How to Wire for a New Ceiling Light | All About Lights | Ask This Old House
Ask This Old House electrician Scott Caron installs a new switch and ceiling fixture for a homeowner.
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Time: 2 hours
Cost: $100
Skill Level: Expert
Tools List for Wiring a New Ceiling Light:
Oscillating saw
Pliers
Drill
Shopping List:
LED light fixture
Electrical mounting box
Electrical single gang box
Electrical wire
Wire nuts
Electric staples
Fish tape
Electrical tape
Madison bars
Light switch
Light switch cover
Steps:
1. Before doing any electrical work, always shut off power to the house at the main breaker.
2. Trace the mounting box on the ceiling where the light fixture will be mounted.
3. Cut out the traced hole with an oscillating saw.
4. Determine a location for the light switch. It should be 48” from the floor.
5. Trace the electrical box for the switch and cut it out the same way as the mounting box.
6. Locate a source of power for the switch, either at a junction box or at the main electrical panel.
7. Connect the electrical wire to your source of power using the pliers and wire nuts and fish it through the joists until it reaches the light switch. Secure the wire to the joists with electric staples.
8. Drill through the floor in the correct stud bay and send the wires for the switch and the light up to the switch using the fish tape.
9. Mount the electrical box with Madison bars in the wall and wire the switch.
10. Screw the switch into the box and then cover it with the cover plate.
11. Cut a temporary access hole in the wall and fish wires from the fixture mount in the ceiling to the temporary hole, and then from the temporary hole through the joist back down to the basement where the switch was wired.
12. Mount the electrical box in the ceiling with more Madison bars and screws.
13. Wire the new fixture in the box and mount it to the ceiling.
14. Patch the wall where the temporary hole was cut.
15. Turn the power back on.
Resources:
Scott installed the “Boxie” ceiling-mounted LED fixture, manufactured byTech Lighting (http://www.techlighting.com/Products/Fixtures/Flush-Mounts/Boxie-Ceiling).
Basic electrical items like switch boxes, ceiling boxes, 14 gauge Romex wire, and switches can be found at a home center or electrical supply house.
Expert assistance with this project was provided byCaron Electric(http://www.caronelectric.com/) andWolfers Lighting (http://www.wolfers.com/).
Keywords: This Old House, How-to, home improvement, DIY, Scott Caron, electrical, Ask This Old House, repair, lighting
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How to Wire for a New Ceiling Light | All About Lights | Ask This Old House
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What’s that tool called that you used to cut a hole in the ceiling at 1:36
These American switches are very very old !
appliance.academy
5:30 “you made it look easy”
So when it burns out you get to replace the whole thing! Totally worth it
It says 2018… but how old are really those videos? Everything seems so outdated and fugly… the switch, the ceiling light, the electrical boxes..
why does this man go crazy for LED's they suck
I like the autotuned saw
question: I noticed he used the metal box with that madison bar. Why not use an existing work box that has the self tightening levers already included? I imagine their was a reason for the route he went when he chose that option.
amazing me to Electrcian
If I were you I would add a fan rated brace type box so it is future proofed and the ceiling won’t fall if a fan goes up
“We have…. are you ready for this?!?!?
LIGHT EMITTING DIODES!!!!”
Ah yes, the good old days.
Where do you live? I want it
Why are the ceilings so low???
Wowweeowe
'How To' question; Can I install a junction box near my single light fixture (over my island) to tap into it, to install 2 additional ceiling pendant fixtures?
East
Next home owner named Madison hangs a ceiling fan and realizes that thing is held up by only Madison bars..
33 seconds in. Points out a flaw with every american eldctrical outlet. Not a flaw with this installation specifically.
Good guy, they should bring him back on the show
Wait! Was I the only one that didn't hear him say "cut the power first" especially since he stuck a screw driver in that box?????
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Look for signs that you are saved. Things like spreading the good news from Jesus, getting other people saved, a craving for the word of God, reading the Bible, etc… These things are known as a calling and fruit bearing. If you're not bearing fruit then keep doing it. Sometimes it takes time to get saved. Read Matthew chapter 13 from the King James Bible. God bless!!!
U never showed where the wire got power from to the ceilings
Please hire a professional if this looks like an easy job, an do not hang a fan there
Does he just slap that box up where ever I hope he measured center of the room before he cut it out
Save money and get a celling fan rated box to put in and a small chunk of chain to hand the original light by just hacking off the end of the cord turn those wires to life just as if it's like a chandelier.
