Installing ceiling lights is often one of the trickiest parts of bathroom remodeling. It involves more than choosing the right lamp type and design – you also need to consider the right wiring, mounting type, and safety. Safety is particularly important because bathroom wiring is exposed to water and heating systems, increasing the risk of electrical shock.

Know the basics

If you are new to electrical work, knowing some of the basic parts and concepts can go a long way in preventing dangerous mistakes. Lighting installation generally involves four wires: hot wires, ground wires, supply wires, and grounding conductors. Hot wires, usually covered in black or red, deliver electricity to the device. Ground wires conduct the electricity in the opposite direction and are usually white. Supply wires go into an electrical box that comes with the fixture, providing current or electrical flow. Grounding conductors act like backup systems by allowing electricity to flow back in case of failure. They are usually bare copper or covered in green.

Following is a step-by-step guide to installing bathroom ceiling lights.

1. If you are replacing an existing fixture, turn off its power supply, both from the switch and the main electrical box. Remove the fixture by unscrewing it from all holding points. Support the fixture to keep it from falling as you remove the screws.

2. Disconnect the wires holding the fixture to the electrical box. Pull the fixture down a little to give you access to the wire nuts. Remove the wire nuts to release the fixture, and set it aside.

3. Take the wires from your new fixture and strip off about half an inch of the insulating coat from the ends. Identify the hot wires and ground wires; if they are not color-coded, mark them with colored tape to help you keep track.

4. Connect the fixture wires to the corresponding wires on the electrical box. Use wire nuts to splice the wires together. Make sure the right wires go together – look the manufacturer’s color codes to check the wires.

5. If your fixture comes with a grounding wire, hook it up to the grounding wires in the box as well.

6. Check the tightness of the wires by tugging on the new fixture after all the wires have been spliced together. There should be minimum slack, and the fixture should not loosen as you pull.

7. Stuff the wires back into the box, making sure there are no wires peeking out. Seal the box and screw your new fixture over it. Most electrical codes require products to include mounting bars and screws; if your fixture doesn’t comply, get a separate mounting bar to install on the box.

Some safety tips

• Turn off power from the circuit box before working. Make sure you turn off the right power supply. Shut off circuit power with the old light on to indicate that you pulled the right plugs.

• If there are other people in the house, mark the breaker box with a note indicating that there is electrical work going on.

• Follow manufacturer’s instructions closely. If you have very limited skill or experience, ask an electrician to help you. Have two ladders ready if you are working with someone else.

Tag it:

?