How To Install Fluorescent Lights

Installing fluorescent lights can be quite a simple procedure. Follow our 5-step guide below!

Steps To Install Fluorescent Lights

In order to mount a traditional fluorescent ceiling fixture, you’ll have to start by using a stud finder to locate ceiling joists. If you cannot find anywhere you wish to hang the fixture, you can try to use toggle bolts to anchor it in the drywall.

Ensure your drill and hardware are accessible at this time. Shut the power off to your circuit prior to doing any work on this fixture.

Step 1. Remove The Cover

• Remove the cover and make any connections within your fixture.
• Use the manufacturer’s instructions for this portion.
• It’s recommended to use wire nuts for splices.
• You may need to add a grounding jumper and pigtails to bridge any gaps between the internal fixture wires and where the cable enters.

Step 2. Open Up A Knockout In Fixture Canopy

• After opening up a knockout in the fixture canopy, feed incoming wires through the hole.
• The fixture will be mounted directly below a ceiling box.
• If this is not the case, plan on securing cable to a smaller knockout with a metal cable clamp.

Step 3. Screw Through Fixture Canopy

• If possible, drive the screws through the fixture canopy all the way into the ceiling joists.
• If the joists do not align properly with the fixture, then secure the fixture to the ceiling materials.
• Do this task by using toggle bolts.

Step 4. Splice

• Splice the fixture’s black lead to your circuit’s black hot wire.
• Also do this to the white fixture lead to the incoming white neutral wire.
• Wrap this around the fixture’s grounding screw.
• Secure this by tightening the screw.

Step 5. Secure Fluorescent Lights Into Tube holders

• Slip the ends of the fluorescent tubes into the tube holders at this time.
• Add the diffusing panel atop your tubes.
• Typically, diffusing panels will simply snap into place.
• Restore the power, then test out your new lights.

SHIELD’S ELECTRIC IN TEMPE, ARIZONA