How do I Install Pendant Lighting From a Large Fluorescent Lighting Fixture?

Replace a large florescent light with an updated pendant light.

Pendant lighting is a common way to modernize your kitchen and provide light to a specific area in the room. As pendant lighting becomes more popular, many homeowners are choosing to replace outdated florescent lighting with pendant lights. Although florescent lights are much bigger than pendant lights, the switch is very easy to make if you have the proper tools and information.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Drywall mud
• Putty knife
• Paint
• Wire strippers
• Pendant light
• Wire nuts
• Light bulb

Instructions

1. Turn off the switch to the florescent light. Locate the power breaker for your home and flip the appropriate breaker so the power is completely off for the florescent light.

2. Pop the plastic light cover from the front of the florescent light. Unscrew the florescent light fixture from the ceiling. With your hands, unscrew the wire nuts from off the black, white, and ground wires.

3. Patch any holes left in the ceiling drywall with drywall mud and a putty knife. Allow the drywall mud to dry completely, and then lightly sand the mudded area with fine grit sandpaper. Paint over the patched ceiling.

4. Remove approximately one-half inch of the plastic coating from the end of each of the wires on the new pendant light with wire strippers. This will expose the copper wire underneath.

5. Screw the metal bracket that is included with your pendant light, to the ceiling junction box. This bracket allows you to easily mount the pendant light.

6. Match the white, black and ground wires in both the pendant light and the junction box. Twist the copper part of the wires together on each of the wires. Screw a wire nut over the top of each set of wires. The wire nut should cover the copper part of the wires completely.

7. Mount the pendant light to the metal mounting bracket with the screws included with the pendant light. Place a light bulb in the pendant light and turn on the power.

References

• This Old House: How to Install a Pendant Light
• Hammerzone: Installing an Incandescent Ceiling Light Fixture