The appearance of your home can be improved with the installation of floodlights.If you want to install your floodlights in a certain location, you may be better off hiring an electrician to do the work.If you want to hang lights over your garage door and don't mind running conduit lines inside, installing floodlights can be a simple project.The process can be time consuming, but it is a simple way to illuminate your house.
Step 1: The garage has electricity.
There is a circuit breaker in the basement or bottom floor of your home.The switch needs to be flipped for the garage.Plug a radio or lamp into a wall outlet in the garage to test for an electrical current.The device will not turn on if the power is off.
Step 2: There is a wall outlet near the garage door.
It's easier to install the floodlights if you have an outlet close to the door.To loosen the outlet, use a screwdriver.The wires need to be freed by removing the screws on the outlet's sides.The wires should be left in the electrical box.
Step 3: The electrical box should have a metal mounting plate over it.
An extension box that is the same shape as the outlet can be purchased at a home improvement store.The mounting plate will be included.Attach the plate to the electrical box with the included screws.
Step 4: Attach the metal conduit to the extension box.
The knock-out plug is on the top surface of the extension box.To remove the plug, use the tip of your screwdriver.Then place a 2 in metal conduit on top of the hole.Most home improvement stores have metal conduit pieces.
Step 5: Attach the extension box to the mounting plate.
There are two long screws in the extension box.Place the extension box on the plate.Attach the holes on the box and plate with screws.
Step 6: Measure from the extension box to the garage ceiling.
A tape measure is needed to get out a stepladder.Measure from the top of the box.If you have a number, subtract 1 2 in from it so the conduit won't be right up against the ceiling.
Step 7: I saw a piece of conduit.
The conduit can be purchased cheaply from home improvement stores.You can cut the tubing using a hacksaw.If you notice sharp edges, use a file to smooth them over.Measure from the ceiling to the center of the garage door to get a rough estimate of how much EMT you will need.Add the 2 measurements together.
Step 8: The extension box should be connected to the conduit tube.
There is a conduit on one end of the tube.The tube's free end should be on top of the extension box.
Step 9: The tube should be held to the wall with a conduit hanger.
There is a screw that holds the hanger's prongs together.The conduit tube is half way up.It's a good idea to position the hanger between the wall and the tube.You removed the screw that connected the hanger's prongs.Put a screw in the hole on the other end of the hanger to secure it to the wall.Before securing the conduit tube to the hanger, keep it straight.You can check this by looking up.To get it perfect, use a magnetic torpedo level.
Step 10: Measure from the wall corner to the right.
Measure the amount of conduit you need to reach the corner with the tape measure.There is a conduit elbow in the corner.You will need to connect it to the tubing.
Step 11: Place the tubing on the right-angle connection.
You saw the tubing the same way you did before.Climb up on the ladder and slide the tubing into the free end.Near the door, the tube should reach the wall corner.
Step 12: If the tubing is long, install a conduit hanger.
If the tubing is longer than 30 cm, secure it with a hanger.About halfway along the tube, place the hanger.You can screw the hanger to the wall if you hold the tube between the prongs.
Step 13: Attach the elbow to the end of the conduit.
The elbow is bent.The corner of the garage's side and front wall is where it should be placed.Take it over the end of the conduit and angle it towards the garage door.
Step 14: Continue hanging until you get to the center of the garage door.
Measure from the elbow to the center of the garage door.Place the tubes above the garage door.If you want to hold the tubing to the wall, place a hanger every 12 in (30 cm).Measure the length of the door to find out where the center is.
Step 15: Measure from the ceiling to the top of the garage door.
To do this, stay inside the garage.The tape measure can be used to take the measurement.To get the measurement you will use later, subtract 1 in from 2.5 cm.
Step 16: If you want to drill a hole through the measurement, mark it on the outside.
Measure from the top edge of the door with a ladder.To create a hole in the garage wall, use a spade drill bit.
Step 17: The garage ceiling has a junction box on it.
Return to the garage.The junction box should be over the end of the conduit tubing.To remove a knock-out plug, you will need a screwdriver.Attach the box to the ceiling with the screws included.
Step 18: The junction box has a 14/2 nonmetallic cable running through it.
The Romex cable can be found at the home improvement store.The rating is 14/2 on the label.Through the hole to the outside, push it into the junction box.Leave it there for now.
Step 19: The outlet box has a hole in it.
The home improvement store has a plastic cable connection and a round outlet box.Push the cable into the hole in the back of the outlet box.
Step 20: Feed the nonmetallic cable.
Push through the end of the cable.Hold the cable in place by using your screwdriver to tighten the screw.
Step 21: Silicone caulk can be used to fill a hole in the garage.
Silicone caulk can be used to patch up the hole.Shoot the caulk into the hole with a caulk gun.To smooth the caulk, use a damp cloth or finger.
Step 22: Attach the outlet box to the garage.
The outlet box is against the garage.It should rest against the caulk.Attach the box with 2 screws in the holes around it.
Step 23: The cover plate needs to be removed from the right-angle connection.
The one closest to the extension box is the one you want to adjust.It should be at the top of the conduit tube.The cover plate should be removed by undoing the screws on the surface.
Step 24: Attach electrician's fish tape to the extension box.
Fish tape is a hook on a cord that is used to pull wires through tight spaces.Lower the hook through the conduit tubing to get the tape out of the extension box.At any hardware store, you can find fish tape, electrician's tape and copper wires.
Step 25: Attach the copper wires to the fish tape.
The strand of stranded copper wire you need is white, black, and green.Attach the ends of the wires to the fish tape with electrician's tape.
Step 26: The wires need to be pulled up to the right-angle connection.
Return to the right-angle connection.Pull the fish tape off of the wires.The wires shouldn't fall back down if you pull them far out.Remove the fish tape from the electrical tape.
Step 27: The wires need to be pulled through the junction box.
Feed fish tape through the junction box above the garage door.Attach the wires to the fish tape at the right angle.The wires need to be pulled through the conduit tubes.
Step 28: The owner's manual says to assemble the floodlights.
To assemble the lights, follow the directions.You can twist the lights into the mount by hand.The lights won't be completely tightened until you hang them.
Step 29: Attach the cable to the box.
Pull the cable out of the outlet box and use the tape measure to measure it.Leave about 15 cm of wire exposed.Use pliers or wire cutter to cut the wire.
Step 30: There is no Strip.
To remove the plastic around the wires, use a utility knife.Use wire strippers to expose the black and white wires.
Step 31: The cables will lead to the flood lights.
Remove the flood light wires if they aren't already exposed.The wires should be held together.Wrap the wires together with pliers.Wrap each connection with electrical tape and place a wire nut over it.The electrical work can be difficult.Call a professional if you are unsure about doing it.
Step 32: Attach the lights to the wall
Follow the instructions in the owner's manual.You can mount the floodlights to the wall with machine screws.The bulbs should be placed in the lights.
Step 33: The wires should be connected at the junction box.
You should have the colored wires and the Romex cable at the junction box.Strip all the wires and connect the matching colors after cutting the Romex cable.Attach the wires with wire nuts and tape.
Step 34: The switch needs to be connected to the extension box.
Purchase a cheap receptacle switch.The wires should be connected to the correct plugs at the wall outlet.Use the included screws to secure the switch in place after you line up the holes with the extension box.Test your new lights by turning on the electricity.The size of the switch can affect the use of 16 in (0.79 cm) screws.