How to Install a Porch Ceiling Light

Written by Doityourself Staff
on Mar 14, 2021

Installing a porch ceiling light is work that can be carried out at home by anyone and requires little to no experience in electrical wiring. You simply have to follow a few steps concerning safety and some guidelines outlined in an electrical installation manual. From time to time, there is a need to take out lights that are no longer working or those that are damaged. Sometimes, you may need to replace an old light with a new light for decorative or functional purposes. Some lights look good on the porch ceiling and some lights are more efficient and powerful than others. A porch ceiling light should be bright enough to illuminate the area at night and should also be protected against harsh weather conditions such as rainy storms and snow. A porch ceiling light will allow you to see what is happening outside during the night. When the porch is illuminated, visitors can easily see the way to the entrance door at night. Installing a porch ceiling light should not take more than 20 minutes. Here is how to install a porch ceiling light on your own.

Tools and Materials Needed:

Flat-head screwdriver
Porch ceiling lights
Wire nuts

Step 1 - Switch off Electric Power to the Lights

Switch off the electrical power to porch light

Step 2 - Remove Globes and Bulbs from the Fixture

Take out the porch lighting fixture. Depending on the type of lighting fixture, you may need to take out the individual bulbs or simply remove the lighting unit

Step 3 - Locate the Screws

Look for screws that attach the base of the fixture to the porch ceiling. Hold the base of the fixture with one hand and use your other hand to take out the screws.

Step 4 - Remove and Lower the Fixture from Ceiling

Remove the fixture and put it down. Take out the wire nuts. These nuts connect a pair of black and white wires to the copper wires inside the fixtures.

Step 5 - Install Porch Ceiling Light

Install the new porch ceiling light. Hold the light 4 inches vertically beneath the terminal box and with your free hand, connect the fixture black wire to the terminal box black wire. Twist both wires together.

Step 6 - Lock the Pair of Wires

Insert a wire nut over the 2 wires and twist it to the maximum. This will lock the 2 wires in place.

Step 7 - Join the White Wires

To join the 2 white wires to the 2 copper wires, repeat Step 1 and 2.

Step 8 - Push the Wires into the Terminal Box

Pull the wires (including the wire nuts) into the terminal box of the porch ceiling.

Step 9 - Install the New Light

Fit the light fixture onto the terminal box screws and tighten the nuts.

Step 10 - Install Bulb or Globes

Install the bulbs or globes by putting them in position and securing them around the light socket using screws

Step 11 - Activate Circuit Breaker

Activate the circuit breaker.