How to Relamp Overhead Light Fixtures

Turn off the power for the light at the circuit breaker box.

Position a ladder underneath the light fixture. Loosen the thumb screws at the bottom of the light fixture while supporting the light with the other hand. Lower the fixture from the ceiling until the wires are exposed.

Twist off the wire nuts connecting the home wiring to the light's wires. In rare cases, you may need to cut the wires. If so, preserve as much of the wires' length as possible. Take the light fixture down and set it aside.

Remove the screws holding the old light fixture's mounting plate to the gang box in the ceiling. Position the new light fixture's mounting plate onto the gang box and attach it with the supplied screws.

Match the black, white and green or bare wires of the new light with the home's black, white and green wires. Place a wire nut on each pair and twist it until the wires are firmly joined.

Push the wiring up into the ceiling while raising the light fixture to the mounting plate. Slide the mounting holes of the new fixture over the screws of the mounting plate. Attach the thumb screws to the screws and tighten until the light is flush with the ceiling.