How to Replace a Recessed Light

Recessed lights provide lighting that doesn't interfere with the aesthetics of a room. They can be a great addition in the kitchen, bath, living room or basement. Recessed lights can free up your ceiling space and reduce the number of lamps needed in a room, helping the room appear more open and less cluttered. But, once you have recessed lights installed, how do you replace one when it stops working?

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Screwdrivers Needle-nose pliers or multipurpose tool Voltage tester Wire strippers Hammer New recessed light kit Measuring tape Electrical tape Wire connectors

Removing the Existing Recessed Light

1. Turn the power off to the recessed lights, and remove the light bulb once it cools down. You should turn the circuit breaker off rather than just toggling the switch off. Later, you will be in the attic removing the recessed light, and you don't want someone to accidentally turn the switch back on while you are working on the line.

2. Remove the decorative trim from the recessed light fixture. In most cases, this trim is held in place by springs. The best way to get to the springs is to use needle-nose pliers or a multipurpose tool to unhinge them.

3. Measure the recessed light can. It can be anywhere from 4 to 8 inches wide. You will need to know this when you purchase your new recessed light kit.

4. Venture into your attic or the space above the recessed light, and find the one you are planning on replacing. If your recessed light is installed above a drop-down ceiling, you can access it simply by removing the ceiling tiles.

5. Open the junction box on the side of the light kit. Carefully pull out the wires, and test them for voltage to make sure the circuit is off.

6. Disconnect and separate each of the wire pairs. Find the two insulated and the one ground wire that come into the junction box. Notice the connector that is securing the cable to the junction box.

7. Remove the lock nut that is holding the connector in place, and pull the wires out of the junction box.

8. Remove the nails or screws that are securing the recessed light to the joists. These are found at the end of the "arms" that stretch out from joist to joist. Once the light is free, remove it.

Installing the New Recessed Light

9. Sit the new recessed light in the same ceiling hole as the last one. Make sure that the lip of the fixture does not stick out past the ceiling. You want it to be as flush as possible.

10. Secure the fixture arms to the joists using nails or screws.

11. Open up the junction box on the side of the fixture, and remove one of the knockouts.

12. Check the wires on the cable you removed from the last fixture to make sure they are still in good condition. If they need to be cut and restripped, do so now.

13. Insert the wires through the knockout hole, and secure the connector in place using the lock,nut you removed from it earlier.

14. Connect the ground wire to the ground wire of the fixture (or the green ground screw if no fixture ground wire is present). Connect the white wire to the white fixture wire. Last, connect the black wire to the black fixture wire. Make sure each pair is tightly contained with a wire connector, and wrap each set with a length of electrical tape.

15. Gently push all of the wires back into the junction box, and replace the cover.

16. Exit the attic, and install the decorative trim on the new recessed light; install a new light bulb, and turn the circuit back on.

Tips & Warnings

• If your ceiling was painted after your recessed lights were originally installed, before removing the decorative trim, take a knife and score all the way around the outer edge of the rim to break the paint seal.
• Always turn off an electrical circuit before attempting to work on it. When in the attic, always wear a face mask, eye protection and the proper clothing to limit exposure to fiberglass particles.

Resources

• Recessed Lighting Placement and Ideas