How to replace your old lighting fixture with a flush mount light

You don’t have to be an expert to install a flush mount light. Here are a few simple steps to guide you through the process.Replacing your current light fixture at home can be relatively inexpensive with flush mount lights compared to chandeliers and ceiling pendants, although they come in several elegant styles as well. Plain or fancy, flush mounts can certainly add charm and sophistication into any room and are great for homes with low ceiling. Unlike other ceiling lights, flush mounts do not have a stem or rod. You can mount them directly to the ceiling, so there is a spacious clean visual space. You don't have to be a journeyman electrician to install a flush mount ceiling fixture. While working remember to follow two important rules:

Reminder #1: Make sure that you turn the power off at the fixture

Turn on the light that is attached to the current ceiling light fixture then turn the power off at the circuit breaker box. Once you’ve done this, the light should turn off. To be sure that the power to this fixture is indeed off, use a voltage tester.

Reminder #2: Measure the depth of the globe from the ceiling

If you will be replacing the old globe with a new one but will be using the old threaded tube, you need to ensure that the new globe fits the current existing tube. You can do this by measuring the depth of the tube and the globe. The tube’s length should allow the nut to be screwed onto the tube once the new globe is in place.

Now follow these eight easy steps:

1. Tighten the nut to hold the threaded tube in place in the strap without turning. Otherwise, when you install the final nut holding the globe in place, the tube might move and prevent you from tightening the nut.
2. If the new fixture came with junction box screws, remove old screws and use the new ones.
3. Screw the threaded tube in place in the junction box.
4. Secure the ground wire on the green mounting strap ground screw.
5. Twist the fixture's stranded wires together with the supply wires, and screw a twist-on wire connector over them.
6. Hold the fixture in place against the ceiling and screw the nut onto the threaded tube until the nut is tight enough that the fixture and globe will not wobble when in place.
7. Screw light bulbs into the sockets. They should not be more than 40 Watts each. Bulbs with higher Wattage can produce excessive heat.
8. Turn the breaker switch on again. The light should come on.