We just moved into a new place and even though we're renting, we wanted to swap out the pendant above the dining table for a nice upgrade we can take with us when we go. I was going to call an electrician until a friend mentioned that I ought to be able to handle it myself. So I did, and was a lot simpler than I expected!
What You Need
Materials:
Screwdriver
Wirecutters/strippers (or if you're handy, a pair of scissors)
Instructions
1. Turn off Electricity!
2. Unscrew the cap fitting for the old fixture and unscrew the wires so you can take the fixture down off the ceiling.
3. Measure the length you want the new fixture to hang (standard is for the fixture to hang about 3 feet up from the table top). Cut the cord to your desired length and strip about an inch of the rubber casing off of each wire so you have exposed wires to work with.
4. Screw the fixture into the ceiling with the two screws that should have already been in place from the last fixture so you don't have to hold it while you wire it up.
5. Twist white wire with white wire and black wire with black wire and cap each of them with one of those red things
6. Finish screwing in the fixture so the cap is flush against the ceiling.
Additional Notes: This was fairly simple since there was already a fixture in place. We wouldn't have attempted anything more complicated with electricity since it can be risky. We made sure the power in that circuit was off and that the switch was off (and that everyone knew not to turn it on) before starting. If you have any concerns about your wiring, etc. don't try this, call a professional!
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Comments (14)
If I could do it anyone can. These are great simple instructions.
I'd said step 1a is MAKE SURE you turned off the electricity.
This is easy and I have done it; but it helps to have two pairs of hands. If the fixture is heavy, don't try to do it alone.
I second Charlotte's post. I always double-check with both the electric device itself (does the light turn on?) and one of those cheap little testers that you touch both wires with to see if there's current. Better safe than (extremely) sorry.
No junction box? No ground?
@webherring -- What do you mean? I am about to try this myself, coincidentally. Are there other things you should worry about like grounding (although I'm not even sure what that means)?
This is an easy DIY project (we've just replaced 9 fixtures in our apartment.) But I third Charlotte's point.
1) Turn the electricity off at the circuit breaker box (not just the light switch); 2) make sure that your hand held tester works by using it to check a known live source such as wall socket; and then 3) use the hand held tester to verify that none of the wires from the ceiling are "live."
Webherring is right as well. There should be a third wire (usually green) for the ground that connects the junction box itself to the fixture.
Hey, sorry to interject w/ an unrelated note. I LOVE the color on the walls. Do you mind telling me what it is?
Yeah, you need to twist the little copper or green wire onto either the grounding screw or the metal brace of the junction box. Did you notice a spare wire?
Definitely remember to ground the device. Your steps outlined above are unsafe, and against electrical codes.
What is the lovely gray color you used on your walls?
Unfortunately for some of us there is a chance you don't have a grounding wire... because your home still has knob and tube remnants. For me I am going to have an electrician finally take out all the knob and tube and then replace the fixtures. But if you rent, and have knob and tube and no grounding wires, then what do you do?
Also---yeah isnt there supposed to be a junction box in there that kind of holds the fixture into the ceiling safely?! because as of right now the fixtures appear to be in there just by drywall screws.... that is kind of unsafe isn't it?
I just recently did this myself! But-now I need to know how to turn a vintage swag into a pendant?? Btw-what is the color of your dining room? looks great!
anyone know what color this is?