Outdoor lighting is useful in providing safety and home security, as well as contributing to the enjoyment of the yard, patio, and/or pool long into the night. Outdoor flood lights are an easy and inexpensive addition to a home’s ambiance and value. Installation of a flood light fixture takes little time, and requires no special expertise.
After purchasing a flood light fixture, a location for mounting must be determined. The fixture should be elevated to provide effective, wide-spread lighting, and it should be located reasonably close to a ceiling electrical box. Directly under a roof overhang or eve would be an ideal location for ensuring that the flood light fixture is somewhat protected from the weather.
When a location has been determined, turn off power to the chosen electrical box, and, using the proper gauge of outdoor wiring, attach the wiring to the box. White (neutral) wires are connected together, black (hot) wires are connected together, and bare (ground) wires are connected together. Make sure the wiring connections are secure.
Next, run a length of wire from the box to the location of the light switch. Trace the exact size of the switch box on the inside wall, then cut a hole in the drywall following the outline. Fish the wire from the box into the switch-box opening.
At this point, determine if the flood light fixture is to be mounted into, or, onto the exterior wall. If onto the wall, simply drill a hole of sufficient size to allow the wire through, and mount the light fixture to the wall. If mounting the flood light fixture into the wall, cut the proper size hole in the wall, being careful not to damage any interior wiring or pipes near the hole, and insert the box. In either case, make sure the fixture is securely attached.
Attach the incoming and outgoing wire to the inside switch box. Again, attach white wire to white wire, black to black, and ground to ground. When the switch wires are firmly secured, run the outgoing wire to the flood light fixture box, and then mount the cover plate to the switch box.
Read the manufacturer’s instructions for wiring the light fixture to ensure the proper wires are attached to the proper connectors in the fixture. Once the light fixture is securely wired, caulk the seam between the fixture box and the exterior wall. Install the cover plate on the fixture, and screw in the flood light bulbs. At this point, turn the power back on, test the lights, and adjust the movable bulb-holders as desired.
