What Are The 3 Wires Sticking Out Of A Ceiling Light Fixture?
OK, so you went to Home Depot and picked up a nice new ceiling light fixture. This could be a chandelier, a ceiling fan, a flush mount, a semi-flush mount, or even a sconce. You turned off the power (you did turn off the power, right?) and delicately removed your crummy old fixture. Let’s see here, there are now 3 wires coming from a box (some homes may only have 2 if your wiring is in metal conduit).
Let’s look at the green or bare copper wire first. That is your equipment ground. This wire assures you will not be shocked by a potentially live piece of equipment. You will need the proper tools and trade knowledge to be sure that the ground wire is properly installed as a part of your electrical system. Next, the black wire. Don’t be surprised if you don’t have a black wire, this may be red, or another color – as long as its not white, grey or green, it’s the power wire. The power wire is your ready source of electricity for the fixture. You must understand the power available on that wire circuit and it’s over-current protection capacity, as well as isolated as single circuit source of power. Finally, the white wire. This wire is your grounded conductor. Proper termination of this wire is essential to your home system. This balances the alternating electrical current used by the fixture and supplied by your home electrical service via the black wire.
Let’s cover a few basics about these wires. Let’s first make sure the equipment ground is properly installed. Follow the instructions provided with your new fixture which explains where to connect the equipment ground. Next, you attach the white wire to the corresponding nuetral on the new fixture. Finally connect the power wire to the red or black wire provided with the new fixture, and always be sure to properly use correctly sized wire nuts.
Please keep in mind that the 3 wires coming out of your ceiling have a source, and possibly a further destination if it’s a branch circuit. If you feel comfortable working with electricity, changing a light fixture is certainly a project a homeowner may accomplish. Please remember safety is more important than the cost of your fixture, your existing home electric, and any future demands you may put on your home electrical system. If you’re uncertain of any facet of the project, please don’t hesitate to contact a licensed and insured electrician for their expertise on the matter.
Being a Contractor in NH I would agree that changing a light fixture is a fairly simple thing for a home owner to do. But as shown in the picture above if you have a black, white, and red wire coming out of the box, be sure to take a picture or note what wires attach to what because this is three way switched fixture. All in all if you don’t have the experience you should just call an electrician
You are right that safety is more important than cost. I like your post and want to try but I think I cannot play with my life.
Funny thing…my wife just asked me the same question today and that’s how I found your blog.
Great info!
I’m confused! The picture says that the black wire could be red, as long as its not green or white…But there is a red wire! So which wire is it?? I think it should be safe as long as I turn the power off…
-Ken
I’v been wanting to change this one fixture for a long time. I think I’ll give it a try now. Thanks. Just gotta remember to turn the power first!
Rarely do i see only three wires sticking out. We live in a old house and the junction boxes are backed tight with wires. Its definitely not a do it yourself project
Well I know that some people should not do these types of things by themselves. But I am a firm believer in doing it yourself for anything that you need to do. All you need to do is follow the exact directions. With electricity you just need to use common sense like turn off the power and don’t stick the wires in a bowl of water.
Before doing this, make sure that the main switch is off. It is safer to work electrical stuffs when the main switch is on. Great blog. Cheers!
Safety is important when it comes to electricity. When you are handling it, you need to follow the instructions and steps on how to set up. If you don’t know what to do then don’t assume that you know it.
Really useful, I love DIY but I don’t have people to ask advice of so this sort of article is really handy for me. I’ve got a new light fitting to go up in the kitchen so may give it a go now. Cheers!
Thanks for providing these tips. I am not very talented in crafting but I try to do basic stuff like connecting new lamps by myself. Fortunately, my stepfather is great at such things.
Hey I like your post. Recently my uncle had worked on such kind of work in some multinational company. He is a very good engineer. Soon I am also going to renovate my home. And after knowing the importance of 3 wires I would like to stick it in my home.
It’s actually not funny but I’ve met heaps of technicians (including home renovators and plumbers) who are clueless when it comes to electricity basics.
Great post. Safety is very important. I also do most of the wiring in our home, if I can handle it. I always make sure that it’s safe before I touch those wires. I love the way you discuss this topic, you sound like an expert. Thanks.
I appreciate your post a lot because you taught me how to fix my ceiling properly. I am excited to apply it in our bathroom. Thank you for paying attention to simple little things that most men neglect makes a few men rich. More power in this post!
I can’t tell you how many people ask about this very thing every day at work. Although most jobs are for electricians, people should remember that electricity can be safe if you read up on what to do them wires!
hi trying to change ceiling fan realized when took off old fan that there are seven wires wrapped in cloth i could only identify one wire that had juice how do i identify other wires especially since their covered in cloth…
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