Electrical Archives - Page 4 of 11

Convert a Recessed Light to Accept a Hardwire Fixture

Things are winding up at my client’s home. We’ve been getting her 3000 sq. ft. home ready to sell. Most of the changes we’ve made have been simple cosmetic changes. A few outdated light fixtures have been updated. In the kitchen, I wanted to add a stylish pendant light over the kitchen sink.

But, I ran into a slight problem when I realized that it was actually a recessed light fixture and I bought a hard-wired pendant.

Without giving up the style of the cool pendant light, I found a way to Convert a Recessed Light to Accept a Hardwire Fixture. I also solved the issue of the light fixture not being centered over the sink. This can happen if you have a joist in your way. But, it’s an easy fix.

Okay, ready to get started? Here’s is a quick tutorial for How to Convert a Recessed Light to Accept a Hardwire Fixture and the slick little gadget I used to do it.

Materials:
(contains affiliate links)

Instructions:

Unscrew your bulb from the recessed can. (This bulb was so big, I didn’t realize it was actually a light bulb in a recessed fixture. I could not for the life of me figure out how to remove the globe to start removing the fixture. Finally I turned it and voila, I realized it was just a large light bulb. Definitely a head smack moment and a good laugh.)

You will need this nifty recessed light converter.

Alternatively, you can find lots of all-in-one converter and pendant fixtures like I used here.

Screw the converter into the socket in your recessed fixture.

The converter should sit snuggly into the socket.

Fit the provided brace into the recessed can with the wings snug against the outside of the can.

When the brace is at its widest position, turn the set screw to secure the brace in position.

Use provided sheet metal screws to tap into the recessed can on both sides of the brace.

The brace should be strong enough to hold your pendant light (within reason.)

Attach the mounting bracket to the brace with the provided screws.

Loosen the screw on the green ground wire and slip the clip into one of the slots on the recessed can. Tighten the ground screw.

Slip the metal shield over the mounting bracket and rotate 90 degrees.

Time to add that hook if you need to center your pendant light. Either screw the hook into a joist, or use the anchor.

Slip the ceiling medallion over the metal shield. Attach your new light fixture’s mounting bracket to the recessed converter bracket.

Install your hard-wired pendant light per the manufacturer’s instructions (or follow this tutorial to install a hard-wired pendant light).

Thread your pendant wire through the hook.

Enjoy your new centered and updated pendant light!

Honest, this is the same kitchen! We had the cabinets painted to give the kitchen a brighter and updated feel.

I can’t wait to show you the rest of the changes we’ve completed in the house. Stay tuned!

April 4, 2016/13 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

Electrical, lamp, light fixture

DIY Twinkling Pendant Light + Lighting Challenge Link Up

DIY Twinkling Light Pendant |Pretty Handy Girl

Happy Leap Day!

How was your weekend? I had so much fun making this DIY Twinkling Pendant Light. This idea has been floating in my head for a while. It’s a relatively easy light to make. You need very few supplies. I used a waste paper basket from Lowe’s that I bought a year ago. I’m not sure if the same can is available, but you can buy this similar one on Amazon (affiliate link).

You’ll also want to check out my fellow creative DIYers and the amazing light fixtures they made:
The House of Wood | Sawdust 2 Stitches | My Love 2 Create | Kim Six Fix | The Ugly Duckling House

The best part about my project, is that I didn’t need to do any wiring. I used a recessed can converter kit from Worth Home Products. I used a similar one a few years ago to convert a recessed can light to hang this sphere light in our art & craft room. I’m a huge fan of the convenience of this product.

Want to make your own DIY Twinkling Pendant Light? Grab a few supplies and let’s get started.

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Waste paper basket
Drill
1.5″ spade drill bit
1/8″ drill bit
Instant Pendant Converter Kit
Painter’s tape
Gold spraypaint
Gloves
Newspapers
Leather gloves
Ruler
Marker or pencil
Metal file

Instructions:

Clean your waste paper basket and dry.

Tape painter’s tape around the basket bin. Read more

February 29, 2016/11 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

Electrical, light fixture

DIY Lighting Challenge

I have a love affair with lighting. Lights are akin to your home’s jewelry. But, that “jewelry” can be expensive unless you DIY your own light fixtures. How about you? Do you like to make your own light fixtures or lamps?

