Installing a Light Fixture in a Metal Box No Ground Wire

[@ianmarkmoore]

This is the first video I found where the box wiring was exactly like the wiring in my home, also in Chicago. Couldn't figure out those two twisted wires. Once I bought the bracket with a ground screw like you had, it all made sense. Thanks!

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

You're welcome. We have more home improvement tips on our weekly podcast itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement/id880903087?mt=2

[@echt114]

What if the fixture is NOT connected to metal conduit? I'm doing a ballast bypass on an old fluorescent fixture and there's only L & N wires coming in. The existing metal fixture has a white wire connecting through a screw on the fixture. Do I still need to use this screw when it's direct wired for LEDs? Do you just run the neutral through that screw? But wouldn't sending the neutral through that screw make touching the metal fixture dangerous?

[@nadermostafa3878]

The fact that the EMT is used as the grounding path, along with the fact that if EMT is used, the hot wire can be any color (other than green or white) are two key pieces of info that I've been having a ton of difficulty confirming. This is exactly how my house is wired. Another video taking a deeper dive into these topics would be super appreciated - otherwise thank you for the peace of mind! There are not enough videos out there about the nuances of EMT.

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Glad it was helpful. Check out more home improvement tips in our e-books www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B2KW1FQ9?notRedirectToSDP=1&.

[@keyfretter]

Very helpful! I'm replacing potlights with LED - I couldn't find a ground wire for the potlights I removed (the cans are also inside metal boxes) I assumed the boxes are grounded so now I know how to test that. Thanks!

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Glad it helped Check out more home improvement tips in our e-books www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B2KW1FQ9?notRedirectToSDP=1&.

[@patricktran9946]

hi sir. I just took out my old fixture ceiling out to replacement new fixture ceiling light...when I took out old one seen only 3 white wire connected to 1 white wire and black wire to black wire... my house old house didn't have ground wire!!! I just wonderwhy can I hook out same connection 3 white wire to 1 white wire and black wire to black wire to my light fixture ceiling without ground wire!!! thank you. I also email you.

[@frankiet3841]

Hey! Fellow Chicagoan here! Great video! Subscribed to your channel, I hope to learn a ton from you

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Thanks. We have more home improvement tips on our weekly podcast itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement/id880903087?mt=2

[@UnnecessaryComment.]

Thank you sir. This was exactly what I needed! Very informative

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Glad it was helpful We have more home improvement tips on our weekly podcast itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement/id880903087?mt=2

[@transformers_quotes5738]

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”Ephesians 2:8-9“for ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” Romans 10:13

[@jorgemedina6611]

Very nice work don like 👍 it

[@kell8334]

Thanks for responding. The directions don't say the ground is required for it to work and I was reluctant to hook it up without the ground hooked to anything. Should I hook it up without the ground and see if it will work?

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Hi, the ground reduces the risk of a shock hazard. I would give the company a call and ask their recommendation.

[@ChayYP]

Thank you!!! ❤ You explained this perfectly

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

You're welcome Check out some home improvement tips in our e-books www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B2KW1FQ9

[@KJ_nyc]

Very helpful video. There are millions of high-rise apartment buildings in America's big cities that are wired like this. They have pipe conduit carrying the wires to metal boxes, and there are no green ground wires to be found. If you move one of the switches or outlets, electricians are required to use BX cable. I understand this process for a ceiling light, but what should you do for an outlet or switch box? My metal boxes have a threaded hole for a screw. Should I insert a ground screw in this hole, and then wrap ground wire around it and the screw on the receptacle? Would this provide added safety? What happens when there is room for only one ground screw inside a metal box, but you have two switches in one box. Is this what they call a pigtail opportunity? Thank you so much!

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Hi, you can test the metal box to see if it's grounded. If it is, you can screw a grounding pigtail into the box for a better ground. Yes, create additional pigtails to the devices. Check out more home improvement tips in our e-books www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B2KW1FQ9?notRedirectToSDP=1&.

[@TheCupfulBoy]

Do I need to tighten the ceiling ground wire to the screw as well? How about connecting both ground wire with wire nut only instead of ground screw

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Hi, you can email me at [e-mail].

[@asdfvbghjkl]

Hi, I have the exact same scenario where I don't have a ground / free wire in the electrical box. My question is: how will I know if the ground/ gree wire isn't grounded correctly? Will the light not turn on indicating it's not grounded ?

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Hi, the light will work without the ground wire connected. You can test the ground with a multimeter to check it. You can email me at [e-mail].

[@MeR-md1jq]

What do you do if the electrical box isn't grounded? There is no ground wire coming from the wiring, but my new light fixture has a ground wire? What do I do with that ground wire?

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Hi, I would test the box with an electrical tester to see if it's grounded. If it is grounded, connect a grounding pigtail to the box. If it is a light in the ceiling, just connect the hot and neutral and leave the ground disconnected. There is a small shock risk with a ceiling light. Check out more home improvement tips in our e-books www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B2KW1FQ9?notRedirectToSDP=1&.

