Replacing the string on a ceiling light? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Moobie · 05-01-2004, 03:26 PM

I've got one of those ceramic ceiling lights in my closet and the pull string got pulled out of it. It came all the way out so there's nothing sticking out past the ceramic part anymore. I've unscrewed the fixture from the ceiling, but that still doesn't give me access to where the little ball chain goes into. Does anyone have any ideas?

I live in an apartment so I'm not going to buy a new light fixture, but it's dark in my closet so I can't find anything.

Thanks

iamnormal · 05-01-2004, 09:04 PM

Replace the fixture. Should be only a couple bucks for one.
Here is an article on replaceing one.
http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m.../article.jhtml

Moobie · 05-01-2004, 09:59 PM

Yeah I was afraid of that. Thanks. Me and electricity don't mix, so I guess I'm gonna have to have the slum- I mean land lord do it.

This is why I love TFP, not everyone knows everything, but everyone knows something, and when you put it all together we can do anything.

Thanks iamnormal.

shakran · 05-01-2004, 10:42 PM

shut the breaker off. Unscrew the wirenut hooking the black wire to the light. Unscrew the wirenut hooking the white wire to the light. If the bare copper wire is screwed into the light, unscrew that.

Now screw the copper wire into the new light.

Screw the wirenuts back (you CANNOT wire this light backwards UNLESS it's one with an electrical outlet on the side - if not, it does not matter at all which wire goes to which wire as long as your bare copper wire is on the screw.)

Screw the light back into the box. This is a VERY easy repair.

kazoo · 05-02-2004, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by shakran
(you CANNOT wire this light backwards UNLESS it's one with an electrical outlet on the side - if not, it does not matter at all which wire goes to which wire as long as your bare copper wire is on the screw.)

Minor nitpick- it does matter. The hot wire must connect to the gold screw which goes to the center contact of the lamp base. The neutral must connect to the silver screw which goes to the threaded shell of the lamp base. Granted, a bulb doesn't care, but next thing you know, someone screws in an Edison base adaptor with two receptacles on the sides, and they now have reverse polarity, extension cords are run from them.... you can see where it might end.

05-01-2004, 03:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
Moobie Insane Location: baked beans	Replacing the string on a ceiling light? I've got one of those ceramic ceiling lights in my closet and the pull string got pulled out of it. It came all the way out so there's nothing sticking out past the ceramic part anymore. I've unscrewed the fixture from the ceiling, but that still doesn't give me access to where the little ball chain goes into. Does anyone have any ideas? I live in an apartment so I'm not going to buy a new light fixture, but it's dark in my closet so I can't find anything. Thanks __________________ Obscenity is the crutch of inarticulate motherfuckers. We like money. Give us your money you stupid consumer whore.

05-01-2004, 09:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
Moobie Insane Location: baked beans	Yeah I was afraid of that. Thanks. Me and electricity don't mix, so I guess I'm gonna have to have the slum- I mean land lord do it. This is why I love TFP, not everyone knows everything, but everyone knows something, and when you put it all together we can do anything. Thanks iamnormal. __________________ Obscenity is the crutch of inarticulate motherfuckers. We like money. Give us your money you stupid consumer whore.

05-01-2004, 09:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
iamnormal Addict Location: In the id	Replace the fixture. Should be only a couple bucks for one. Here is an article on replaceing one. http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m.../article.jhtml

05-01-2004, 10:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	shut the breaker off. Unscrew the wirenut hooking the black wire to the light. Unscrew the wirenut hooking the white wire to the light. If the bare copper wire is screwed into the light, unscrew that. Now screw the copper wire into the new light. Screw the wirenuts back (you CANNOT wire this light backwards UNLESS it's one with an electrical outlet on the side - if not, it does not matter at all which wire goes to which wire as long as your bare copper wire is on the screw.) Screw the light back into the box. This is a VERY easy repair.