Flourescent Light

• Always make sure the power is SHUT OFF by turning off the breaker in the circuit breaker box or by removing a fuse in a fusebox. Note: fuseboxes are not as common as circuit breaker boxes.
• Test the light in question and make sure it does not turn on and light up.

Supplies for Electrical Home Improvement to Replace a Light with a Flourescent Light

Home Improvement Instructions for Replacing a Flourescent Light

1. I am assuming that you do have an existing light in a ceiling (such as a kitchen, garage or workshop) and you want to replace it with a flourescent light.


2. If this is the case, make sure electricity is off.


3. Begin by removing the old light fixture.


4. You should be left with three wires sticking out of the box mounted in the ceiling. A black wire, a white wire and a ground wire (usually copper or green in color).


5. Let's assume you want to wire up a 48" long, 4 bulb flourescent light fixture. We must now examine how to anchor it to the ceiling.



6. Due to its length, obviously it must be supported by screws, mollybolts or hollow wall anchors of some sort. If you can locate the celing joists, then I would use 2-1/2" drywall screws. Just drill some holes through the back of the light where the screws can hit those joists.
   
   If mollybolts are your choice, then drill 4 holes near each corner of the fixture. Insert the mollybolt bolts through each hole and then screw on the wing end on each bolt. You will have to spring the wing ends together when pushing them into a large enough hole in the ceiling drywall. The winged parts will flip back and that's what anchors the light tightly to the ceiling drywall. Hollow wall anchors attach similarly.


7. Be sure you can retreive the wires in the ceiling box, even if you have to drill a large hole in the light to stick it through. File off any rough burrs that may have been created when drilling. It is best to use plastic hole liners to insure the electrical wires do not short out.



8. After the light has been anchored solidly to the ceiling, it is time to hook up the black and white wires using yellow scotchlocks. Just attach these over both black wires and turn clockwise until tight. Repeat for the white wires.
   
   Attach the green or copper colored ground wire to the little green screw already attached to the new light fixture.


9. Attach the metal cover over the wires and transformers. Make sure all wires are tucked in and under the cover. It simply needs to be pinched to spring into position.



10. Your light will typically need 48" flourescent bulbs with 2 little pins sticking out of each end. These bulbs slide into the sockets and twist 90 degrees to lock in. Put all 4 bulbs into their sockets.



11. Turn the power back on and flip the switch.

You have now installed a new flourescent light.