Time to Replace

Installing new fixtures is a doable homeowner project. It’s easier to do with modern wiring and boxes, but it still can be done with older types of wire as well. To replace a fixture, follow all safety precautions, read the instructions and diagrams that come with the fixture, and …

1. Turn the power off and test to make sure it’s off.
2. Follow the preceding steps for testing the fixture’s socket to remove the fixture and undo the wire connections.
3. If the fixture does not have an electrical box, install .
4. Install the mounting strap that comes with your new fixture to the box. (The strap, also called a mounting yoke, has predrilled holes set to the dimensions of the fixture.)
5. Connect the black wire and the white wire from the fixture to their counterparts in the circuit wires.
6. Connect the grounding wire to the grounding screw on the mounting strap and to the grounding conductor that might come attached to the fixture.
7. Install a light bulb, turn on the power, and test the fixture. After the test, turn off the power and remove the bulb.
8. Attach the fixture with its mounting screws to the mounting strap.
9. Install the light bulb and the globe.