How to Replace a Ceiling or Wall Fixture - Home - Home Repair

Replace a Ceiling or Wall Fixture

Tools: Screwdriver, long-nose pliers

When the ceiling fixture in a room doesn't work or you want to replace it with a new one, the most difficult part of the job is doing the repair while you're up on a ladder. This is a good two-person job so you're not making countless trips up and down. The wiring is easy; in most cases only a black wire and white wire are involved. Before you begin working on the fixture, turn off all electricity at the main electrical panel in your home. Remove any glass diffuser globe or shade, and then the bulb.

Replace fixture attached directly to electrical box.

Most porcelain single-bulb utility fixtures like those found in closet lights are attached to the electrical box with two screws that are screwed directly into the box ears. With a screwdriver, remove the screws and lower the fixture from the box. Untwist the wire nuts holding the black and white fixture wires and supply wires in the electrical box together. If the supply wires are attached to terminal screws, loosen the screws and remove the wires. Purchase a new fixture, checking at the hardware store or home center that the one you buy will fit the previous attaching hardware. If any adapters are needed, get them before you take the fixture home.

Install the new fixture by reversing the order that you removed the parts of the old one. Make sure you connect the black wire to the brass-colored terminal on the fixture and the white wire to the silver-colored terminal. If the fixture is prewired, connect the black and white and green wires to the same colored wires in the ceiling box.

Replace fixture connected to fixture strap

If you have a strap-mounted fixture, remove the two screws holding the cover or canopy to the fixture strap and carefully lower it away from the ceiling. Remove the plastic wire nuts or unwrap the electrical tape that holds the black and white fixture wires to the supply wires in the electrical box.You can leave the old fixture strap in place if it is the same size as the one supplied with your new fixture; otherwise replace the old strap with the new one. Follow the manufacturer's installation instructions to connect the fixture wires to the supply wires. Twist the black wires together with the pliers, then screw on the wire nut. Do the same to the white wires. Connect the green ground wires together; or if there is no green wire in the electrical box, connect the green fixture wire to the bare wire or to one of the screws holding the fixture to the electrical box.

Replace stud-mounted fixture

Most heavy fixtures and chandeliers are attached to a stud coming out of the center of the electrical ceiling box. Have a helper hold the fixture, or set it on your ladder to take its weight off the suspension chain. Then loosen the ring called the "collar" that holds the cover tight against the ceiling. Lower the fixture away from the ceiling and remove the wire nuts or electrical tape that holds the fixture and supply wires together. Straighten the ends of the fixture wires so they will pass down the nipple (threaded rod).The length of the old nipple can be adjusted an inch or so by screwing it into the hickey (the U-shaped bracket the nipple is threaded into), but allow room for the wires. You can purchase longer or shorter nipples at the hardware store or home center. Install the new fixture according to the manufacturer's directions. Connect the black and white wires together and twist them tight with a long-nose pliers. Then install the wire nuts. Attach the green gr ound wires together in the same way. If there is no green wire in the box, attach the green fixture wire to the bare wire or to a screw inside the electrical box.Screw the canopy back in place; install new light bulbs; and turn on the electricity in the room again.