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how do you hang fluorescent lights from the ceiling

by Libby Stiedemann Published 4 years ago Updated 2 years ago

How do you hang fluorescent lights from the ceiling?

  • Locate a position on the ceiling of a garage, shop or other area where you are installing the fluorescent light.
  • Determine if you can use ceiling joists for installing the screw-in hooks for mounting the fluorescent fixture.
  • Install a screw-in hook by turning it into the ceiling and joist or into the anchor.

Use a small-link chain to suspend the fixture from screw-in hooks or eyelets. Otherwise, hold the fixture against the ceiling in the designated mounting location. Drill your holes into the ceiling and the studs or, if using toggle bolts, just through the ceiling. Screw the fixture to the ceiling.

Full Answer

How to hang fluorescent light fixtures on ceiling?

How to Hang Fluorescent Light Fixtures 1 Finding Ceiling Studs. Whether you're installing flush mount LED shop lights or hanging fluorescent lights from chains, it's best to mount them to ceiling studs for the strongest connection. 2 Hanging Fluorescent Lights. ... 3 Connecting to a Power Source. ... 4 Installing Light Bulbs and Diffuser. ...

How do you install fluorescent lights in a garage ceiling?

Locate a position on the ceiling of a garage, shop or other area where you are installing the fluorescent light. Hold the fluorescent fixture up to the ceiling and mark points on the ceiling for installing hooks. Mark the installation points on the ceiling to match the points where chains will connect to the fixture.

How far down do you hang ceiling lights from the ceiling?

Hang four ceiling wires down from the ceiling structure -- one at each corner of where the light fixture will sit. The wires should extend about 6 inches below the bottom of the ceiling grid.

How do you hook up a canopy light to a ceiling?

Complete the hook-up by looping the ground wire clockwise around the ground screw on the crossbar, tightening the screw, and connecting the end of the wire to the ground wire from the light fixture. Fold the conductors into the ceiling box and slide the canopy over the protruding threaded support.

How are fluorescent lights hung?

Most fluorescent lights simply snap into place with a gentle push on either end. According to Exceptional Electric, the diffuser screen may be held on with clips, slide on from the side or hang from a lip on either side of the hanging fluorescent light fixture. Some may also be attached with small screws.

Can fluorescent lights be hung vertically?

Fluorescent bulbs are used vertically all the time in lighted signs and the like. As long as you have decent clearance (ie: nobody will hit their head on it, or no moving equipment will hit it) then it should be fine.

How do you fit fluorescent lights?

0:010:47How to replace a fluorescent tube light - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd get your new one to fix it in place put the short metal prongs in the holes. And twist the boltMoreAnd get your new one to fix it in place put the short metal prongs in the holes. And twist the bolt gently through 90 degrees. Now put the casing back on.

How do you install a fluorescent light holder?

1:432:36Replacing a Tombstone - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can see right here will slide in to these into the bracket so ball boom they kind of clip it aMoreYou can see right here will slide in to these into the bracket so ball boom they kind of clip it a little bit this one came on down a little bit slide back in flip it in that is pretty much it.

Is it worth replacing fluorescent tubes with LED?

You could save a lot of money on energy by replacing your fluorescent bulbs with LEDs. They keep cooling costs down - You also may be able to trim down your cooling expenses as well. Fluorescent lights don't generally produce a lot of heat, at least not as much as HID lamps, but they do burn hotter than LEDs.

Can you replace fluorescent tubes with LED tubes?

Yes, you can replace fluorescent tubes with LED tubes or LED-integrated fixtures. If you just want to replace the bulbs, you can use plug-and-play, direct-wire, or hybrid LED tubes. Plug-and-play tubes are the easiest to install as they do not require any rewiring to the fixture.

How do you install a hanging light fixture?

2:466:46How To Install A Hanging Light - Step By Step Guide - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSimply unscrew the nuts from the bolts. And remove the plate. Notice all these holes throughout theMoreSimply unscrew the nuts from the bolts. And remove the plate. Notice all these holes throughout the base. They. Allow you to pivot or rotate the light whichever way it needs to face.

Can you change a fluorescent light fixture to a regular light fixture?

Sometimes, you want a light fixture with a little more pizzazz, or one that produces light that's a little warmer than the cold, bright light that's so common with fluorescent fixtures. Swapping out a fluorescent fixture with a regular, incandescent model is easy to do.

How do you hang a light fixture?

0:483:57How To Install a Light Fixture - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo if you're working by yourself you want to be able to support it so you're gonna take your groundMoreSo if you're working by yourself you want to be able to support it so you're gonna take your ground wire which is always the copper bare wire.

Step 1

Determine how far down you want your light fixture to hang and buy pieces of jack chain of that length. They can cut the chain to length for you at the hardware store.

