Installing Ceiling Light Fixtures

Ceiling light fixtures look much better than isolated bulbs and fluorescent lights. In addition to providing cost-effective lighting, they help make any room more sophisticated. Best of all, installing ceiling light fixtures is easier than it looks. As long as you have the right tools for the job and a good, sturdy ladder, it should not take a lot of effort. 

Step 1 – Safety First

First of all, switch off the circuit breaker that supplies power to your ceiling light fixture. Just switching off the light switch is not a good idea because there might be some electoral leakage at the switch. Do post a sign on the switchboard so that no one can switch on back on accidentally while you are working on the fixture. Also make sure that you have a sturdy ladder with a platform that you can use to access the ceiling light fixture. If the ceiling light fixture is heavy, consider getting a friend to help you. 

Step 2 - Install the Mounting Bracket

Use a tester to check the wires that emerge from your ceiling to verify that the electrical connection is in fact off. Use the wire stripper to expose a few inches of the electrical wires. Now it is time to fix the mounting bracket that came with your ceiling light fixture into place. Use the screws that came with the light fixture to mount the bracket on the ceiling. Ensure that all screws are securely tightened.

The ground wires from the ceiling and on the light fixture should both be connected to the ground screw on the mounting bracket. Connect the other wires using a wire nut and cover the exposed wires with insulation tape. You might need a friend to hold up the light fixture while you connect the wires, or you can use some extra wire to hang the fixture from the ceiling. 

Step 3 – Install the Fixture

Now carefully install the fixture on the mounting bracket, taking care not to pinch any of the electrical wires during the process. Tighten all the screws that hold the fixture in place. It is a good idea to hold the light fixtures up with one hand while you tighten the screws, or get a helper to hold it up. 

Step 4 – Attach the Bulbs

When selecting light bulbs for your ceiling light fixtures, make sure that you do not exceed the recommended rating, otherwise you could be setting yourself up for a possible electrical fire. Also remember to check the kind of light bulb that your fixture uses (threaded or pin type) and buy the appropriate kind of bulb. Attach the bulbs, turn on the circuit breaker and switch on the light switch to test that your ceiling light fixtures are working. 

Step 5 – Install the Cover

Now that you have verified that your ceiling light fixtures are working, install the decorative cover. Different covers have different mechanisms to hold the in place such as clips, screws, or threads. If your cover comes with screws, do ensure that you do not over tighten the screws to avoid cracking the cover.