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for USA, Canada and other countries running a 60 Hz supply service.

Always ask your local town's Building Standards office if a permit is required for this kind of work.

First thing to check carefully is this: do the wires already going to the light switch include a ground wire, and, if so, is it actually grounded?

If the answer is no then you can wire the switch as described in the manufacturer's instructions and just omit the ground wire step. This does not make the light switch any less safe than it was but it is not the preferred option. It can sometimes be done legally under the National Electrical Code (NEC) when using valid exceptions and/or any subsequent local jurisdictional approval.

If the answer is no and you want to add the ground, that is the preferred method of repair. You will need to pull new set of wires including a ground. If this is a single household fixture on a 15 amp breaker and you are replacing it with a 15/20 amp switch, use 14/2 romex and you should be good. If not get the advice of an electrician to help you.

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As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.

Before you do any work yourself,

on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,

always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.

IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

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Trying to install an IKEA light The light has black white and 2 yellow and green striped wires Ceiling box has 2 black 2 red and white wire Room has 2 switches What should connect to what?

Connect the black wire from the ceiling box to the black wire on the light. Connect the white wire from the ceiling box to the white wire on the light. The yellow and green striped wires from the light are likely the ground wires, secure these to the green or bare copper wire in the ceiling box. Cap off or tape the red wires from the ceiling box, as they are likely for a separate function and are not needed for the light fixture.


I see only a red and a green wire coming out from ceiling box. What are they and how do you connect them to a ceiling light?

The red and green wires are likely the live and ground wires, respectively. To connect them to a ceiling light, connect the green wire to the ground screw on the light fixture and connect the red wire to the live wire on the fixture. Make sure to turn off the power before working on the wiring to avoid any accidents.


I am trying to put up a light fixture but it has three wires a white one a black one and a Coppertone where does the coopertoned wire go?

The bare copper wire is a ground wire. if your old electrical system only has black and white, then you don't have a ground wire to hook the new fixture's ground to. Safest bet is to run a ground wire to that junction box (or hire an electrician to do that). If the box in the ceiling (I'm assuming its a ceiling fixture) is metal, the home's electrical system ground wire may be attached to the metal box itself. If that's the case, you simply need to attach your new fixture's ground wire (the bare copper one) to the metal box. If in doubt -- have an electrician look at it.


What to do if There is no ground wire in the ceiling box but the new fan has one?

If the wiring system in your house is that old, then there is nothing that you can do that is not going to cost you more money than what you paid for the fan. Just wrap the wire up and push it to the back of the ceiling box and enjoy your new fan.


I am installing a kitchen light fixture in the ceiling. While pulling down the old fixture the green ground wire broke. The new Fixture has a green ground wire. Where do I ground it to now?

The fixture box should have a ground screw on the bottom of the box. Sometimes you have to move other wires out of the way to see it. Just reconnect the fixture ground wire to this screw.

Related Questions

Trying to install an IKEA light The light has black white and 2 yellow and green striped wires Ceiling box has 2 black 2 red and white wire Room has 2 switches What should connect to what?

Connect the black wire from the ceiling box to the black wire on the light. Connect the white wire from the ceiling box to the white wire on the light. The yellow and green striped wires from the light are likely the ground wires, secure these to the green or bare copper wire in the ceiling box. Cap off or tape the red wires from the ceiling box, as they are likely for a separate function and are not needed for the light fixture.


How can I properly install a 3 wire light fixture in my home?

To properly install a 3-wire light fixture in your home, follow these steps: Turn off the power to the circuit at the breaker box. Remove the old light fixture and disconnect the wires. Connect the black wire from the fixture to the black (hot) wire in the ceiling box. Connect the white wire from the fixture to the white (neutral) wire in the ceiling box. Connect the green or bare copper wire from the fixture to the ground wire in the ceiling box. Secure the wires with wire nuts and mount the fixture to the ceiling. Turn the power back on and test the light to ensure it is working properly.


I see only a red and a green wire coming out from ceiling box. What are they and how do you connect them to a ceiling light?

The red and green wires are likely the live and ground wires, respectively. To connect them to a ceiling light, connect the green wire to the ground screw on the light fixture and connect the red wire to the live wire on the fixture. Make sure to turn off the power before working on the wiring to avoid any accidents.


Do you need 3-wire romex to feed bedroom ceiling box by electrical code?

No, you can feed it with a 2 wire Romex + ground. It depends on what is mounted on the ceiling. If it is just a light all you need is 2 wire + ground Romex. However if it is a fan/light and you want to control each one independant of the other you will need to use 3 wire Romex + ground. This is of course if you have 2 seperate switches. You would then connect the red wire to the blue light wire and the black wire to the black fan wire. If you use 2 wire Romex just connect the blue and black fan/light wire to the black wire in the ceiling box.


I am trying to put up a light fixture but it has three wires a white one a black one and a Coppertone where does the coopertoned wire go?

The bare copper wire is a ground wire. if your old electrical system only has black and white, then you don't have a ground wire to hook the new fixture's ground to. Safest bet is to run a ground wire to that junction box (or hire an electrician to do that). If the box in the ceiling (I'm assuming its a ceiling fixture) is metal, the home's electrical system ground wire may be attached to the metal box itself. If that's the case, you simply need to attach your new fixture's ground wire (the bare copper one) to the metal box. If in doubt -- have an electrician look at it.


How do you install a new pull chain ceiling light?

Just remove the old light and install the new pull chain light connecting the black wire to the copper screw and the white wire to the silver screw. There is no connection for the ground wire. Just shove it back into the ceiling box.


How do I properly wire a ceiling light fixture?

To properly wire a ceiling light fixture, first turn off the power at the circuit breaker. Remove the old fixture, connect the fixture wires to the corresponding wires in the ceiling box (usually black to black, white to white, and green or bare to ground), and secure the connections with wire nuts. Finally, attach the fixture to the ceiling box and turn the power back on to test the light.


Is is ok if the lighting fixture ground wire is wrapped around the bottom of the chain and the ground wire from the light box is connected to the ground screw on the mounting crossbar?

If you are referring to a porcelain or plastic ceiling light fixture most do not have a place to connect the ground wire. You cannot ground these type fixtures. Just connect the ground wire to the mounting crossbar and forget about connecting it to the light itself. It is on the ceiling and will never be touched unless you change the bulb and then you will have the switch in the off position. It is perfectly safe.


How can I wire a ceiling fan with a light switch using a diagram?

To wire a ceiling fan with a light switch, follow these steps: Turn off the power to the circuit at the breaker box. Install the ceiling fan bracket to the ceiling. Connect the fan wires to the corresponding wires in the ceiling box (usually black to black, white to white, and green to ground). Connect the light kit wires to the corresponding wires in the ceiling box (usually blue to black and white to white). Install the fan blades and light kit. Install the light switch and connect the wires (usually black to black, white to white, and ground to ground). Turn the power back on and test the fan and light switch. For a visual guide, refer to the diagram below: Diagram of ceiling fan wiring with light switch


Where do you hook the ground wire on a porcelain light fixture on a metal box?

Connect the ground wire to the metal box.


Where to buy a hard wire ceiling fixture without a light?

Just install a cover on the ceiling box.


Do you need to cut extra wire for ceiling light or just tuck the extra up?

You will want to leave about 8" of wire sticking out of the box. After connecting the light just push the extra back into the ceiling box.