Preparing for installtion

Before discarding your box, double-check the box for parts.

Heavier fixtures may require additional structural reinforcement and additional mounting hardware. Double-check your instruction sheet for text regarding heavy installs to ensure that your electric junction box will support the weight of your fixture.

Have your tools close by. For a basic install, you will need:

1. A Philips and flathead screwdriver

2. Electrical tape

3. Wire cutters

4. Chain Pliers

5. Voltage tester

6. Ladder/stool

Unbox the fixture and lay all parts and components out on a clean surface. and assemble the parts that should be connected to the fixture such as socket rings.

Parts are packaged in multiple ways, including the following:

1. Enclosed in a plastic yellow bag, tied with a red ribbon, and attached to the side of the cardboard box.

2. Enclosed in a small cardboard box.

3. Wrapped in plastic sleeves.

Ceiling-hung fixtures may be hung by cord, chain, cable, or rods. Often existing junction boxes will determine the location of the fixture's canopy. Measure to determine the best overall hanging height of your fixture.

Make sure the power is off at the breaker. Double-check that no electricity is running through the junction box with a non-contact voltage detector tool before you disconnect any wires by touching the insulation of each wire with the tester. A glowing light indicates that the wire is live.

Once there is no electricity in the junction box, remove the old mounting strap and install the new mounting strap/bracket. A new mounting strap that is specifically for the fixture you purchased should be in the box.

Have an assistant support the fixture's weight while you test the height of the fixture by placing the fixture up against the junction box. Adjust the fixture's hanging height by adding or removing rods or chains. 

Get your fixture ready to hang by following the assembly instructions. Depending on where you are going to hang the fixture, it may be a good idea to leave breakable parts like glass shades off for now. In most installs, you will be able to install the glass after hanging the fixture.

Pro tip: Leave a little extra wire when doing the initial wire trim.

For ceiling-hung fixtures with long wires, add 10 to 12 inches of wire to the desired length and trim away the excess wires. Thread the wires loosely through every 3 links or so of the chain. Use chain pliers to remove excess chains. This is not necessary for wall or ceiling lights, where the wires are shorter.

Use a wire stripper to remove the new fixture's wires protective coating, exposing new bare threads.