Replacing old, outdated, outdoor lighting fixtures can restore new light to a commercial property. Brighter lighting can improve your security efforts and more beautifully showcase your property to attract potential customers. Plus, if you are updating your property with more modern LED lighting fixtures, you could save substantially on your annual electric bill. To get started replacing your outdoor lighting fixtures easily and effortlessly, follow this step by step guide.
How to Replace Outdoor Lighting Fixtures
1. Shut Off Power - Remember to shut the power off to keep yourself safe while removing the current fixtures.
2. Locate any Unique Hardware - Check to see if your chosen lighting fixtures comes with unique hardware. Many fixtures utilize universal mounting bars.
3. Strip wiring if necessary - Examine the wiring of your new outdoor lighting fixture. It should have a stripped side that’s roughly a quarter to half inch long. If this is not the case, use a wire stripper to trim off a quarter to half inch of insulation from each wire.
4. Take off the old fixture - Most often, this can be done by removing a few small bolts and then re-attaching any wires belonging to the fixture afterward.
5. Replace each wire nut – Replace each nut individually as you start to remove each wire of the fixture.
6. Switch out the mounting hardware - If the old mounting hardware is different from the new set, switch the hardware out.
7. Level the hardware - As necessary, level the hardware and ensure all screws are tightened.
8. Check the length of mounting screws - Check to see if your mounting hardware has mounting bolts that are adjustable. If so, dry fit the lighting fixture to see that they are the appropriate length.
9. Ask for help - Grab some help from another member of your team if possible. Have your helper hold your new lighting fixture close to the outlet in such a way that you can then connect the new fixture wires to the outlet wires.
10. Attach wiring - Attach each wire to its corresponding color outlet and secure them with the wire nut, one set of wires at a time. The wire nut should be fastened onto the wires. Test this by gently tugging on each wire to ensure they are secured inside the wire nut.
11. Cover any bare wiring - If there are any bare spots on your black wire, cover the wire with electrical tape and store the wire bundles in your outlet box.
12. Double check screws - Ensure that all screws on the new lighting fixtures are tightly fastened.
13. Check that the lights work - Test that the lights work. Switch the power back on.
14. Caulk around the fixture - Depending on the type of lighting fixture you are installing, caulk the upper two-thirds of the fixture plate to the wall. Do not do this for the bottom third to allow for moisture drainage in the future.
Attract More Customers to Your Property and Increase Security with New Lighting
Whether you are redoing your parking lot lighting or architectural lighting, find everything you need to get the job done with attractive, cost-effective lighting fixtures from Superior Lighting. We have been longtime leaders in the industry since 1978. If you have any questions at all about any of our top quality lighting solutions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our knowledgeable, honest customer service team today at 1-800-545-7778 or via our online contact form.