determine Area for Light

Determine the area you want to place your outdoor light. If you have a high ceiling, use a ladder to access the area.

Step 3 - Test Junction Box and Replace

Located on your porch is a junction box for your light. Use the circuit tester to see if there is any power in the existing junction box. Check all wires inside the box for power. Unscrew the fixture that holds the junction box in place and disconnect all wiring from the junction box. When this is done, secure your new junction box to the area you will install your new porch light with 3/4-inch screws.

Step 4 - Measure Distance

You will now need to measure the distance between the spot of the old junction box to the new junction box area with your tape measure. With these dimensions, add an additional 8-inches and cut your outdoor electrical cable to this length. You will use this to connect the old junction box and the new junction box. 

Step 6 - Prepare Cable 

With the wire strippers, strip the wires inside the outdoor cable to expose approximately 5/8-inch of copper wiring on both ends. When you have stripped all wires, push the cable through the collar of the existing junction box. Connect the wires by first attaching the ground wire with the barrel crimp. Connect the remaining wires by connecting all corresponding colors together. Use the wire to secure the wires.

Step 7 - Secure Cable to Ceiling

Once you have connected all wires to the existing junction box, secure the cable to the ceiling of your porch to run to the new junction box. Place a wire collar onto the new junction box and run the cable through the collar and install your mounting bracket. Attach the wires to the new junction box in the same fashion as the existing junction box and screw on the base.

Step 8 - Final Preparation

Once you have all wiring done and all hardware in, you are now ready to install the light bulb and test the fixture. Restore power to the area and switch on the light. If your wiring is correct, your light will come on. If it does not, retrace your steps in the wiring.