if i have a ceiling mounted light/chandelier and buy a different one would an electrician need to install?

Question

can i do it myself? what do i need to do?

Answer 1

It is a simple job to replace a light and it is simple to find out if you have the right breaker turned off. Just cut the light on and have someone yell at you when you turn the right one off. If the light that was on is off, the juice is off.
If what you are put up weighes more than the light you are takeing down, make sure the box is secure before installing any chandalier. It isn't as dangerious as a fan falling but but what fun is it to do something and it hit the floor in a few days????
The directions that come with it are straight forward so follow them.
According to the wiring you have, there may not be a ground in the box. If not, cut the ground in the light fixture off as close as you can. It really isn't needed for a light anyway, unless you are going to climb an aluminum ladder setting in a large puddle of water to change a light buld with wet hands.
The wirenuts you get with the lights are more than likely going to be too small. They will be little crean colored nuts and are the wrong size if you have 14 or 12 wire feeding the light which you more than likely do.
Get two yellow nuts when you buy the light.
Strip the wire from the light about an inch. It will come stripped about half of that but go for an inch.
Take your fingers and twist the wire real good the same way it is already and then fold the stripped part of it in half and twist it some more.
Then hold the two together and screw the wire nut on it and make sure it gets tight. When you think it is tight try pulling it apart just to make sure it won't come loose later.
Repeat with the other wire and put it back up.
If it is a heavy light, have someone on the other side of the ladder hold it up while doing this and it is a good idea even if it isn't heavy to make sure you get a good connection. We only have two hands and I do it by myself as most electricians do, but a 3rd hand helps a lot.
Good luck and God Bless
Dennis

Answer 2

If you are handy at all, this is not too hard. The problem is that it's kinda tiring to work on something like this overhead.
You have to pay attention to how it's anchored and be sure you do a good job with that or it will fall down!
The wiring is really a small part of the job. You will find two wires in your old fixture, usually color coded black and white, then follow the directions with your new light to hook them back up. While they will work either way, it's best to get it right...so the hot wire is feeding the center of the light sockets, not the screw in base part. You need some tools to strip the wire, some wire nuts (usually included with the light) and some common sense! Turn off the breaker for the light, don't depend on the switch. If someone wired it wrong before you, it could hurt!
If you are not familiar with wire nut connections...I'd say don't do it.

Answer 3

all really good answers but here's another tip, when you put the cap on the wires that are twisted together, pull on them (like everyone has said) once you know they are secure, wrap them with black electrician's tape, around the cap and about an inch down the wire. if you ever want to change the fixture again and it slips, or the box isn't quite stong enough, the tape will hold it just long enough for you to catch it before it falls to the ground. i've has this happen (the box was not as secure as it looked). also, don't be worried about changing the fixture by yourself, leave yourself lots of time because there are always little problems. if you mess it up, then call an electrician. once you do the first one, you'll want to change all the ceiling fixtures!

Answer 4

Depends on your level of comfort in dealing with electricity. If you can figure out which breaker provides power to that light fixture, it's as easy as disconnecting the wires from the old one and reconnecting the new. You should be able to do the whole thing with a single screw driver.

However, if you're unsure what a breaker even is, you might want to reconsider. Always be cautious with electricity. If you aren't sure, ask for help.

Answer 5

I work for a lighting company, and do lighting technical support. It is recommended that you hire an electrician, but if you decide to do it yourself, make sure your power is turned off, and that you make good connections. When you put the wire nut on, tug on them and make sure they don't come loose. It should be very simple to do, it's just three wires, a green (ground) , black (hot) , and white (neutral). Oh yeah, if you only turn off power at the switch, put some tape over it, so nobody accidentally turns it on while your working on it. Always have respect for electricity.
Good luck

Answer 6

You can do this yourself with ease. First , make sure the power switch is off, and should have a battery powered lite source that allows ample lite on the work area. Then remove the lite globe and bulbs. Then remove the screws holding the fixture to the ceiling. Un-screw the wire nuts from the wires and make sure to connect the new fixtures wires to the same color of wires. etc: copper to copper-white to white and black to black,

Answer 7

There actually should be directions in the box with your new light. If you don't feel confident in doing it yourself, call someone you know to help you, someone who's probably done it before. A dad or friend or something. It's generally pretty easy to do, but as I said, if you don't feel confident, don't do it! You'll need to turn it off (the electricity to the light), and mess with wires. You can also ask who you buy it from if it's a do it yourself job or not. Most generally, they will be able to help you!! Good Luck

Answer 8

Do to your third question, I say get someone.