Changing a light fixture which is beginning to look a little dated can be a quick and simple way to give a room a new look. But whilst changing a light fixing is fairly simple, it is a job which requires care and precision. Whenever you’re dealing with exposed electrics there is an element of risk involved, so it’s important to get it right. Here are a few tips to guide you throughout the process.
Before You Get Started
Check Your Home’s Wiring – Dependent on when your house was built and how the electricity was set up, it may only be compatible with certain fixtures. A good rule of thumb is that if your home was built before 1985, it may not be able to withstand more than 90 degrees. The fixtures should advise on the packet how much heat they generate, so it’ll be easy to choose your fixture accordingly.
Be Prepared – Get all the equipment you need ready ahead of time. You will definitely need your new lighting fixture, and, dependent on you fixture and your property, you may also need an electric drill, a screwdriver, wire nuts and electrical tape. It is also recommended that you purchase extra mounting brackets, just in case you have any problems with the once which came with the fixture.
Switch Off Electricity Supply – This is crucial, for obvious safety reasons. Switch off the electricity at your home’s circuit breaker. If there are other people in the house, let them know what you are doing and why.
Removing The Old Fixture
How you remove the old fixture will depend on what type it is.
Light Shade – Firstly, get rid of the old light shade. This should be fairly straightforward and you should know what to do here, as you’ve probably changed your light bulb
before. Follow the same method you usually would.
Fixture Base – Next you must remove the base on which the light is attached. Most are held by screws or bolts, so you’ll need to use your screwdriver to loosen them.
Wiring – Disconnecting all the old wiring is extremely important. It may be easier to use a wire cutter or wire stripper for this. Remove any old electric tape and ensure that all wires are untwisted and disconnected.
Mounting Bracket – if there is an old wiring bracket, remove this too.
Fitting The New One
Unpack New Fixture – carefully remove your new light fixture from its packaging, set aside the shade and the fittings and bolts.
Reconnect Wires – reconnect the wires, each with their co-ordinating colour – black to black, etc. Any bare copper wires should be twisted together and connected using a plastic cap connector.
Attach New Fixture – you’ll need to check that the new mounting bracket works with the layout of your ceiling. If there are no screw holes available to fasten the new bracket, you may have to use the old one or one of the back-ups you purchased. Carefully screw the new fixture base in place.
Light – Add the new lampshade in, turn the main electrics back on and step back and admire your handiwork!
This guest post was written by Emma Williams for Armafix. Armafix supply a range of fixtures and fittings to help with DIY jobs, so be sure to stock up with them before you get started.
