Repair A Chain Pull Light Fixture

Repair a Chain Pull Light Fixture

Repairing a chain pull light fixture can be intimidating if you have never worked with electricity. But there is nothing to fear with this do-it-yourself project if done correctly. As long as the power is cut to the fixture there is no danger. And instead of paying an electrician a tidy sum, spend a buck or two and about 30 minutes for a new pull chain.

Instructions

1. Switch off the circuit breaker or, if your have an older home, pull out the fuse that allows electricity to reach the light fixture. Remove the bulb and use a touch-type voltage tester to ensure power is cut. Insert the tester into socket and look for a light or beep from the tester.

2. Unscrew the mounting screws holding the fixture to the mounting bracket in the ceiling.

3. Locate the wires connecting the light fixture to the ceiling. Disconnect them by twisting off plastic wire nuts. Pull light fixture from ceiling.

4. Unscrew the brass end cap counterclockwise and slide it over the chain. You now have access to the wires connecting pull chain switch to light fixture. Disconnect wires and remove pull chain.

5. Take new pull chain and insert it into hole where old one was connected. Screw the brass end cap back on to the fixture so it holds the pull chain switch in place.

6. Connect one black wire from the new pull chain switch to a black wire from the fixture. Take the other wire from the pull chain switch and connect it to the black wire from the ceiling. Then connect white wire from the light fixture to the white wire from the ceiling. Secure all the connections with electrical tape.

7. Mount the fixture back into the ceiling bracket. Replace bulb. Turn circuit on or reinsert fuse and test the pull chain.

Tags: pull chain, light fixture, wire from, chain switch, pull chain switch