How to Wire a Ceiling Light

Co-authored by Daniel Stoescu

Last Updated: October 17, 2022

Dress up a room or give it a whole new appearance by learning how to change a ceiling fixture on your own. Ceiling fixtures can vary from chandeliers for a formal dining room, a new light and fan combination for a family room, or a new look in a recently remodeled room. You can save money by installing a ceiling fixture on your own with a few tools and a helper. Even if you have never attempted a home-installation project, you can learn how to wire a ceiling light by following the instructions below.

Steps

1
Turn off the power to the existing light. Find the main breaker box, and turn off either the individual breaker for the room or the main power breaker.^{[1]
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- Always test the power by flipping the light switch a few times before proceeding.
2
Remove the old ceiling light. Use a Phillips screwdriver to unscrew the mounting screws, and bring down the light fixture. It is helpful to have someone to hold the fixture as you uncap the wires and remove any electrical tape. Untwist the fixture wires from the house wiring.^{[2]
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3
Inspect the wiring in the outlet box. Houses built before 1985 may have wiring for fixtures rated at 90 degrees and less. Most of the more-recent fixtures require wires that can withstand hotter temperatures.^{[3]
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- Look for wires marked NM-B, UF-B, THHN, or THWN-2. These wires are approved for the higher-temperature fixtures.
4
Inspect the outlet box to ensure that it is securely fastened. Make sure that it is rated for the weight of your light fixture.
- According to the National Electric Code (NEC), a fixture that weighs 50 pounds or more will have to have its own independent electrical box.
5
Pre-assemble as much of the ceiling fixture on the ground as possible. This will save time and arm strain later.^{[4]
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- Adjust the length of the rod by aligning the canopy with the crossbar and allowing a little screw thread to extend through the canopy.
- Lock the length in place with a lock nut.
- Thread the screws into holes on each side of the crossbar. If you're using a rod, thread it into the center hole of the crossbar.
6
Move all wires to 1 side of the electrical box.
7
Mount the crossbar to the electrical box.
8
Connect the wires as they were in the old fixture. The ground wire is the bare copper wire and should be connected to the green grounding screw in the crossbar. Wire black to black (hot) and white to white (neutral), and make sure that all connections are snug.^{[5]
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- Have a helper hold the rest of the fixture while you connect the wires.
9
Tuck the wires into the electrical box.^{[6]
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10
Align the canopy with the mounting screws and tighten. Most light fixtures will have a keyhole-shaped hole. Align the head of the screw into the wider part of the hole, and twist the fixture to the narrower part. Tighten the mounting screws.
- If you're using a center-mounted ceiling light, slide the canopy onto the rod so the nipple shows through the center hole. Screw on, and tighten the mounting nut.
- If needed, adjust the rod so that the canopy sits flush against the ceiling.
11
Insert lightbulbs of the correct wattage.
12
Hold the globe of the light into position, and tighten the setscrews on the side of the canopy.
13
Turn the power back on.
14
Finished.

Community Q&A

Question

All wires are the same color. How do I know hot from cold?

Community Answer

Get a voltage meter. The best ones are either commercial or government, but one from Home Depot will work too!
Question

Do some receptacles have a ground wire to which to connect the new ground wire (so no need to connect copper to a ground screw)?

Community Answer

Interior ceiling lights usually have no ground wire connection, unless there is a receptacle in addition to the socket. Remember that the "hot" (black or red) wire goes to the brass colored screw, "neutral" (white) to the silver screw. If there is a bare ground wire in the fixture, often found in ceiling fans and exterior fixtures, twist it together with the ground wire from the cable, and put a wire nut on it.
Question

Can I replace a four core cable with three core chandelier?

Community Answer

Yes. However, it will be less effective and will run out a lot quicker than a four core cable.

Warnings

Do not connect a post-1985 fixture to pre-1985 wiring. The heat from the fixture may melt the insulation around the wires and become a fire hazard.

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In case of any questions or doubts contact a licensed electrician.

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