[@marco785]

How did this answer your question?

[@segelnnatur2022]

Thanks, excellent video. If I were installing a 3 prong outlet, I'm guessing I'd connect the outlet ground to the metal box? We do have metal conduit but no ground wire. One conduit enters the box with black and white. Another conduit enters ( or leaves ) the conduit with white, black and red. The box is outside that a light was attached to. Inside we have two different switches in two different locations to operate the light. I guess it's called a two way switch. Any suggestions or ideas appreciated. Thanks 💡

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Hi, yes, you can add a grounding pigtail to the metal box and connect that wire to the green screw terminal. Test the box to see if it's grounded. If not, use a GFCI to help protect against a shock hazard. We have more tips on our weekly podcast. itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement/id880903087?mt=2

[@lizzonthego7069]

Can i screw the braket to the wood on the ceiling and connect the grounf to the braket screwed on the wood?

[@kell8334]

Thank you for this video. I am trying to wire a ring floodlight camera. My light junction box has one black and one white wire. Used your video and tested junction box with multimeter, it's not grounded. Any suggestions are much appreciated. I email you this question and picture, after reading comments here I figured it probably went to your spam. So thought I'd ask here. Thanks

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Hi, does the Ring Camera need the ground to work?

[@amyc.8283]

What would I do if my box is ungrounded? My house was built in ‘59 in Missouri. When I install it and flip the breaker the voltage tester is showing voltage on the outside of my light. It’s an LED light.

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Hi, if you are using a non contact voltage tester, you can pick up the voltage from the wires. You can email me at [e-mail]. Check out some home improvement tips in our e-books www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B2KW1FQ9

[@user-vu1cy7wp2r]

Hi- I'm installing a new vanity wall light that is operated by a wall switch an it is tripping my breaker. -The old light I'm replacing, a 48" fluorescent light fixture, which worked fine, had no ground wire, only one black and one white wire. Coming out of the metal junction box on the wall is one RED wire and two White wires that are twisted together. The old fixtures' Black wire was connected to the RED wire out of the wall, and the old fixture's white wire was connected to the two twisted white wires coming out of the wall. -The NEW light has a black a white and a ground wire. I connected the new lights' black wire to the RED wire from the wall and connected the new lights' White wire to the white wires from the wall. -I connected the new lights' ground wire to the mounting strap for the new light which is screwed onto the metal junction box in the wall. When I turn on the switch, the light came on for a second and then the circuit breaker tripped. -I then disconnected the ground wire, turned the switch back on and the light stayed on for a minute and then the breaker tripped again. Any idea what's going on??? Thanks for your help or anyone's help.

[@davidadam3193]

What if you don't have a metal fixture strap to connect the ground wires to

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Hi, you can pick up a fixture strap at a hardware store or home center. Check out more home improvement tips in our e-books www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B2KW1FQ9?notRedirectToSDP=1&.

[@lcmlcm2460]

Thank you this video helped me out a lot.

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Glad it helped Check out more home improvement tips in our e-books www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B2KW1FQ9?notRedirectToSDP=1&.

[@dorothybleeker3551]

I am putting in a vanity light. Do both screws have to be in the metal box? My box is very off centered to the wall, and I don't want my light off to one side.

[@nathaliabuitrago9896]

We have both red and black for hot wires and white for neutral ( no ground) . When we connect black to black and white to white the light switch does not work ( light is always on) . Any tips ?

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Hi, you can send pictures to [e-mail].

[@dannyday1370]

Maybe on a switch loop.

[@dannyday1370]

If it's on switch loop like my house is you will have to put white to black wire. I have romex 12/2 wire white an black with ground. I just recently had to fix some of the wiring an I had same problem light would come on soon as I turned breaker back on an light switch wouldn't turn light off it just stayed on. Finally figured it out. My light switches are all switch looped. Having to mix one of the white with black on the pigtails

[@brianzemach1340]

Thanks for this. Living in a Chicago suburb, it's nice to know that the metal box provide the grounding pathway, which explains my fruitless searches for that third, green wire. A question, if I may: as with @keyfretter, I am swapping in direct wire LED Ubend tubes to replace old ballast fluorescent. Given the minimal contact each Ubend has with the wiring (4 pins on the G13 tombstones), whee - if at all -do I run the ground. Any thoughts gratefully received.

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Hi, you can email me at [e-mail]

[@marc-mf7mp]

Excellent how-to👍

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Thank you. Check out more home improvement tips in our e-books www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B2KW1FQ9?notRedirectToSDP=1&.

[@MB-el1ve]

I live in Chicago and Im trying to install a ceiling fan. the pipe coming out of the ceiling is grounded but not the box. Looks like the box is not making contact with the pipe. What can I do?

