How to Join Wires in a Recessed Lighting Box

Remove 1/2-inch of insulation from the ends of the black, white and green wires attached to the new lighting fixture, using a set of wire strippers. You can do this before going up to install the light.

Turn off the power to the circuit powering the light at the home's circuit breaker panel. Never attempt to work on a live electrical circuit.

Place a stepladder under the recessed lighting fixture box. Stand on the ladder and remove 1/2-inch of insulation from the ends of the black and white wires of the electrical cable that's in the box.

Match the black and white wires of the new light and the home wiring together. Slide a wire nut over the bare ends of each of the paired wires, and twist until it's tight. Wrap electrical tape around the base of the wire nut and the wires leading into it.

Loosen the green screw on the recessed lighting fixture box and attach the bare end of the green wire to it. Tighten the screw.

Place the new light into the lighting fixture box. Attach it to the box with the light's screws at the mounting screw hole locations on the fixture box.