When a recessed light is not functioning properly, it may be the fault of a spring clip. To replace it, follow these steps:
Remove the metal clip
To remove a recessed light’s spring clip, you need to find the right tool. A pair of needle nose pliers can be helpful. Pull inward on the tab at the top of the clip to release its tension. The clip will then slide outward. Be careful not to bend the clip or pull it too far away from the light fixture as it could damage it. Follow the directions carefully to make sure you’re removing the correct part of the spring clip.
The spring clip holds the can in place. To remove it, gently pull down on the top of the can while holding the base of the light up. You may also find a metal clip on the perimeter of the light. To remove this, follow the instructions that come with the clip. Alternatively, you can use diagonal pliers to pry out any staples that might be embedded in the clip.
Puncture the housing with one of the staple’s legs
The easiest way to fix a loose recessed light spring clip is to use a small, sturdy staple to punch through the housing with the leg of the staple gun. Be sure to place the staple in such a way that it jams between the clip and the housing, and make sure to hold the leg of the staple over the clip’s recessed opening.
A small, heavy object such as a pair of side-cutting lineman’s pliers can also be used to punch through the housing to remove the recessed light spring clip. While subsequent raps won’t do much, it may help if the spring clip is bent outward. However, this method rarely works, and it can actually weaken the structure of the can light.
Install the spring clip
You can install a spring clip to a recessed light by first removing the old one. To do this, you will need a screwdriver and the recessed light. The clip moves upward and downward to secure the light. Once it is in place, it locks into place. The springs are hooked to holes inside the fixture housing. Once you have positioned the springs correctly, install the spring clip on recessed lights. Make sure that the lights are working correctly before installing the spring clips.
Once you’ve finished removing the old light fixture, you’ll be ready to install the new recessed lights. If you’re not sure how to do this, you can check out a step-by-step guide on YouTube. Follow the directions carefully, so you don’t damage your ceiling. It’s very important to match the color of the Romex wire to the recessed light slot. Once the wires are properly connected, you’ll be ready to screw the new spring clip into place.
Secure the fixture with a staple
When working with a recessed light, you may need to secure the spring clip to the housing by securing one of the arms of the fixture with a staple. You will need to keep electrical wires out of the lower portion of the light. Use a heavy-duty staple gun to permanently jam the spring clip. A lightweight shop stapler will not do the trick. You will also need to use a ladder to reach the ceiling. Before securing the spring clips to the fixture, you will need to remove the light from the ceiling and pull the whole thing downward. You will need a voltage tester to make sure no power is flowing through the cables.
The staple 124 is shaped like a clamp and interacts with the clip 144. Its end extends through a slot 170 and a groove 300 in the fixture. The staple ends pass through the grooves of the clip’s 100 and the socket 350 to form a self-retaining engagement. This process is repeated for each spring clip. Using a staple gun, you must be careful to use the correct amount of pressure.
Wire the fixture
To wire the spring clips, unscrew the light fixture and open its junction box. Next, remove the light by pulling it out about 1/2″ of the hole. Hold the spring clips upward to avoid snagging your fingers in the springs. Then, letting the spring clips down, you can wire the fixture. Retention clips have a strength similar to a mousetrap. It’s important to keep a steady hand and watch for signs of rust.
