What are the basic steps involved in replacing light fixtures in a home?

Question

I have some light fixtures I want to replace. Two are flat, metal panels with round bulbs sticking out. The panels are mounted directly to the wall and there does not appear to be any visible screws on the face of them. They are in the bathrooms.

The other one hangs over head in the dining room. It's a tacky faux chandelier thing but instead of crystals or glass, it has these small fake candle lights. The bulbs look like flame. I want it gone.

Help!

Answer 1

Step One: Start by turning off the power to the fixture's circuit at the service panel.

Step Two: When you remove the fixture base on a wall or ceiling-mounted fixture, or the cover plate on a strip fluorescent fixture, test the wiring to verify that the power is indeed off. Probe each set of insulated wires with one lead of a neon tester and the metal box or grounding wire with the other. If the tester lights, the power is still on.

Step Three: Remove the screws or cap nuts that secure a globe or glass light shade.

Step Four: Remove the screws or cap nuts that secure the fixture, fixture body or canopy to the outlet box. Support the full weight of a heavy fixture during this step and the next. Get help for a heavy one, especially if you are working overhead from a ladder.

Step Five: With the wiring in the outlet box now accessible, repeat the power test described in step 2. When you've confirmed that there's no power in the outlet box, remove the wire connectors that join the fixture wires to the house. If the fixture body is grounded, remove the screw or nut that secures the grounding (green) wire.

Step Six: You must secure fixtures that weigh over 50 lbs. (23 kg) independently of the electrical box. If you have access from above, install wood bridging between the joists above the box. Then screw the box into the bridging from below. If you don't have access to install a support from above, purchase retrofit mounting hardware for a ceiling fan and install it according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Step Seven: Compare new mounting-hole requirements with the existing provisions at the outlet box. If necessary, purchase a new mounting strap or a universal mounting plate, which will accommodate virtually any fixture.

Step Eight: Connect the new fixture to the same wires that connected the old fixture, and mount the fixture to the box with screws or cap nuts as required. Create a loop in the wires with long-nose pliers, then wrap them clockwise under a terminal screw. Or use electrician's pliers to twist the wires from a prewired fixture together with the house wires, then secure them with wire nuts. Cut off excess with wire cutters.

Answer 2

Okay, lets start with killing the power to whatever fixture you're working on. Find the right circuit breaker or fuse and turn it off or remove it. Most wall mt fixtures have 2 frame parts. the 1st screws to the wall. The 2nd covers the first. There are usually a couple of small round nuts that hold the 2nd panel on. once those are removed, the 2nd panel should come off. this should expose the wiring. The wiring of the new fixture should match the old.
The chandelier actually probably attaches similarly. But instead of screwing to the wall, it attaches to a junction box. It will probably have the same small nuts or something that does the same thing.

Answer 3

Which is it, a home or an apartment? Anything that is "attached" to the property or home is part of the property. Of course, what exactly is "attached" is subject to debate, but there is no question that light fixtures are "attached" and go with the property unless excluded by contract. Any light fixture that was present when you formed the contract to sell the property is part of the deal. If you replace your $2000 light fixtures with $200 light fixtures, the buyers can sue you for the difference ($1800).

Answer 4

it sounds like you want to know how to remove the Hollywood lights from your bathroom, there are no visible screws because the bulbs are holding it in place, remove bulbs first and then unscrew the brass or what ever style you have cylinder/neck that the bulb was screwed into and you will see that the whole panel pulls or slides off. and for the more technical stuff, looks like you already have lots of advice.

Answer 5

if you are going to take out the chandelier and not put anything back in its easy as the ceiling fans

turn power off check for surges/ unscrew and disconnect the wires

cover the wires with the twist caps and push the wires in the ceiling cover it with dry wall paint and done

the lights in the bathrooms are the same as the fans also

just disconnect them and put your new ones on

Answer 6

Purchase the ones you want. The directions are either in the box, or on a piece of paper inside. Kill the power first!

Answer 7

go to Lamps Plus or there website, they have ALA (American Lighting Association) trained people that work in the showroom, and ones you can call or talk to on-line.

I use to work there and I am ALA trained, there job is to fix lighting problems.

They also have lighting workshops that you can find online as well.

try it out.