Guide to Installing Light Fixtures

Do you want to give your room a makeover? One of the simplest and most affordable ways to give any room, such as the bedroom, in your house a new and improved look is by installing light fixtures. It is no secret that lighting affects not just how well you can see your way around your living room but also how the room appears.

However, note that different kinds of lighting and light fixtures, such as LED lights, offer a different “feel” and ambiance to the space on which they shed light. Lighting projects, such as chandelier installation or led installation, are an excellent way to upgrade your home’s look, increasing its value at the same time. For example, some of the simplest home improvements include installing track lighting or updating the flush-mount ceiling light fixtures in your home.

Similarly, installing a chandelier is another excellent way to improve the appearance as well as the lighting of your living room, dining room, or even your entrance. Apart from improving illumination in your home, chandeliers will also help add a distinct architectural style or aesthetic touch to the home. This is why chandelier installation is usually a good idea.

Changing a light fixture or replacing old lighting fixtures with a new one, or installing overhead lighting can immediately transform a room. Did you know that many modern light fixtures, such as LED lights, are energy efficient? They make your home improvement project easy on the wallet.

Why Hire an Electrician

Although some complicated lighting projects often require you to hire a professional electrician, wiring a light fixture or replacing old ceiling lights are projects many people can handle on their own – with the right instructions. Keep in mind that working with electricity can be a bit scary, so make sure that you follow all relevant safety tips when changing a light fixture or installing light fixtures.

When wiring a light fixture or fitting or changing a light fixture, if you’re in any doubt, hire a Vancouver electrician as working with electricity is dangerous.

Types of Light Fixtures and their Installation Requirements

There are many types of lighting fixtures with their unique installation requirements. For example, you can mount surface-mounted lighting fixtures directly to a housing box, either suspended from your ceiling box by a chain or cord or flush with your ceiling or wall. It is worth noting that most new light fixtures usually come with their own mounting hardware, adapting easily to any regular fixture box.

Also, note that light fixtures and fittings come in different sizes and weights, and these features often determine the mounting method. For example, you can usually screw lightweight and small ceiling fixtures directly into the mounting ears of your fixture box.

On the other hand, you may have to fasten heavier lighting fixtures to the box using a hickey, mounting bar, or stud. And fixtures weighing over fifty pounds will have to be secured firmly to a beam or joist and the mounting box.

Calculating Electrical Load

You have to make sure that your new light fixtures, such as chandeliers, will not exceed your house circuit’s total electrical capacity. This is usually 15 amps. While this generally is not an issue with a small low-voltage system, note that incandescent lights can overload your circuit. This is why hiring a Vancouver electrician makes sense.

Before installing track lighting or LED lights, it is essential to check the circuit for its amperage rating. You have to add up all lights and appliances that draw power from the circuit to know the overall requirements. This will ensure that your LED installation project is completed successfully.

Does this sound confusing and complicated? If yes, make sure that you get help and guidance from a local lighting retailer or hire a qualified Vancouver electrician. If you would like to increase lighting control, you can also get a quality dimmer switch, such as a Lutron dimmer switch. A Lutron dimmer switch is a simple way to upgrade a light switch in your home as well as control the brightness level of CFL, LED, incandescent, and halogen bulbs. A Lutron dimmer switch can blend into your room and is also available in various switch and plate colors.

How to Safely Install a Light Fixture

Shut off Power

Keep in mind that for many light fixtures, you can just shut off the power at the switch. However, it is better and safer to always shut the power off at your breaker. In most cases, the breakers on an electrical panel are labeled.

Remove Metal Plate

To change your ceiling light fixture, you have to loosen all the nuts that hold the metal plate and cover the junction box. After that, pull down all the wires from your junction box, and then gently turn the wire nuts on the wires in a counterclockwise direction until they unscrew completely from the wires.

Connect Wires

Note that a standard box for most light fixtures has three wires, black (current), white (neutral), and copper (ground). Many permanent fixtures have a plate that’s connected to the 2 screw holes on each side of the box.

