How to Install a Flood Light in a Basement

Select places to install your flood light and the switch. Position the flood light on the ceiling so that it illuminates the area without shining directly into your eyes. If you have a finished basement, use the stud finder to mark the position of the studs closest to the spots you chose for the light switch and fixture.

Locate a power junction box in your basement with enough capacity to support the flood light without overloading the circuit it is on. Compare the power requirements of the devices already on the circuit you chose with the capacity of the breaker it is using. If the breaker will use more than 80 percent of its rated load after the flood light is installed, you will need to use a different circuit or run a power line directly from your breaker box.

Disconnect the power to your basement at the circuit breaker box, and run a power line from the nearest junction box to the spot where you want to install the switch for your light.

Place the open end of the switch box against the spot where you intend to install the switch, and mark the drywall around it. Punch out the pre-marked holes in the switch box, and cut out the space you marked on the wall. Pull the wiring into the box, and install the box in the space behind it. Wire the switch to the power line according to the manufacturer's instructions for the switch.

Connect a second power line to the switch, and run it to the spot where you will mount your flood light. Mount the flood light against the side of the rafter nearest the spot you chose using the pre-drilled holes in the flood-light mounting box.

Punch out the knockout slots in the flood light box. Remove the insulation from the end of the wires coming out of the flood-light fixture. Connect the wires of the flood-light fixture according to the manufacturer's instructions using wire nuts. Connect the fixture's wiring with the power line using another wire nut, and wrap the wire nuts with electrical tape.