How to Install Bath Light Fixtures
Installing a bathtub light fixture in the ceiling above the bathtub will increase the amount of light in the tub area when you take a bath or shower. A shower curtain can block out a lot of the light from the bathroom area, so installing a bathtub light fixture is likely required for your bathroom to meet minimum lighting codes. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Stud finder
- Keyhole saw
- Screwdriver
- Wire
- Wire strippers
- Mounting box
- Wire nuts
- Electrical tape
Instructions
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1
Locate a joist in the ceiling, using an electric stud finder. Cut a square in the drywall tile with a keyhole saw large enough to mount the electrical mounting box. Position the hole next to the joist in the ceiling.
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2
Turn off the breaker box for the bathroom.
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3
Remove the cover panel from the light switch with a screwdriver, and then remove the light switch from the mounting box. Feed a wire from the light switch up through the wall and to the hole you cut in the ceiling.
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4
Strip 2 inches of coating from the electrical cable, using wire strippers, and then strip ½ inch of the insulation from each wire. Connect the green wire to the grounding lug on the switch, and then connect the white and black wires to the electrical lugs on the switch.
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5
Mount the light switch back in the box, and then secure the cover over the light switch with the screwdriver.
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6
Feed the wires though the mounting box for the light, and then secure the box to the side of the joist with nails or screws. Position the box so the bottom edge is flush with the drywall.
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7
Strip 2 inches of coating from the electrical cable, and then strip ½ inch of the insulation from each wire. Connect the green wire to the grounding lug on the light fixture. Next, connect the white wire to the white wire on the fixture and connect the black wire to the black wire on the fixture. Use wire nuts to connect each wire, and then tape the wire nuts to the wires with electrical tape to ensure the wire nut will not come off.
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8
Tuck the wires into the mounting box and secure the light fixture to the box, using a screwdriver and the screws supplied with the light.
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9
Attach a light bulb to the fixture and then place the cover on the fixture.
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10
Turn on the breaker and then test the light.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure the light fixture you are installing is rated for wet locations.
