How to Hang a Ceiling Light: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners
Choosing the Right Electrical Box
The type of electrical box you need depends on the weight of your ceiling light. For lights weighing 6 pounds or less, use a 4-inch round plastic old work electrical box. For heavier lights, use a 4-inch round metal old work electrical box with an attached brace.
Safety Considerations
Before you begin, turn off the power to all wires that run through the ceiling. Wear a dust mask when cutting the drywall or working within the ceiling, as drywall dust can be irritating.
Tools and Materials
Equipment/Tools:
- 4-inch hole saw or manual jab saw
- Electric drill
- Stud finder
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Electrical fish tape
- Step ladder
- Utility knife
- Pliers
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
Materials:
- Ceiling light
- 4-inch PVC old work round electrical box (as needed)
- 4-inch metal old work round electrical box with brace (as needed)
- Cable clamps (for metal boxes)
- Painter’s tape
Step-by-Step Guide for Hanging a Ceiling Light (6 Pounds or Less)
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Locate the Ceiling Joists: Use a stud finder to locate the ceiling joists and mark them with painter’s tape.
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Measure to the Installation Spot: Determine the center spot between neighboring joists and mark it with a pencil.
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Cut the Ceiling Hole: Use a hole saw or drywall jab saw to cut a 4-inch-diameter hole in the ceiling drywall.
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Clear the Ceiling Hole: Remove any insulation or debris from inside the ceiling hole.
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Insert the Wires in the Box: Use electrical fish tape to pull the electric cable to the installation spot and insert it into the electrical box.
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Insert the Box in the Ceiling Hole: Push the electrical box into the ceiling hole and hold it in place.
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Tighten the Ceiling Box: Tighten the screws on the outer frame of the electrical box until all attachment ears are firmly in place.
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Attach the Mounting Straps to the Ceiling Box: Screw the mounting straps included with the ceiling light to the electrical box.
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Attach the Wires to the Ceiling Light: Connect the wires of the electric cable to the corresponding wires on the ceiling light.
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Hang the Ceiling Light: Screw the base of the ceiling light onto the mounting strap and attach the dome or diffuser.
Step-by-Step Guide for Hanging a Heavy Ceiling Light
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Determine Direction of the Ceiling Joists: Use a stud finder to determine the orientation and distance between the ceiling joists.
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Measure to the Middle of the Joists: Determine the middle point between neighboring joists and mark it with a pencil.
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Cut the Ceiling Hole: Cut a 4-inch-diameter hole in the ceiling drywall using a hole saw or jab saw.
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Clear the Installation Section: Remove any debris from the installation section, which is a 5-inch-wide strip on top of the drywall running perpendicular to the joists.
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Install the Brace in the Hole: Unscrew the box and bracket from the brace and place the brace in the hole, perpendicular to the joists and centered over the hole.
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Tighten the Brace: Lengthen the brace by hand to tighten it between the joists. Use a Crescent or hex wrench if necessary.
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Insert the Cable in the Box: Insert the electrical cable into the electrical box and clamp it into place.
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Attach the Box to the Brace: Slide the bracket over the brace, center it over the hole, and fit the electrical box onto the bracket’s machine screws. Tighten the nuts with pliers.
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Install Mounting Straps on the Ceiling Box: Screw the mounting straps to the electrical box.
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Hang the Ceiling Light: Strip the ends of the wires on the electric cable and attach them to the ceiling light’s wires. Screw the ceiling light base to the mounting strap.
Tips
- If you plan to install a ceiling fan in the future, use a metal old work electrical box with a brace. This will allow you to convert the ceiling light to a ceiling fan later on.
- Don’t forget to add the cable to the box before installing it.
- Metal boxes require cable clamps, which need to be purchased separately.
- With PVC old work boxes, use a manual screwdriver instead of a drill to avoid overtightening and breaking the attachment ears.
- Preassemble light fixture parts on the ground to minimize the strain of working overhead.
When to Call a Professional
Hanging a ceiling light box is generally a simple task that most DIYers can accomplish. However, if you are uncomfortable with electrical work, you can call a licensed electrician to fish the electrical cable through the walls and ceiling and attach it to a live power source.
