How to Hang a Light Fixture When Wires Are Not Color Coded

1. Identify the wires:

- Usually in most US homes, the white wire is the neutral, the black or red wire is the hot, and the bare copper or green wire is the ground wire. But for safety, avoid making assumptions and simply turn off the power to the circuit you'll be working on before you start.

- First things first, flip off the power for the light fixture you'll be working on. There are few things as jarring as getting a jolt of electricity while you're in the middle of a DIY project!

2. Use a voltage tester:

- With your circuit breaker off, use a voltage tester to confirm which wires are hot, neutral, and ground. Be sure to keep the voltage tester away from direct sunlight, as this could lead to inaccurate readings.

- Use a non-contact voltage tester by holding the tip near the end of each wire. If it lights up, that wire is hot.

- For older homes with knob-and-tube wiring, test both ends of each wire, as they may not be consistently colored.

3. Check for a ground wire:

- Depending on the age of your home, there might not be a ground wire. If you find 2 wires but you don't see a bare copper or green wire, that means your fixture doesn't have a ground.

- If you don't have a ground wire, don't worry—most light fixtures can be installed safely without one. Just be sure to use a fixture with a grounded plug

4. Strip the ends of the wires:

- Use a wire stripper to remove about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) of insulation from the end of each wire, exposing the copper wire. Twist the exposed copper wire into a clockwise spiral.

5. Prepare your fixture:

- Make sure the power is turned off. Take your fixture out of its box and lay out all the installation hardware including canopy(the round cover that hides where wires connect), fixture screws and possibly decorative pieces.

6. Match the fixture wires to the house wires:

- Match the white fixture wire to the white house wire, wrapping the fixture wire clockwise around the white house wire. Twist both wires in the same direction so they don't come loose.

- Match the black fixture wire to the black or red house wire, again twisting the wires together clockwise. Use the same color caps included in your kit to cover both wire connections

7. Twist and cap ground wires together:

- If you have ground wires, twist them together and attach the ground wire cap. If your fixture doesn't have a ground wire, you don't need to attach the ground cap.

8. Tuck the wires:

- Push the wires carefully back into the junction box, leaving only about 6 inches (15 cm) of wire visible.

9. Attach the canopy:

- Slide the canopy over the wires and screws, and screw the canopy over the junction box.

10. Test the fixture:

- Turn on the power and the light to ensure that the fixture is working properly.

Always take safety precautions when working with electrical wiring. If you're uncertain about anything, it's best to hire a qualified electrician to help you.