You should know that wires might be connected to the light fixture in different ways. For example, sometimes, the wires are carefully wrapped around the screws in order to make a connection. You may also find wires (of corresponding colors) in the light fixture that are connected to your ceiling wires with several wire nuts.

In both cases, you can use a wire stripper to easily remove about ¾ inch of wire sheathing. In order to attach to screw connections, you should carefully bend the electric wire into a U-shape and then wrap it around the screw.

After that, you can crimp the wire closed and gently tighten the screw. To safely attach wires to wires, all you have to do is twist all like-colored wires together and twist one wire nut over them.

Attach Light Fixture to the Box

If you are installing a simple pull-chain light fixture, you can attach it with 2 screws that directly go into the box. However, you can also have only one screw directly onto your mounting plate. Once you have mounted the fixture, install an LED light or bulb, and turn your breaker back on.

Grounding Metal Fixtures

Did you know that you have to ground all fluorescent and incandescent light fixtures with exposed metal parts? Remember that:

 Metal boxes that have the nipple or screws firmly holding the light fixture to the standard box will help ground the fixture.

 All boxes at or near the end of the circuit should have the cable’s grounding wire directly attached to the grounding clip or screw of the box.

 If multiple cables enter the box, you will have to make a firm grounding jumper.

Nonmetallic Fixture Boxes

On the other hand, nonmetallic boxes do not need grounding. However, you have to ground the light fixture. Follow these steps:

 Buy a box with a solid metal grounding bar.

 If your lighting fixture is located at the end of the circuit, you should attach the cable grounding wire firmly to the bar.

 And if the light fixture is in the center of the circuit, it is vital to make a grounding jumper in order to join your cable grounding wire firmly to the bar.

Removing an Old Ceiling Light

Follow these steps to remove an old ceiling light.

1. Turn off the power, and remove your old ceiling light. In most cases, you will need to remove the glass globe or cover by unscrewing some screws or a finial.

2. After that, detach it from your ceiling and disconnect all the old wires. Now take it down.

Disconnecting the Wires: Important Notes

• You will find two screws inside the fixture that secure the light to your ceiling plate or center post using a nut. It would help if you unscrewed them slowly and then lower your fixture a couple of inches.

• You will see a box inside the ceiling with several thick wires – usually, a black one and a white one. All you have to do is pull the wires out and then unscrew all the wire nuts. When you are done, untwist all the wires and free them.

• You will also see a third, bare wire. It’s the ground wire. You have to unwind it carefully.

• Now your old lighting fixture will be completely disconnected. It is time to set it aside.

• After that, remove the existing base plate.

• You will now have an open box and several wires hanging down.

Common Methods of Running Electric Wires

There are many options that you can choose from when home improvement plans call for new lighting. It is worth noting that track, surface-mounted, and recessed light fixtures come in various styles and prices in order to suit many different budgets and lighting needs. However, before you can make them work, it is essential to get the electric power to these lights, and this means running wire.

You will be pleased to know that there are several easy ways you can get power to your light fixture. Some of them are end-of-circuit and middle-of-circuit.

While all these ways to wire a light fixture are simple, depending on your specific preferences and needs as well as the kind of fixtures and fittings you are installing, you should choose the most suitable one.

End-of-Circuit

The common end-of-circuit wiring is definitely the most straightforward strategy when wiring fixtures. It is especially handy and suitable if you’re working on major electric projects where the convenience of open walls allows you to run wires unfettered.

If you would like to wire the end-of-circuit, you just have to run an electrical line straight from your switch box to the place you will install the new light fixture. Note that this one source of wiring will make it simple and hassle-free to install light fixtures in the future. After installing the first light, you may run another off the line in order to power the rest of your room.