Step 2

Measure the distance between the holes on the top of your fluorescent fixture, get on your ladder, mark out that same distance with two dots on the ceiling where you'd like to hang the chain.

Step 5

Insert the S-hooks into the holes in the light fixture. The use the chains to lift the light fixture into place and hook the chains onto the eye-hooks.

What are the different shapes of fluorescent lights?

Most warehouse or industrial applications use large rectangles, while residential fixture shapes include rectangular, square and round in a variety of sizes.

Can I mount a light fixture flush with the ceiling?

If your fixture features access covers where the screws pass through, open these now. If your fixture is designated as hanging only, do not mount it flush with the ceiling.

Can fluorescent light fixtures be mounted into the ceiling?

Fluorescent light fixtures tend to be rather heavy; if you cannot locate a stud, the fixture should be mounted into the ceiling using toggle bolts. Do not use wall anchors, as they are intended for horizontal applications and are likely to pull out of the ceiling if used.

How do you attach a fluorescent light to a chain?

If the fluorescent light fixture hangs from a chain, you can drill into the ceiling studs instead of screws. If you want to turn the eyelet clockwise, pass a screwdriver through the eye, and use the drill attachment to start the eyelet.

How do you suspend a fluorescent light fixture?

The fixture can be suspended from the hooks with a small link chain. The fixture should be held against the ceiling. Just through the ceiling is where you can drill your holes if you use a toggle bolt. The fixture needs to be screwed up.

Can you hang fluorescent lights vertically?

The bulbs are used in lighted signs all the time. It shouldn’t be a problem if you have good clearance and nobody will hit their head on it.

How do you secure a hanging light fixture?

If you have to, remove the packaging and put the bulb in the sockets. Attach the lamp shade to the bulb and connect it to the cord. You can hang the cord from the hook or anchor if you want the lamp to sit at a certain height. Plug the light in, then hide the cords if you want to.

How do I install a light fixture on a ceiling?

Start at one corner of the light fixture and bend that corresponding corner's ceiling wire up and through the eyelet on the light fixture. Pull tight and twist the wire around itself. Repeat on the other three corners. The light fixture should be entirely supported by the ceiling wires and will barely rest on the ceiling grid.

How far down should I hang a light fixture?

The wires should extend about 6 inches below the bottom of the ceiling grid.

How do I tilt a light fixture?

Tilt the light fixture at a slight angle, lift it up through the ceiling grid and slowly lower it into the grid. Maintain slight pressure on the bottom of the light so the ceiling grid does not bear its full weight.

How to connect black wires to ground wires?

Twist the black wires together, the white wires together and the ground wires together. Secure each grouping of wires with a wire nut. Screw the cover back on to the electrical box.

Should I install light fixtures before tiling the ceiling?

Installing the light fixtures before tiling the ceiling is much easier. This will give you many access points to work above the ceiling on the light fixtures and their associated wiring.

Can you install lighting in a suspended ceiling?

Installing lighting into a suspended ceiling is simple if you use specialized 2-by-4-foot fixtures. These fixtures take the place of a ceiling tile, and by exactly matching the grid, they don't require any modifications to the grid or ceiling tiles. Since the fixtures weigh considerably more than does a standard ceiling tile, they must be self-supported to the structure above to prevent damage to the ceiling grid or falling out of the ceiling and causing injury.

How many lbs can a ceiling box hold?

Check the label to make sure the box is designed to support more than 35 lbs. Most ceiling boxes are large enough: The NEC dictates how many wires and clamps you can safely put in an electrical box. Typical 1-1/2 to 2-in. deep octagonal or round ceiling boxes are quite large and overcrowding is rarely a problem.

What is the unmarked wire on a light fixture?

The unmarked wire is the hot wire. Connect it to the colored (usually black or red) hot wire in the box. Complete the hook-up by looping the ground wire clockwise around the ground screw on the crossbar, tightening the screw, and connecting the end of the wire to the ground wire from the light fixture.

How to test a wire to make sure it is off?

Test the wires to make sure the power is off. Move the tip of a non-contact voltage detector near each wire to make sure the power to all wires in the box is turned off (make sure the light switch is turned on). If the tester lights, switch off circuit breakers or loosen fuses one at a time until the tester light goes off.

How to connect a wire to a metal box?

Attach a ground wire to the metal box if it's not already present (turn power off first). Wrap the end of a 6-in. length of bare copper wire around a No. 10-32 ground screw and drive it into the threaded hole in the bottom of the box.

Do you need to support an electrical box before hanging a light fixture?

If your light fixture weighs more than 50 lbs., it has to be supported independent of the electrical box.

Can you wire light fixtures in a house before 1985?

It's hard to believe, but many of the light fixtures now sold at home centers and lighting showrooms can't be safely installed in most houses wired before 1985. These fixtures are clearly labeled with a warning that reads "For supply connections, use wire rated for at least 90 degrees C.".

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