How to Safely Replace a Ceiling Light | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House master electrician Heath Eastman clarifies the temperature rating system for ceiling lights and then installs one for a homeowner #ThisOldHouse #AskTOH SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse Time: 2-3 hours Cost: $200 Skill Level: Expert Tools List for Replacing a Ceiling Light: Screwdriver [https://amzn.to/2tKpFWn] Pliers [https://amzn.to/2Guemod] Shopping List: Temperature-Rated ceiling light [https://amzn.to/2TQwiRF] NM-B cable [https://amzn.to/2v9sxwf] Junction box [https://amzn.to/2Rm99oI] Wire nuts [https://amzn.to/2RF7464] Steps: 1. Heath starts by explaining why ceiling fixtures are temperature rated and what that means: a. Houses built before 1985 used wires that could withstand temperatures up to 60 degrees Celsius. b. Certain lightbulbs generate more heat than 60 degrees, so over time, those wires could fray and crack, causing an arc, which could create a fire. c. After 1985, they changed the code so that wires needed to be rated to withstand temperatures up to 90 degrees Celsius, which is common for most modern fixtures. d. To determine which type of wiring you have, look at the cable. i. Cloth wire is not rated for 90 degrees. ii. Plastic wire with the words “Type NM” printed on them are rated up to 60 degrees. iii. Plastic wire with the words “Type NM-B” printed on them are rated up to 90 degrees. 2. Shut the power off at the breaker. 3. Remove the old light fixture using a screwdriver. The wiring will need to be disconnected before pulling it from the ceiling. 4. Push the old wiring out through the box and into the ceiling. 5. Cut a section of the old wiring away from the fixture. 6. Wire the new NM-B cable to the old wiring inside of a junction box. 7. Fish the new cable through the electrical box and mount the electrical box to the ceiling. 8. Wire the new light to the new cable using a pair of pliers and wire nuts. 9. Mount the new light to the electrical box on the ceiling. 10. Turn the power back on. Resources: Heath installed the 12-inch Oil Rubbed Bronze 2-Light Ceiling Light, manufactured by Hinkley Lighting [https://amzn.to/2RmFoUH]. Expert assistance with this segment was provided by Eaton and Eastman Electric (https://ift.tt/33deNwD). About Ask This Old House TV: Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook. Follow This Old House and Ask This Old House: Facebook: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseFB Twitter: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseTwitter http://bit.ly/AskTOHTwitter Pinterest: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHousePinterest Instagram: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseIG Tumblr: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseTumblr Keywords: This Old House, Ask This Old House, DIY, Home Improvement, DIY Ideas, Renovation, Renovation Ideas, How To Fix, How To Install, How To Build, electrical, Heath Eastman, lighting, ceiling light Watch the full episode: https://ift.tt/2O27674 How to Safely Replace a Ceiling Light | Ask This Old House https://www.youtube.com/user/thisoldhouse/