Middle-of-Circuit

Compared to end-of-circuit wiring, middle-of-circuit electric wiring is a little more complex. This is because you have more wires to deal with. When wiring light fixtures middle-of-circuit, you have to make sure that all of the white wires are securely connected, and all of the black ones are also connected. Note that this also includes the wires for your light fixture.

How to Install a Chandelier

Chandeliers, such as rod chandeliers, are an ideal and elegant light fixture. They are perfect for rooms with high ceilings. This is because the rod allows the light fixture to hang correctly.

If you would like to install a rod hung chandelier in your room, you have to place the mounting strap carefully over your electrical box, making sure that it is fastened with screws.

Follow these steps for chandelier installation:

1. Assemble your chandelier on the floor with an appropriate-sized rod.

2. You should pass the electric wire through both the rod as well as your chandelier’s canopy. After that, screw it carefully on the threaded connector.

3. It is crucial to ensure that wires aren’t twisted and protrude easily from the hole you will find at the top of the chandelier’s canopy.

4. You have to cut the wires so that they all have the same length. After that, connect them in your electrical box to all the wires in your chandelier by simply matching the colors of these wires.

5. Now twist the ends of all the connected wires and then cover them with wire nuts.

6. You have to tuck the wires gently into your electrical box.

7. Now secure the canopy firmly to mounting brackets with star washers and cap nuts. Install new light bulbs on your chandelier, if needed.

8. Now you can turn on your circuit breaker; it will restore power to your fixture.

Changing a Light Fixture

You will likely have to replace a ceiling light fixture because an old fixture has worn out. However, you can also commonly do it as part of your décor overhaul. There is no doubt that a new light fixture, such as a wall scone, can make a considerable difference in the look as well as the feel of any room.

Also, a chandelier, wall sconce, pendant light, or track light can add ambiance and fresh character to your home.

You may know that, like plumbing, electrical repairs are usually quite simple if your system is fairly new and complies with accepted practices. However, they may become quite difficult and tricky if your wiring system is old or in poor condition. This is why whenever you take on wiring projects, it is best to call a Vancouver electrician to help you if things get complicated. The electrician will make chandelier installation a breeze.

Turn Off the Power

Before changing a light fixture, such as a pendant light, check the electrical circuit panel in order to locate your circuit breaker and switch off the circuit. Now place all the wall switches for your light fixtures or fittings in the off position. You should leave the power off, labeling the circuit breaker for convenience and future reference.

Remove Your Old Fixture

It is time to remove the cover of your old light fixture. After that, remove all the old wire connectors and then untwist the wires of your fixture. When you are done, remove the trim or base from your old fixture.

Tighten all the Screws

You should check your electrical box. If the electrical box is loose, make sure that you tighten the screws holding the box in place but do not overtighten. Also, ensure that the electrical box is attached securely to your building structure so that it can adequately support the weight of your new fixture.

Connect all the Wires

You have to follow all the manufacturer’s instructions to match the new light fixture's wires to the existing wires in your home. And use a wire stripper in order to remove the protective wire coating of your new fixture.

Now wrap the bare part of each wire carefully to the bare part of the corresponding existing wire. After that, screw on all the wire connectors and attach the grounding wire.

Secure the Canopy or Base

You should fold all the wires into your electrical box or the space in the canopy or base. The next step is to use the included electric hardware to securely attach your fixture's canopy or base to your electrical box.

Install the Bulbs

Install suitable light bulbs into your fixture, making sure that the wattage is correct. This is an ideal time to upgrade to a better and more efficient bulb like an LED bulb. Now turn on your circuit's electrical panel, and turn on your new light fixture's switch.

Final Thoughts

Installing light fixtures, such as track lighting, in your home requires careful planning as well as attention to detail. And there is no room for error when working with electrical wiring. This means you have to organize properly while learning the regulations and laws to make sure that your lighting project is both safe and up to code.

Your safety and the safety of your property should never be ignored or underestimated when addressing your electrical installation and repair needs. With a Vancouver electrician, you can rely on fully insured, reliable, and safe electrical solutions for your home at all times.