How to Install an Outdoor Hanging Light

Hanging outdoor lights and lanterns can add charming accents to your outdoor lighting scheme. You can easily install these yourself with the below tips.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Long-nose pliers
• Threaded nipple
• Collar nut
• Multipurpose tool
• Two pliers (to twist chain apart)
• Escutcheon plate
• Mounting strap
• Hickey nut
• Insulated screwdrivers
• Wire connectors
• Utility knife
• Circuit tester

1. Choose a light that’s safety-rated for the outdoors.
2. Turn off power to the outdoor circuit at the main switch. Test for power using a neon circuit tester.
3. Remove the existing ceiling fixture.
4. Examine the outlet box to see if it will support the weight of a hanging light. If the light is not very heavy--less than twenty five or so pounds--a plastic box will be fine. If the light is heavier, you’ll need to install a new metal power box first.
5. Check to see if the box has a center threaded stud. If it doesn't, you’ll need to install one using a mounting strap and threaded nipple.
6. Thread a locking nut onto the threaded nipple and screw it tightly to the mounting strap or hickey.
7. Wire the light fixture according to the manufacturers instructions. Usually, this means splicing the black (live) wire on the power box to the black wire on the fixture, the white (neutral) wire on the power box to the white wire on the fixture and the green (ground) wire to the green wire on the box.
8. Cap the black and white wires with wire nuts. Attach the green wire to the grounding screw or metal mounting strap.
9. Tuck the wiring into the electrical box.
10. Slide the escutcheon plate up along the hanging wire and screw it into place against the ceiling.

Tips & Warnings

• A second person can help support the weight of the hanging light while you work, or you can use a heavy cord or coat hanger to support it while you’re wiring.
• Always be sure that power is off to any circuits with which you are working. Use a neon tester to be positive that you’re safe from electrocution.
• Use only weatherproof, approved outdoor lighting for outdoor situations.

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