Ceiling Light

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)

1. Locate the Ceiling Joists: Use a stud finder to locate the ceiling joists and mark them with painter’s tape.

2. Measure to the Installation Spot: Determine the center spot between neighboring joists and mark it with a pencil.

3. Cut the Ceiling Hole: Use a hole saw or drywall jab saw to cut a 4-inch-diameter hole in the ceiling drywall.

4. Clear the Ceiling Hole: Remove any insulation or debris from inside the ceiling hole.

5. 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.

6. Insert the Box in the Ceiling Hole: Push the electrical box into the ceiling hole and hold it in place.

7. Tighten the Ceiling Box: Tighten the screws on the outer frame of the electrical box until all attachment ears are firmly in place.

8. Attach the Mounting Straps to the Ceiling Box: Screw the mounting straps included with the ceiling light to the electrical box.

9. Attach the Wires to the Ceiling Light: Connect the wires of the electric cable to the corresponding wires on the ceiling light.

10. 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

1. Determine Direction of the Ceiling Joists: Use a stud finder to determine the orientation and distance between the ceiling joists.

2. Measure to the Middle of the Joists: Determine the middle point between neighboring joists and mark it with a pencil.

3. Cut the Ceiling Hole: Cut a 4-inch-diameter hole in the ceiling drywall using a hole saw or jab saw.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Tighten the Brace: Lengthen the brace by hand to tighten it between the joists. Use a Crescent or hex wrench if necessary.

7. Insert the Cable in the Box: Insert the electrical cable into the electrical box and clamp it into place.

8. 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.

9. Install Mounting Straps on the Ceiling Box: Screw the mounting straps to the electrical box.

10. 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.