How To Change An Outdoor Light

When the outdoor light stops working, it can be a real pain. It suddenly becomes difficult to navigate your porch or yard at night and can make your home look less inviting. Changing an outdoor light is a quick and easy task that can be completed in just a few minutes. Here are the steps on how to do it:

Safety First

Before you start, make sure to turn off the power to the light. You can do this by flipping the breaker or removing the fuse that corresponds to the light. Once the power is off, you can begin.

Remove the Old Light

The first step is to remove the old light. This is usually done by unscrewing the two screws that hold the light in place. Once the screws are removed, you can pull the light straight down to detach it from the electrical box.

Disconnect the Wires

Once the light is removed, you will need to disconnect the wires. There are usually three wires: a black wire, a white wire, and a green or bare copper wire. The black wire is the hot wire, the white wire is the neutral wire, and the green or bare copper wire is the ground wire.

To disconnect the wires, simply unscrew the wire nuts that are connecting them. Once the wire nuts are removed, you can pull the wires apart.

Connect the New Light

Now it's time to connect the new light. First, feed the wires from the new light through the hole in the electrical box. Then, connect the wires to the corresponding wires on the electrical box. Make sure that the black wire is connected to the black wire, the white wire is connected to the white wire, and the green or bare copper wire is connected to the green or bare copper wire.

Once the wires are connected, screw on the wire nuts to secure them. Make sure that the wire nuts are tight, but do not overtighten them.

Install the New Light

Once the wires are connected, you can install the new light. Position the light over the electrical box and screw in the two screws to secure it.

Turn on the Power

Once the light is installed, you can turn on the power. Flip the breaker or insert the fuse that corresponds to the light. The new light should now be working.

Tips

Here are a few tips for changing an outdoor light:

If you are not comfortable working with electricity, it is best to hire a qualified electrician.
Make sure that the new light is the same wattage as the old light.
If the new light does not work, check to make sure that the wires are connected properly.