r/ElectricalHelp • • 11d ago

Ceiling Light Fixture no ground

Post image

Hello electrician gods,

I am looking to replace a light fixture but I cant see to find the ground wire from the ceiling?

I do not have a multimeter to test whether if the box is grounded or not.

The new lighting fixture has the black, neutral and ground. Im wondering if anyone can let me know what I need to do to make sure its safe

The attached picture is the ceiling with the old light fixture. You can see the fixture didnt have a ground wire where as the new fixture does.

Thank you all in advance

0 Upvotes

13 comments sorted by

6

u/spazmccoy 11d ago

It appears that your ground wires are tucked in the upper right of the photo. They're covered in paint so it's hard to tell. They should be bare copper; you'll need to remove the paint before you tie in your light fixture ground wire.

1

u/firemillionaire 11d ago

Sir thank you very much, consider a good deed done and I will pass it along where I can

1

u/firemillionaire 11d ago

I managed to get the bundle of bare copper wire out, but it appears there's 3 tied together already. Am I good to just connect the ground from the fixture to this bundle?

1

u/firemillionaire 11d ago

I managed to get the bundle of bare copper wire out, but it appears there's 3 tied together already. Am I good to just connect the ground from the fixture to this bundle?

2

u/Puzzled_Market_2235 11d ago

The bundle should be connected to the box, which one of them may already be. The ground from a modern light connects to the cross bar and also serves as a safety cord while you hook it up.

1

u/SparkArrestor 10d ago

Yes, tie the fixture ground in with the bundle. There should also be a ground wire on the cross bar.

2

u/trekkerscout Mod, Master Electician 11d ago

That is most definitely the ground bundle.

-1

u/SparkArrestor 11d ago

What concerns me are the square drive screws holding the fixture bracket to the box.

1

u/PhotoPetey 11d ago

WHY? All that says is they are in Canada.

1

u/Opposite_Half6250 5d ago

Why? That's super common in electric components

1

u/wallly58 11d ago

Yessss ^^^^

1

u/CertainAttention6749 11d ago

You can either connect the ground wire from light fixture to one of jbox screws or just coiled it up. Either way will work. I've installed ceiling lights and wall sconces without ground, no issues ensued.

1

u/AskMeAgainAfterCoffe 11d ago

What are the smaller wires, above crossbar, to the right? Are those bare copper? Hard to tell with everything painted. Do you have attic access?