How to Convert a Ceiling Light to a Receptacle

Turn off power to the light fixture from the breaker box. Set up a ladder underneath the light fixture.

Back out the screws securing the light fixture to the electrical box using a Phillips screwdriver. Gently lower the light fixture to expose the electrical wires. Hold a circuit tester against the wires to ensure there is no power being supplied to the fixture.

Twist the wire nuts counterclockwise to loosen them from the wire connections. Separate the light fixture's wires from the power supply's wires and set the light fixture somewhere safe.

Hold the new receptacle up to the electrical box in the ceiling. If the receptacle's screw holes line up with the electrical box's screw holes, you can use it. However, if the screw holes don't line up, you'll need to replace the electrical box.

Back out the screws securing the electrical box to the nearby ceiling joist using a drill and a Phillips driving bit. Remove the electrical box from the ceiling. Remove a knockout hole from the new electrical box with a screwdriver and hammer. Insert a cable connector into the knockout hole and put the new electrical box into the hole in the ceiling. You may need to use a drywall saw to make the hole bigger.

Put the electrical wires through the cable connector. Press the new electrical box against the nearby ceiling joist. Drive 1/2-inch screws through the electrical box's screw holes and into the ceiling joist. Tighten the cable connector's screw with a Phillips screwdriver to hold the wires in place.

Cut 1 inch off the end of each electrical wire using wire strippers. Strip 1/2 inch of rubber coating off the end of each wire. Bend each end into a hook.

Wrap the black wire around one of the receptacle's brass terminal screws. Tighten the screw with a flathead screwdriver to hold the wire in place. Wrap the white wire around one of the receptacle's silver terminal screws and tighten the screw.

Wrap the green or bare-copper ground wire around the receptacle's green grounding screw terminal. Tighten the screw to hold the wire in place. Push all the wires inside the electrical box.

Drive a supplied screw through the receptacle's screw holes to secure it to the electrical box. Place a receptacle cover over the receptacle. Use the supplied screws to secure the cover in place.