Recessed light fixtures are installed into the ceiling of a home. Often referred to as canister or can lights, they are placed against the joists of the ceiling structure. A defective or inoperative canister light may present an electrical hazard. At the very least, it will detract from your lighting scheme. With a few simple tools, you can replace a defective canister light fixture.
Instructions
1. Turn off the power to the circuit feeding the light at the home's circuit breaker panel. Don't be satisfied with simply switching off the circuit at the wall switch -- the risk of accidental shock is too great.
2. Pull off the trim ring at the bottom of the canister light. You may need to pry it off with a flat-bladed screwdriver. Remove the bulb from the canister light fixture.
3. Loosen and remove the screws on the inside vertical side of the fixture. These hold the light against the ceiling joist. Lower the light down from the ceiling until you can reach the wires.
4. Loosen and remove the wire nuts connecting the home wiring to the canister light. Record which wires are connected to the light. There may be more than one set of wires if the canister light is one of several on the same circuit. You may need the notes to know reconnect the wires.
5. Match the wires of the new canister light to the home wiring. Place wire nuts over the ends of the wires. Twist the wires until they are tightly bound together.
6. Slide the new canister into the opening in the ceiling. Slide screws through the mounting holes on the inside of the canister, and tighten them into the ceiling joist.
7. Place a bulb into the light fixture. Snap the trim ring on the bottom of the canister, then turn on the power.
Tags: replace, recessed, light, fixture, canister, canister light, light fixture, bottom canister, canister light fixture, ceiling joist, home wiring, into ceiling, light home