If you do too, I’m thrilled to be hosting a DIY Lighting Challenge in February. A few other blogger friends and I have been challenging each other once a month to create according to a theme. This was my month, so I’m throwing down the glowing gauntlet and challenging you to make your own light fixture or lamp.

If you want to join in the fun, take the rest of the month to create your own DIY Light. You have until Monday, February 29th. On that day, I’ll share my DIY Light project with you and you can share your’s with me in a InLinkz link up.

Ready? Set! Go!

Need some inspiration? I created an entire Pinterest board of DIY Lighting Ideas. Use the hashtag #DIYLightingChallenge if you want to post some teasers.

Or you can check out some of my tutorials: Read more

February 5, 2016/4 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

Electrical

How to Add a Switch to a Light Fixture

Have you ever wanted to replace a pull chain light with a standard light fixture and a switch? If so, I have a tutorial for you on How to Add a Switch for a Light Fixture!

A while ago my sons and I watched the movie, A Series of Unfortunate Events. When the movie was over my oldest son said he loved the library scene in the movie.

I’m not surprised. Both our boys are voracious readers and have amassed quite the collection of books. Handy Boy #1 lamented the fact that we didn’t have a library and asked if I could build one in our home. I escaped with a non-committal answer.

A few weeks passed and that library seed in my head had begun to plant itself firmly in my mind. I began to form a plan about where I could add a library in our home. It became clear when I opened the toy closet in the bonus room and found myself getting angry that it was (once again) a mess. As I began clearing a path on the floor of the closet, it occurred to me that 90% of the toys in the closet were for young children and my boys had grown beyond them. I spent the afternoon clearing out the closet…

…and soon it looked like this:

When, I clean, I really clean! Ha. I should explain that the room used to have paneling and scraps of carpeting. But, this closet was always freezing in the winter and hot in the summer. I was determined to get to the source of the lack of climate control. After adding more insulation and filling all the cracks and voids with Great Stuff, I framed out a second wall. Let me just say that some jack ass didn’t bury 12 wires in the wall, but instead wrapped them around the studs. Can you say, “NOT TO CODE!” Instead of hiring an electrician to re-run all those wires, I came up with the ingenious idea to add a second wall to encase the wiring mess. Then I moved on to the lighting situation.

The light in the closet was a pull chain. If you have children, you know that nothing is more irresistible than a dangling rope that turns a light on and off and on and off and on…until the chain breaks. I decided to add a switch to the light fixture. While I was at it, I also added a new LED light fixture that wouldn’t create heat or add to our energy bill if it was left on.

Materials:
(contains affiliate links)

14/2 Romex wiring (but, check your home to make sure you use the same wiring)
Wire strippers
Flat head screwdriver
Philips head screwdriver
Hammer
Wire nuts
Electrical staples
Single outlet box (new work if you have the walls open. Old work for slipping inside sheetrock.)
Voltage tester
Needle-nosed pliers
Single pole switch
LED Light fixture

Before we begin, I want to show you the wiring configuration we have to start:

The green line represents the wiring coming from the home circuit panel. The blue line shows the power continuing from the outlet to the light with a pull chain. (If you have an eagle eye you’ll notice a third wire in the outlet box below. The other wire goes to another outlet.)

This next diagram shows the configuration we need to add a switch: Read more

February 1, 2016/8 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

Electrical

How to Install a Chandelier

How to Install a New Chandelier | Pretty Handy Girl

Do you love all the light fixtures in your home? If not, do you wish you knew How to Install a Chandelier, so you don’t have to hire an electrician to do it? Today your wishes will be answered!

You know that moment when you see the perfect light fixture and you know you HAVE to have it in your home or you won’t be able to live another day? Okay, well maybe not the “live another day” part. But, you do know how it feels to fall head over heels in love with a light fixture. For me that light fixture was Magnolia Market’s chandelier. I wanted it, but the price tag was more than I wanted to pay. One day I got an email from Joanna (yes, THE Joanna Gaines from HGTVs Fixer Upper) letting me know that her store was having a lighting sale. I could not click on the link fast enough. Within a few days my lovely new chandelier arrived.

It was time to say goodbye to our old chandelier…