We are putting in a drop ceiling, and need to lower the light fixture - how do we safely do this?

Question

Any help that you can provide would be greatly appreciated, we don't want to go to the expense of hiring an electrician as it is in the basement, and not a "public" area of our home. Thanks to anyone who can answer!

Answer 1

Make sure the power is off to the light,(throw breaker at breaker box)
1.disconnect fixture
2. check height new fixture location is going to be
(if you don't have enough original wire to reach, (splice wire
inside a connection box with wire nuts, secure box, and cover)
3. cut large enough hole for wiring in ceiling where fixture
is desired (ensure enough support to hold fixture is at this
location)
4. install ceiling, threading wire through
5. reconnect and secure fixture
6. turn on power at breaker box

Answer 2

You may also want to have a few extra wires for holding the light fixture so you can take up some of the potential weight of the new light fixture, if indeed it is a lay-in. That is, one end of the wire (nine gage perhaps) connected to the grid near the light, and the other to the fastener you're using to hang the grid that are in the old ceiling.

Answer 3

If you are going to use a lay-in fixture in the ceiling, you will want to TURN OFF THE POWER and put an outlet where the junction box is. (where the current fixture is wired) On the lay-in fixture, you can wire that with a cord and plug. Just plug into the outlet.

Answer 4

Just because it's not in a "public" area doesn't mean you need to cut corners and not be safe,please if you are not sure about how to do the wiring get an electrician.