Something not clear?? How you the light on now ??! And you didn’t counter to the switch??
Nice install. Never heard of "madison bars" before. We have 3 external lights that are really LED panels–we like them (though they do have an industrial/commercial look, which wouldn't suit everyone).
From the cut away of the switch looks like points from an old engine like a Briggs or v8
1:31
"I love it – how do I get it up" – lady — LOL love it! (1:15)
1:30 my favorite song ❤️
This is a great and informative video.
Part ll Repairing drywall hole with hot mud
Ive been an electrician since 97', and I quit.
what is a wall patch?
Did he even cut off the main power box before we even start doing electrician
1:32
Come on check the electrical behind drywall before cutting.
Hello I bought 2 led lights that have a short cord that can be plug in outlet with on and off switch, but it also comes with cable that can be wired. It's nice that this can be plug in outlet and haclve an on and off switch. The problem is that cord is only 2 ft long.
I have a ceiling fan with light in garage. I control it with light switch from inside house. If I decide to wire the two new led lights can i tap it from ceiling fan? That way when I flip light switch on it will turn on ceiling fun and new led lights too? Do I have to get into attic to do this?
So what do you do if you don't have a basement or an attic?
Enjoyed it, thank you.
I like how he just puts the box on the ceiling without any measuring,
So Hermione asked YouKnowWho for help.
When did Steve Wilkos become an Electrician?
Take a shot everytime she says "that sounds great"
I've seen better acting on the Hub
Ok, but you didn't show us how to do the wiring in that box, not very helpful…
So who patched the hole in the upper wall?
I'm so glad he isn't on the show any more. In all my years of electrical work, If I was hiring, I believe that the only place his job application would be would be in the trash can.
This guy don't need a ladder
Can anyone else hear that fancy music playing at 1:31 and 1:39
Does no one else think she looks like a cleaned up Pennsetuckey from Orange is the New Black?
when i see it i think i'm in 1940 right now
OMG! I'm triggered – he is "mansplaining" so much! )))
How will The next homeowners put up a ceiling fan the box is just gonna come right out along with the fan
Please remember your dust masks!
Are there any differences adding a light to the kitchen?
Pro Tips: NEVER use a power tool to cut blindly into sheetrock. You could easily cut through a concealed wire. Instead, use a hand held keyhole saw. Also, do not use those metal boxes with those flimsy metal mounting straps. It is much better to use "old work" plastic boxes that will mount securely to the sheetrock. .
Madison bars ugh! OWC clips are the way to go.
what is wrong with this video. They didn't turn it on at night time, to show you how well it lights up the room.
after i'm done the light and i'm light you up too
If you don’t know to shut off the power or measure to put the light in the center of the ceiling you shouldn’t be watching this video. It’s a good video for a guy with some tools and common sense. Also anyone who puts a ceiling fan up without checking the box installation first deserves what ever happens to them.
Now for the first time she doesn't have to stumble through a dark room to turn the light on. A electrical feature the rest of us have enjoyed for about 70 years.
This video is terrible. Can’t see the whole picture of what’s going or coming from where – with the way they did the video edits. Also how is the switch connected to the fixture if it’s two separate wires connected to two different locations
@3:46 he asks 2 ft. out but he use only 5,6 inch why he waste wires?
That’s a lot of work for that one light
I think that cutter was an electric guitar in another life
hmm
That is one butt-ugly lighting fixture.
They didn’t show what wires he tied into in the power source in the basement so the videos pointless
The alluring shadow terminally invite because twig contemporaneously jog barring a cute washer. ambitious, watery dog
Sure hope there is no stud under there as you cut…
Imma go with white to white, black to black, ground to ground. What's a concept.
Someone loves too piggy back
Lol that's so horrible… lm glad he helped her out. She really needed it.
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Electrical isn’t a hobby hire an electrician.
The oscillating saw sounded like WALL-E
Do they not have attics up north?
This was so good to watch. Just what I was looking for! Thanks!
lucky you didn't have any beams on a ceiling
Again I see this! Put a fricken fan rated box to the structure, it’s code for us here why does he do this!
Quite the improvement, only thing I’d change is a nicer light fixture for the space.
Good video as always but don't like that he cuts through the main beam to pass wires. The beam already showing signs of wear and tear and lost strength over the years.