How to Hang a Light From the Ceiling

Hanging a light from the ceiling is a straightforward process involving several steps. Follow these directions to install your ceiling fixture properly and safely.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ceiling light
• Screwdriver
• Circuit tester
• Plies with rubber-coated handles
• Wire snipper with rubber-coated handles
• Pencil
• Drill
• Ladder

1. Turn off the power to the circuit. This step is important! You will find the power switch in the circuit breaker box.
   
   

2. Take off the old light fixture. Remove the screws in the fixture. Test the exposed wires with a circuit tester to ensure you have shut off the power.

3. Disconnect the old lighting's wires from the wires extending from the ceiling. Untwist the wires and take down the mounting bracket from the old fixture.
   
   

4. Find the neutral wire on the new lighting mounting bracket. It should be covered in white insulation. Using wire snippers, remove about 1/2 inch of the white insulation. Remove only the insulation, not the underlying wire.
   
   

5. Find the hot wire on the new lighting mounting bracket. It should be covered in black insulation. Remove 1/2 inch of its insulation. Remove only the insulation, not the underlying wire.
   
   

6. Find the ground wire on the new lighting mounting bracket. Remove 1/2 inch of its green insulation.
   
   

7. Twist each newly exposed green wire to the corresponding ceiling wire. Do the same with the white and black wire pairs.
   

8. After twisting the wires together, twist a wire connector clockwise onto each pair.
   
   

9. Push all of the wires into the ceiling.
   
   

10. Attach the mounting bracket over the hole in the ceiling using the mounting screws.
    
    

11. Put the fixture over the mounting bracket.
    
    

12. Using a pencil, mark the position where you will screw the anchors into the ceiling.
    
    

13. Take down the mounting bracket and drill holes into the pencil marks.
    
    

14. Replace the mounting bracket and screw the anchors into the holes you just drilled.
    
    

15. Once the lights are on, restore power to the light fixture. When you see that the lights are working, put the cover on the mounting bracket.

Tips & Warnings

• In Step 12, use drywall anchors for drywall ceilings.
• Before starting installation, make sure the fixture's box contains all of the parts that are supposed to accompany the fixture. If you are missing any pieces, exchange the fixture for another one.
• It is helpful to have someone else turn on the power in Step 15 so that he or she can turn it off again if the fixture does not properly work.