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Hi, you can email pictures to [e-mail]

[@123upandadaminc8]

Hi, I bought a chandelier that an electrician converted to a plug in lamp, the maintenance guy told me it has to attach to a box the first guy said it could just go on a plant hock. He was a real electrician. The chandelier only had two wires the white and black no ground " What do you think? L've tried reaching out to my city's inspectional services but they never email me back. thanks

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Hi, if the electrician put on a polarized plug, you can plug it into a wall outlet. Does it have a chain to hang it from a ceiling hook that you would anchor into a joist?

[@beck943]

My wall switch box is not grounded. I confirmed this with a voltage tester. What do i do, to add a wall switch to an ungrounded switch box?

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Hi, in many older homes, you can find electrical boxes without a ground wire or the box isn't grounded. Are there ground wires in other boxes? Are the boxes connected to conduit?

[@beck943]

@@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel Other boxes and outlets in the house are grounded, yes. I don't know what this box is connected to.

[@chip9832]

My hall light wall box isnt showing grounded per your instructions Am i ok

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Hi, is this the only box without a ground?

[@ampecsu]

so is the box ground to anything? If I'm installing a motion sensor outdoor light and their are only 2 wires present can i Buy a box to ground to and be good

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Hi, if you are in an area that uses conduit to metal boxes, the conduit is the ground path back to the service panel. If the metal box isn't grounded, and there isn't conduit back to the service panel, which you will find in old homes, you need a ground wire or new cable run from the service panel to your electrical box. Did you check the box to see if it's grounded?

[@markhillquiwag1646]

what happen if you not put the ground wire? please notice

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Hi, the light will still work. You just won't have the protection of the ground wire if there is a shock hazard. If you have a metal box that is grounded to conduit back to the service panel, it will be grounded without a ground wire. Check out some home improvement tips in our e-books www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B2KW1FQ9

[@BrianPex]

What if it’s an old house without a ground wire?

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Hi, you can check the box to see if it's grounded. Here is a video kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJrOq5iqjsmcarc. If it's not grounded, a light fixture isn't a high shock risk because of it's location. Check out some home improvement tips in our e-books www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B2KW1FQ9

[@Orlandohaschanged]

Thanks! Great video

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Glad it was helpful We have more home improvement tips on our weekly podcast itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement/id880903087?mt=2

[@Zak_Edington]

You should add in that sometimes the white wire is hot depending on the wiring of the house/electrician that installed it

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Hi, white is neutral by code, but if the a homeowner ran wire through conduit they might use white as hot, or it could be used on a switch leg. An electrician would mark a white wire used as hot with black or red tape, or a black marker to identify it as hot. Check out more home improvement tips in our e-books www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B2KW1FQ9?notRedirectToSDP=1&.

[@anoldfriend3901]

What can I do if there is no ground wire in the box, or the light fixture? It is a metal box in the ceiling.

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Hi, if there isn't ground wires, just connect the hot and neutral and it will work. If the metal box is grounded, use the fixture strap that comes with the light and connect it to the box and the light to the strap to ground it for safety. Check out more home improvement tips in our e-books www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B2KW1FQ9?notRedirectToSDP=1&.

[@anoldfriend3901]

@@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel So the screws that attach the strap to the metal box would be acting as a ground for the strap? Then the screws that attach the light fixture to the strap would ground the light fixture? If I could find a screw hole in the metal box would I be able to put a ground screw, copper ground cable, then attach that to the light strap? The light fixture strap does come with a ground screw to place a ground cable.

[@anthonyb4060]

What if the electric box is plastic?

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Hi, do you have a ground wire?

[@natekuta6707]

@@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel I have an old home with no ground wire, a plastic junction box, and a fixture with black, white, and ground wires. Is there any way to safely set this up?

[@Marie-zd2dx]

What do I do if my light fixture has no ground wire?

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Hi, you can email me at [e-mail]

[@nicoleemerson2655]

what do I do if my lighting fiture is antique and does NOT have the ground wire (it only has white and black) - and I DO have the ground wire in the ceiling - do I just screw the ground wire from ceiling into the grounding screw in box?

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Hi, you can email me at fixitpodcast@gmail..com

[@hl5645]

Hi, I have the same problem, should I email you too?

[@jessicakoch2331]

Thank you so much!!!

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

You're welcome We have more home improvement tips on our weekly podcast itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement/id880903087?mt=2

[@mixedberries4937]

Awesome

[@pierreverna1493]

what if no ground wire wasn’t answered?

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Hi, what is the question.

[@eldeleiteespiritualthespir6456]

God bless thanks

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Glad it was helpful Check out more home improvement tips in our e-books www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B2KW1FQ9?notRedirectToSDP=1&.

[@GregoryBrinson-y2d]

Sooooo.... There is a ground.

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Check out some home improvement tips in our e-books www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B2KW1FQ9

[@Hhhhhgggihgdd]

What if you have a light fixture that doesn't have a ground wire coming out of it ? What then ?

[@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel]

Hi, you can email me at [e-mail].

[@walterdiaz2003]

@@FIXITHomeImprovementChannel why would anyone send you an email for a simple question like that? ....

[@LeftInBama]

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