Questions tagged [light-fixture]
For questions generally relating to lamp holders, luminaires, and any other electrical device designed to use an electric lamp to provide artificial light in a home.
1,461
questions
34
votes
8
answers
20k
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LED Light bulbs burning out much sooner than expected
My family at my house use EcoSmart LED lightbulbs that are rated for 9W, and the box says they are replacements for 60W incandescent bulbs. It says have a "long life". However, upon ...
19
votes
7
answers
80k
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How can I change light bulbs in a fixture located 20ft above the ground?
We made the unfortunate decision of having a ceiling fan with lights in our two story family room, so the ceiling fan is about 20 feet above our heads. At the moment, all four light bulbs in the unit ...
19
votes
4
answers
237k
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How do I remove a flush mounted ceiling light fixture dome?
My bedroom has a very nice looking flush mounted ceiling light with a glass dome. However, all the bulbs have gone out and I cannot get the glass out to replace them. I'm 5'4" and standing on the ...
17
votes
1
answer
2k
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How can I open or identify this lamp?
There's a lamp attached to the ceiling of the entrance to the garages of me and my neighbours, and its bulb needs to be replaced. The problem is: I have no idea how to open it.
There is no way to ...
16
votes
6
answers
5k
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Old ceiling light fixture with 9 wires (5 black/4 white)-how to install a new fixture?
I am trying to install a new light fixture, but there are 9 wires--I wasn't able to see how it was connected and I'm pretty sure it was wrong to begin with because bulbs kept burning out right away.
...
16
votes
3
answers
32k
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How can I patch this ceiling hole my new light fixture does not fully cover?
I recently had a new ceiling light fitted which replaced a standard plastic ceiling rose. The new fitting is quite slim and the old fitting was hiding a larger than expected cutout in the plasterboard....
14
votes
6
answers
19k
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Is an extra 1 W that significant with LED bulbs?
I recently replaced a ceiling light fixture with a ceiling fan with two light sockets that have a maximum rating of 9 W for LED bulbs. The bulbs in the original fixture are 10 W LED and dimmable. ...
13
votes
5
answers
124k
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I have this light and I don't know how to open it
I would like to replace the bulb and I don't know how to do it. I tried pulling the clips on the side out, but they don't budge. Then I tried to unscrew the clips off (hence the third picture), but ...
12
votes
3
answers
18k
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Wiring IKEA light fixture into old fixture
I am installing a simple IKEA ceiling light fixture.
The new light fixture has a neutral wire, a live wire, and a ground wire.
My current old light fixture has 4 wires: white, red, dark blue or ...
12
votes
2
answers
31k
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Should there be insulation inside a light fixture?
I recently moved into a new home, and I was replacing a light bulb when I found this after removing the glass cover.
Now, I don't know much about codes and regulations, and I'm new to working on my ...
12
votes
2
answers
30k
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How do I fill holes around a light switch?
I have a light switch where the plaster board around the edges of the face plate have broken away.
I was thinking of using some kind of filler like Polycell to fill the holes but I'm not really sure ...
11
votes
3
answers
3k
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Should I hire an electrician or handyman to move some lights? [closed]
I have 2 ceiling lights in Wisconsin, USA that I would like to move slightly (one to be in the middle of our table and one to be in our entry way). Both lights need to move a few feet. This is not ...
11
votes
1
answer
35k
views
How can I change the bulb in this three-clawed, ceiling-mounted dome light fixture?
I am having trouble retrieving the light bulb in this fixture:
I tried bending the claws to release the dome, but that did not work. I tried twisting the whole fixture many times in either direction, ...
11
votes
1
answer
13k
views
How to replace a standard 2-gang light switch with an electric dimmer switch
I'm looking for a some assistance in fitting a new electric dimmer light switch. I'm in the UK if that makes a difference.
I am trying to replace my existing two-gang light switch with a LightWaveRF ...
11
votes
3
answers
52k
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Convert One 3-Way Light Switch to Belkin WeMo Light Switch (Single Pole)
Our foyer chandelier has three switches that control it. I want to control it with a Belkin WeMo light switch, which specifically states is not compatible with 3-way switches/fixtures, sadly. Well, if ...
10
votes
2
answers
59k
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Light Outlet Reading 80V
I have a hallway light that doesn't light up with the switch is flipped. My first move was to change the bulb. This did not work. I used a multimeter to test the voltage across that socket and I'm ...
