There are times when you will need to change a light fitting such as when the old one is faulty. This can be a simple task if you know what the correct steps to take are. It is important that you are safe when you change a light fitting.

Turn Off The Power

For safety reasons, the first step in changing a light fitting is to turn off the power at the mains. Just turning off the light switch is not enough as the wires in the fitting will still have access to power. It is also important that you advise everyone in your home that you will be working on the light fittings and that they should not turn the power back on.

Remove The Light Cover

Once the power is off, you need to remove the light bulb from the current fitting. You should then carefully remove the fitting cover to expose the wires inside it. At this point, you need to note each wire so they can be replaced in the same position in your new light fitting. You should also consider taking a picture with your phone as this will make wiring the new fitting easier.

Remove The Wiring

After noting the location of the wires, you will need to remove the wires. To do this, you need to use an insulated screwdriver and unscrew each of the wires from the terminal. It is important that you use an insulated screwdriver to avoid any shocks from residue power.

Unscrew The Mounting Plate

Once the wires have been removed, you can remove the mounting plate. To do this, you will need to unscrew the plate and then loosen it. You need to be careful when removing the plate as you do not want to damage the ceiling.

Replace The Wire

If you see any obvious damage to the wires, you need to cut off the end of the damaged wire. Once you have made this cut, you will have to strip back some of the insulation to expose enough of the copper wire to secure in the new fitting. After doing this, you can place the new mounting plate onto the ceiling and replace the wires into their correct place.

Replace The Cover

Once the wiring has been replaced, you need to screw the cover of the new fitting in place. You can then fit a light bulb and turn the mains back on. You should then test your work by turning the light on.

Smoke alarms can save lives as long as they are properly installed and maintained. They offer one of the most effective and inexpensive warnings in case a fire starts in your home. The fact that smoke alarms are important is not in doubt, but it is still important to choose the right brand to ensure that you are alerted as quickly as possible in case of a fire and avoid annoying false alarms.

Here are the best smoke alarm brands:

1. First Alert

First Alert manufactures both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms as well as dual-sensor smoke detectors. Smoke detectors from the brand come with a 10-years limited warranty and produce 75 decibels. Some models have remote-control function that allows you to test the system with a TV or radio remote.

2. Kiddie

Kiddie also manufactures photoelectric, ionization, and dual-sensor smoke detectors. The warranty coverage on its products depends on the model, so ensure that you check the warranty details on the packaging. The brand also offers units that can be hardwired into the electrical supply of your home as well as a backup battery while others run exclusively on battery power. Kiddie’s alarms produce 85 decibels of sound. Kiddie acquired its rival FireX in 2007. Prior to this FireX was one of the most widely installed smoke alarm brand in the United States.

3. Nest Protect

Nest Protect manufactures distinctively square shaped smoke detectors unlike the usual round. The smoke detectors come in very cool white and black and can be connected to your Wi-Fi network to send updates and alerts to the accompanying Nest app that can be installed in a smartphone or tablet. Smoke detectors from the brand are capable of detecting different types of fire.

4. Universal Security Instruments (USI)

USI’s smoke detectors are round in shape and come with a 10-year limited warranty that offers replacements or repairs in case of a defective alarm. The smoke detectors from the brand have to be wired into the electrical system of your home and run on 120 V of AC power. Smoke detectors from USI are a great choice for the home due to the ability to respond quickly to smoldering and flaming fires.

The Bottom Line

Unexpected dangers in your home especially the threat of fire can be quite scary. A fire that burns undetected could mean the loss of your home, belongings, and worst of all possibly a member of the family. Smoke detectors save lives every day and the above mentioned brands are the best when it comes to protecting those or that you cherish most.