How to Replace a Wall-Mounted Light

Wall-mounted lights can be used to highlight artwork, provide reading lamps in the bedroom or illuminate your bathroom mirror. Here's how to replace an old wall-mounted light with a new one.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• New wall-mounted fixture

1. Turn off power to the fixture at the circuit breaker. Verify that the power is off with a circuit tester.

2. Remove the shade and bulb, and then remove the existing fixture.

3. In most cases, you will be able to connect the wall-mounted fixture with a strap and nipple. The strap can be connected with screws. The wiring will need to be connected (be sure to connect white wire to white wire, black to black and grounding wire to grounding wire). The nipple will be inserted into the strap, and the lighting fixture will be attached and secured with the knurled cap.

4. If the box has a central stud, once the wiring is connected you will only need an adapter attached to the central stud. Then you will attach the nipple to the adapter and connect the fixture with the knurled cap.

5. Restore power to the fixture.

Tips & Warnings

• Always be sure that the power is turned off at the circuit breaker before installing a light fixture.
• Read the instructions that came with the new light fixture for any manufacturer-specific instructions.
• If you are unfamiliar with electrical installations or the wiring in the box appears to be brittle or frayed, call an electrician to install the necessary wiring.