10
votes
3
answers
402k
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How should I connect the ground wire for my light fixture?
I am replacing a light fixture in my bathroom and have the following setup:
The electrical box is plastic
The wire coming from supply has black (hot), white (neutral) and copper (ground).
The light ...
10
votes
4
answers
100k
views
How much weight can an old work box hold?
I will be installing new light fixtures in two bathrooms that look like this:
Each fixture will be replacing a light box. Meaning it is a simple chrome plated box about 30" wide with a plastic ...
9
votes
3
answers
24k
views
Light fixture wiring - black to black, or white to black?
USA - I’m installing a new ceiling light fixture in a bathroom. The instructions (and every how-to video I watched) said to connect white to white (neutral) and black to black (hot). However, when I ...
9
votes
3
answers
9k
views
Can I replace a bulb with one with more watt?
I have a lamp (from IKEA) that had a light bulb 3W 200lm 67lm/W 26mA
I bought a light bulb that says 4W=35W 230LM
Can I replace with that light bulb or even with higher watt? I mean is the only ...
9
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Are there any differences in the quality of products sold at contractor's supply store vs. big box hardware stores?
We are in the early stages of building a new house & went shopping for lighting fixtures yesterday. We get an allowance from the builder which we know will be used up very quickly after visiting ...
9
votes
3
answers
108k
views
How do I get my recessed light fixture flush?
I installed two new recessed LED light fixtures using 4" new construction IC housings. The problem is that both fixtures are not flush against the ceiling after installation, they are dipping down on ...
9
votes
4
answers
4k
views
How should ground wires be handled when updating switch loops in an older home?
I have a house built in the 1950’s with fabric covered NMC wiring still present in most circuits. Those original wires are all 12/2 with no ground. I am currently in the process of replacing some of ...
9
votes
2
answers
14k
views
What type of connector is this and how do I remove it?
I was trying to install a ceiling fan in my apartment and came across these connectors when removing the light. What is this and how do I take it off?
9
votes
2
answers
4k
views
How can I change the bulb in this light fixture?
I would like to change the light bulb in the room because the bulb died on me. Trouble is, it is fixed to the ceiling and I cannot take the bulb out. I am attaching two pictures here. On one of the ...
8
votes
3
answers
3k
views
UK Light Changing Rose and too many wires
I'm trying to change a UK light ceiling rose in a 1920-30's house and after taking the old rose cover off, the wiring has thrown me. It looks like there's 3 of each live, neutral and earth, and some ...
8
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Light fixture - 3 white wires 3 black wires
I bought a used light fixture. It has three black wires, three white wires, and a ground wire.
The electrical wires coming from my wall only have one white wire and one black wire. How do I safely ...
8
votes
5
answers
112k
views
Is it safe to leave light socket without a light bulb?
We have several light sockets with light bulbs, controlled by a single light switch. I don't need that much light, so I want to remove a couple of light bulbs from their sockets.
Is that safe ?
In ...
8
votes
3
answers
22k
views
Black and white wires crossed in the ceiling
Replacing a ceiling fixture in a house (1989); removed the old fixture, which worked perfectly fine, but now I see up into the box there are 3 cables to this box that includes two blacks and one white ...
8
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Am I allowed to place a light in my small closet per NEC 2023?
I've been redoing all the electric in my house (because I'm pretty sure it's asbestos-wrapped aluminum cable everywhere, and I don't trust it at all), bringing it up to the 2023 NEC (which my ...
8
votes
5
answers
9k
views
Do I need to staple cable when installing lighting fixtures?
I understand that when doing new installations (not fishing wire) you need to secure the cable with staples or another approved method, but do I have to secure the cable within 12" of light fixtures ...
8
votes
3
answers
10k
views
Why would a light fixture be incompatible with dimmer switches?
I'm considering buying the Aero Pure AP80-RVL, which is a recessed bathroom light/exhaust fan combo. It's important to me to be able to use a dimmer switch for the light, but the installation ...
7
votes
3
answers
8k
views
Is it normal for an LED bulb to become hot to the touch?
Overhead light was flickering. Opened it up and the old LED bulb in there was hot to the touch-- something I've never experienced with LED bulbs. This is a pretty old original fixture. Is there ...
