If I’ve never done this, does it make sense to install a new light fixture yourself or hire an electrician?
Saturday, June 13th, 2009 at
10:56 pm
Jimmy asked:
I’ve never done anything with electricity before, but I’m considering installing a new light fixture myself. Is this crazy, or is it really a simple thing? This is an older house and I worry not about getting electrocuted, but more about starting a fire later, or that I won’t recognize poor wiring that already exists in the house. People say it’s really easy to install light fixtures and there’s nothing to it. Is that true?
Tagged with: Electrician • Light Fixture • People
Filed under: Do It Yourself (DIY)
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
brighton electric
Um…yeah you should hire someone.
brighton electrician
Do it yourself.
Just make SURE the power is off to that room!
And then….go make sure it’s off AGAIN!
THen, it’s just a few screws & 3 wires.
Most all are color coded & come in white, black, & green.
Match the old wires to the new fixture.
sussex electric
There is definitely something to it…and yes, you can get a nasty shock. Before you try to do anything regarding electricity, research or look for a seminar [Home Depot, maybe?] where you can learn basics. If you want to try without knowing what you’re doing, at least make sure you have someone to hold a flashlight [and maybe dial 911] since you will want to turn off the breaker for the room – at least that way you won’t get electrocuted…though you might start a fire when you turn the breaker back on.
sussex electrical
Do it yourself! But get a do-it-yourself book. it’ll include steps to take to help ensure that you don’t miss anything. You can also get testers and voltge detectors at your local hardware store, to make sure you don’t accidentally work on a live wire, and to ensure proper wiring.
sussex electric
It is fairly easy to replace an existing light fixture, but it also can be tricky in an old house because the wiring isn’t totally standard. You have to pay careful attention to how the old fixture was wired, because the colors may not match up with what is in the printed instructions. You also have to make sure the electricity is OFF when you do the installation, at least at the light switch, preferably at the circuit breaker or fuse box. Since your friends are telling you this is easy, ask one of them who has done it before to help you out.
If this is not a replacement fixture but a brand new fixture where none has been before, you want a professional.
sussex electrics
I’ve considered doing the very same thing, and I don’t have any experience with it either. I still want to, and have noticed that Home Depot and Lowes both offer free DIY project classes, which often rotate through the different kinds of projects you might do. They have electric wiring classes which last a few hours and it doesn’t cost you anything to attend. They let you ask questions and even give you a little hands on experience!
sussex electrical
It’s not that hard. As long as the switch is off, you should be ok. However, to be completely safe, turn it off at the breaker. Undo the existing fixture and disconnect the wires. Then install the new fixture. There should be directions, however vague. Just reconnect the wires to the new fixture and make sure you tape off the connectors with electrical tape. and secure it however it says. Turn back on the breaker and you should be done.
brighton electrical
Can you say “Zap?”