What you're actually replacing

A pull chain light fixture is the entire assembly—the socket, the chain, the canopy that mounts to the ceiling, and the wiring that connects it to your home's electrical system. When you replace one, you're removing all of it and installing a new unit in its place. The good news is that most fixtures use the same standard mounting bracket, so the new one will fit into the existing hole in your ceiling.

Before you start, turn off the power at your breaker box. Find the breaker that controls that light, switch it off, and test the light to confirm it's dead. If you're not sure which breaker it is, turn off the main breaker instead—it's slower but safer.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn off power at the breaker box and test the light before touching anything inside the fixture.
  • The old fixture is held up by a mounting bracket bolted to an electrical box in the ceiling; you'll unbolt it, disconnect the wires, and remove the whole assembly.
  • The new fixture connects to the same wires using wire nuts, which are small plastic caps that twist onto twisted wire ends to hold them together.
  • If the wires in the ceiling are damaged, cracked, or discolored, or if you're uncomfortable working with electricity, call a licensed electrician.

Tools and materials you'll need

Gather these before you start: a screwdriver (usually Phillips head, sometimes flathead—check your fixture), a wrench or socket set to fit the mounting bolts, wire strippers, and wire nuts (these usually come with the new fixture, but buy extras). You'll also want a flashlight or headlamp, because the ceiling is dark, and a ladder that reaches comfortably.

The new fixture itself should come with mounting hardware and wire nuts. Read the instructions that come in the box—different manufacturers sometimes use slightly different setups, and the instructions will show you exactly what you have.

Removing the old fixture

Climb the ladder and look at the fixture. You'll see a canopy (the decorative ring that sits against the ceiling) held up by a mounting bracket bolted to an electrical box inside the ceiling. Unscrew or unbolt the canopy to lower it and expose the bracket. Some canopies screw on; others slide down. The instructions for your new fixture will tell you what type you're dealing with.

Once the canopy is down, you'll see the wires. There are usually three: a black wire (hot), a white wire (neutral), and a bare copper or green wire (ground). They're connected to the wires coming from the ceiling using wire nuts—those small plastic caps twisted onto the wire ends. Untwist each wire nut by turning it counterclockwise, then gently pull the wires apart. If the wires are stiff or the nuts won't budge, wiggle gently; don't yank.

Now unbolt the mounting bracket from the electrical box. Usually there are two bolts. Once they're out, the entire old fixture comes down. Set it aside.

Checking the wires before you install the new fixture

Look at the wires sticking out of the ceiling. They should be clean, with no cracks, burns, or discoloration in the insulation. If the insulation is damaged, cracked, or blackened, stop and call a licensed electrician—damaged wires are a fire hazard and need professional repair.

If the wires look good, use wire strippers to remove about half an inch of insulation from the end of each wire. The stripped copper should be shiny and clean. If it's corroded or dull, gently scrape it with the edge of the wire stripper until it shines.

Installing the new fixture

Bolt the new mounting bracket to the electrical box using the bolts that came with your fixture. Make sure it's tight and level—a crooked bracket will make the whole fixture hang at an angle.

Now connect the wires. Hold the black wire from the ceiling and the black wire from the fixture together, twist them clockwise until they're wrapped around each other, then screw a wire nut onto the twisted ends. Turn the nut clockwise until it's snug—tight enough that you can't pull the wires apart by hand, but not so tight that you're straining. Repeat this for the white wires and the ground wires (copper or green).

Gently push the connected wires back into the electrical box. They should fold up neatly without kinking. Slide the canopy up over the mounting bracket and screw or bolt it in place according to your fixture's instructions. Screw in the light bulb (check the wattage rating on the fixture—don't exceed it), then go back to the breaker box and turn the power back on. Flip the switch or pull the chain. If the light comes on, you're done.

What to do if something goes wrong

If the light doesn't come on, turn the power back off, go back up the ladder, and check your wire connections. Make sure each wire nut is tight and that the wires inside are actually twisted together—sometimes they slip apart. If a wire nut is loose, unscrew it, re-twist the wires, and screw the nut back on.

If you see sparks, smell burning plastic, or feel heat coming from the fixture, turn off the power when ready and call a licensed electrician. Do not try to fix it yourself. If the wires in the ceiling are damaged, if you're uncomfortable working with electricity, or if the fixture still doesn't work after you've checked the connections, call an electrician. This is not a job to guess your way through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to replace a light fixture?

Most jurisdictions do not require a permit for replacing an existing fixture with a new one of the same type. However, some areas do, and some homeowner's insurance policies require it. Call your local building department or check their website to be sure. When in doubt, ask—the call takes five minutes.

What if the wires in the ceiling don't match the wires on the new fixture?

Standard fixtures have black (hot), white (neutral), and copper or green (ground). If your ceiling wires don't match this pattern, or if you see wires you don't recognize, stop and call a licensed electrician. Mismatched wiring usually means the circuit was installed differently than standard, and connecting it wrong can cause a fire.

Can I use the old fixture's chain on the new fixture?

No. The chain is part of the old fixture and should be removed with it. The new fixture comes with its own chain sized and rated for that specific fixture. Using an old chain can cause the fixture to hang unevenly or fail.

How tight should the wire nuts be?

Tight enough that you cannot pull the wires apart by hand, but not so tight that you're straining or the nut cracks. If you over-tighten, the nut can crack and the connection will fail. If you under-tighten, the wires can slip and cause arcing or a fire. Hand-tight is usually right.

What if I'm not comfortable working with electricity?

Call a licensed electrician. The job usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, and the cost is worth the safety and peace of mind. Electrical work done wrong can cause fires or electrocution. There is no shame in hiring a professional for this.