7
votes
3
answers
7k
views
Water leaking inside outdoor electrical box. What should I do?
I have some very old outdoor path lights in my front yard (see pic). Recently I found that they trip my upstream GFCI outlet when they were turned on by the timer at night. After some investigation, I ...
7
votes
3
answers
3k
views
What kind of bulb is this and are there LED equivalents?
I am wondering if I can replace this type of bulb in this type of light fixture with an LED equivalent, or if I need a new light fixture altogether.
Here is the fixture:
and the bulb
Thanks!
7
votes
2
answers
766
views
How should a cut chandelier wire be repaired? [duplicate]
The wire in our chandelier is cut and spliced between the fixture and the ceiling. The chandelier is currently being supported by the wires and not the chain. Does the wire need to be completely ...
7
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Replacing light bulbs with receptacles in garage
I'm trying to improve the lighting in my garage. Currently it has several simple bare-bulb lampholders, and I am installing larger hanging LED fixtures that have a cord with a plug.
Initially, I ...
7
votes
4
answers
33k
views
Can I test an unwired light fixture with multimeter?
I’m looking at a light fixture on Craigslist, but I’d like to see if it works first.
I have a multimeter that I needed for another project. Can I use the multimeter to test the light fixture before ...
7
votes
2
answers
2k
views
How do I install a light socket in the middle of a power line with a switch?
I am replacing a light fixture in the middle of a circuit. Power flows into the fixture from the circuit breaker and out of the fixture to other lights and whatnot. There's also a switch attached. I ...
7
votes
3
answers
11k
views
What is this strange, linear light bulb?
Thanks to previous occupants of my house, one of the bathrooms is lit with a pair of lights that are unlike anything I've seen. The bulb is a narrow cylinder, about 3 inches long and maybe 1/4 inch in ...
7
votes
2
answers
117k
views
Is it acceptable, or to code, to splice electrical wire outside of a junction box behind drywall? [duplicate]
I'm planning to add a set of recessed lights to an existing circuit in my home. The existing circuit is fairly simple: one light, controlled by one switch, and there is no insulation in the wall or ...
7
votes
2
answers
14k
views
Why shouldn't different types of bulbs be used in the same fixture?
Why shouldn't different types of light bulbs(i.e. incandescent, LED, cfl) be used in the same fixture?
I read this under the CAUTIONS & WARNINGS section of the LED bulb packaging.
...Do not ...
7
votes
5
answers
61k
views
Why do light bulbs all over the house burn out disconcertingly fast?
I've found a couple answers to this question. This generally revolve around the scenario where it's bulbs in a general area such as a fan.
My issue is that light bulbs all over the house burn out ...
7
votes
1
answer
10k
views
What is the difference between an electronic and a magnetic ballast?
The ballast in my bathroom burned out (brand new bulb won't light up). Looking online, it seems that there are two different types of ballasts: electronic and magnetic.
I recently replaced my ...
7
votes
2
answers
5k
views
How do I attach a motion activated flood light to stucco?
I have some simple motion activated battery powered lights that I bought at Costco a while ago. I want to install them outside the house in the front and back. The device comes with a small plastic ...
6
votes
4
answers
82k
views
How can I attach modern fixture to knob & tube wiring?
I have a modern external light fixture that needs to be attached to an existing exterior electrical 'box'. The older parts of the house have knob & tube wiring and there is evidence of gas ...
6
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Electrical box too small/incompatible with mounting plate
The mounting bracket for my new wall light fixture is incompatible with the existing electrical box. While it seems reasonable to drill the mounting plate so that the top/bottom mounting screws can be ...
6
votes
4
answers
24k
views
Is a grommet needed for romex into this metal junction box?
I bought a 6-pack of these LED downlights. The metal junction box has knockout holes to run my 14-2 (with ground) wire. I was surprised that the J-box didn't come with grommets after knocking out the ...
6
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Why so many wires in my old light fixture?
My old light fixture not working so I took it apart and will get a replacement.
Then I noticed so many wires!
Then I cut all the wires and now have this:
After I cut it, I noticed other light ...
6
votes
4
answers
5k
views
What kind of electrical connector is this and how do I remove it?
I am replacing a bathroom ceiling light fixture. The house is pretty old and has cloth covered wire. The fixture I'm replacing is relatively updated but when I went to remove it, I noticed it was ...