Changing a light in a room can change the entire feel of the room.  It is one of the most economical ways to give a room that new look and feel.  But, there is a variety of lighting fixtures to choose from.

Once you have a lighting fixture picked out, it’s time to install it. As a Cary electrician, our team at AGK Electric helps with lighting installation services. But, we also understand that many Cary homeowners want to replace a light fixture themselves.

Before starting to change a lighting fixture, there are a few tools that should be easily accessible:

• Voltage detector
• Wire strippers
• Screwdriver
• Light fixture
• Work light/flashlight
• Wire nuts

As with any electrical project, the first and most important step is to disconnect power to the circuit by removing the fuse or switching off the circuit breaker. Use a circuit tester (also called a neon tester) to confirm the circuit is dead.

Additional things to keep in mind when installing a new lighting system are:

• Grounding Metal Fixtures: All incandescent and fluorescent fixtures with exposed metal parts must be grounded. Each fixture comes with its own set of grounding guidelines.
• Nonmetallic Fixture Boxes: A nonmetallic box does not need grounding, but the fixture must be grounded with a metal grounding bar or by attaching the grounding wire to the bar.
• Hanging Fixtures: Hanging fixtures also need a grounding wire from the light bulb socket to the box. Most new fixtures are pre-wired with a grounding wire.

Installing a new lighting system can be a bit tricky.  There are many items on the checklist.  And when dealing with any sort of electrical issue, safety has its own checklist.  Call the pros at AGK Electric and let us handle the hassle.