It’s always a good idea to double-check the flow of electricity by checking the light itself before moving forward with this project. Flick the light on, and if the circuit has been disabled, the light should stay off.
If you are using a ladder to reach your light fixture, or are in a less than ideal position, be sure the ground is also clear of debris or anything else that might affect your balance or safety.
Be sure you support the old fixture with your hand as you unscrew it from the mount. If you do not support the fixture, it could fall to the floor once you loosen the screws holding it in.
Hot wires are those that run electricity to your fixtures and grounding wires are intended to offer surge electricity a neutral point, like the earth, into which it can dissipate. In some cases, a grounding wire might be attached to the mounting bracket itself, rather than a house wire. This is fairly common in new light fixtures.
Once you have released the light from its wiring, you can set the existing light fixture aside.
Once you know the kind of bracket you need, you can find and purchase it at your local hardware store. Replacing the old bracket is just a matter of unscrewing it and screwing the new one into place.
Fixtures unsafe to use for older wiring will have a warning label that says, “Use wire rated for at least 90 degrees C. ” Fixtures without this warning will still be suitable for your pre-1985 wiring. [4] X Research source
CA:Live - black (single phase), red (with a second hot wire)Neutral - whiteEarth/ground - green, green and yellow, or bare copper UK:Live - brown, black, or redNeutral - blueEarth/ground - green and yellow USA:Live - black (single phase), red (with second hot wire)Neutral - whiteEarth/ground - green, green and yellow, or bare copper[6] X Research source
Be sure your ground wire feeds to a place it can safely disperse an electrical current. Many metal surfaces can be suitable for this purpose.
A circuit tester can be purchased at most hardware stores. Turn off the electricity, free the wire you are uncertain about from the old fixture, and then turn the electricity back on, being sure that your free wire is not touching anything dangerous. Your circuit tester will have two nodes; connect one to the questionable wire and the other to a grounded, metal surface or your ground wire. If the light on your tester turns on, the wire is hot and is supplied with electricity. [10] X Research source
Be sure to leave some excess. Wire can become damaged or get brittle over time, in which case, you might want to strip some insulation off the wire to tie a new fixture in to your circuit.
It is recommended that you remove about ½" of wire insulation with a wire stripper or a utility knife. Be sure you exercise care when using a utility knife; you don’t want to nick or damage the metal part of your wire. [12] X Research source
An assistant is especially helpful when you are wiring a ceiling light. While you are on a ladder or chair, your helper can hold you steady, hand you tools and parts, and take unneeded parts from you as you finish.
