A pool that sparkles and is well-lit turns your backyard into a welcoming sanctuary where you can swim and have fun at night. But what happens when that warm glow starts to fade, flicker, or just go away? A broken or burnt-out pool light may rapidly turn your water paradise into a dark hole, and it can also be dangerous.
If you own a pool, you’ve probably asked yourself, “How do I change a pool light?” or “What do I need to do to change a pool light?” The good news is that many homeowners can change a pool light fixture themselves, and you usually don’t even need to drain the pool all the way. This complete guide will show you how to securely change a pool light, including both ways: with and without draining the water.
It may seem scary to deal with electrical near water, but if you know what you’re doing and are dedicated to safety, you can alter your pool light and make your pool more appealing again.
Why Proper Pool Light Replacement is Crucial
It’s important to replace pool light fixtures correctly for more than simply looks. Here are some reasons why:
- Safety First: We can’t stress this enough, water and electricity don’t mix. Not putting it in right can cause serious electrical shocks, not just for people who are swimming but also for everyone who is near the pool.
- Fixture Longevity: How long do fixtures last? If you install your new light fixture correctly, including sealing and wiring it correctly, it will last as long as it should and won’t break down early because of water getting in.
- Energy Efficiency: Many antique pool lights are incandescent, which means they use a lot of power. It’s a good idea to switch out an old pool light for a new LED one. This can save you a lot of money on your electricity costs.
- Functionality & Enjoyment: A well-lit pool not only looks nice, but it also makes swimming at night safer and more fun by lighting up the steps, sides, and the water itself.
Essential Safety Precautions Before You Start
Before you even think about touching your pool light, let’s go over the most important things you need to do to stay safe. Please don’t skip or rush through these steps.
- ALWAYS Disconnect Power: Unplugging the power is a must. Find the circuit breaker in your main electrical panel that controls your pool light and, if possible, all of your pool equipment, such as pumps and filters. Put it in the “off” position.
- Verify Power is Off: Don’t think that the breaker worked. Use a non-contact voltage tester to make sure that there is no power at the light fixture or at the junction box (if you can get to it). Get one if you don’t have one. They are cheap and can save your life.
- Dry Hands & Tools: Make sure that your hands, tools, and the area where you’ll be working on the electrical connections are all dry.
- Gather the Right Tools: Get everything ready before you start so you don’t get interrupted. You will probably need:
- A new bulb or light fixture for the pool and a new gasket
- Phillips and flathead screwdrivers
- Cutters and strippers for wires
- Waterproof wire nuts and connections (be sure they can be used underwater)
- Grease for connections that don’t conduct electricity
- Silicone grease (for seals)
- Voltage tester that doesn’t touch
- Rags that are clean
- A little bucket or cloth for the deck would work.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Put on thick gloves and eye protection.
- Work During Daylight Hours: Natural light makes it easier to see, which lowers the risk of making mistakes.
- Read Manufacturer’s Instructions: Each new light fixture comes with its own set of instructions for how to install it. Before you start, read them all the way through. They might have important information that only your new light has.
- Know When to Call a Professional: If you come across old or corroded wiring, complicated electrical problems, or just feel uneasy at any time, don’t hesitate to call a licensed electrician or pool technician. Your safety comes first.
Method 1: Changing a Pool Light Fixture with Water Drainage
If you’re already planning to decrease the water level in your pool for other maintenance, or if you just feel more comfortable working in a dry place, this method is typically the best choice.
When to Use This Method
- You need to do other pool maintenance that needs the water level to be lower.
- You don’t feel safe working with a light fixture when it’s still close to or in the water.
- Your older fixture may not have a long enough cord to reach the deck when it is floating.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Turn Off Power (Reiterate!): Make sure the circuit breaker for your pool light and all of the other pool equipment is in the “OFF” position. Check using your voltage tester.
- Drain the Pool: Lower the water level in the pool until it is well below the bottom of the niche for the light fixture. You can do this using a submersible pump or by putting your pool pump to “waste” or “drain.”
- Remove the Old Fixture:
- After the water level drops, find the one screw or clamp that holds the light fixture in place in the pool wall. This is normally at the top or bottom of the ring that holds the fixture’s face.
- Use the right screwdriver to carefully loosen and take off this screw or clamp.
- Carefully take the whole light fixture out of its place. Most pool lights have a few extra feet of cord coiled up behind them in the niche. This lets you bring the light onto the pool surface. Carefully set the fixture down on a clean, dry surface.
- Disconnect Wiring:
- You might have to take out some screws to open the rear of the light fixture.
- You’ll notice the electrical connections within. There will usually be three wires: black for hot, white for neutral, and green for ground. You will connect these to the main wiring of your pool.
- Cut the connections with wire cutters, leaving enough wire on both sides of the pool and the old fixture to make it easy to rejoin. Just take out the wire nuts if there are any.
- Prepare New Fixture & Connect Wiring:
- If you only need to change the light bulb in the pool, go to step 6.
- If you’re taking the whole pool light fixture out:
- If you need to, strip about 3/4 inch of insulation off the ends of the new fixture’s cables and the wires that are already in the pool.
- Connect black to black, white to white, and green (ground) to green (ground) to match the colors.
- Twist the bare ends of the wires that go together tightly.
- Use a watertight wire nut to make sure each connection is safe. Check if the wire nuts may be used outside or underwater. For further protection against moisture and corrosion, put dielectric grease within the wire nuts.
- Pro Tip: Don’t make all the wire connections line up in one big location. This will make it easy to coil the cable afterward.
- Install New Gasket (CRITICAL): Always put in a new gasket, whether you’re changing only the bulb or the whole fixture. The gasket is important because it keeps water from getting into the fixture and makes a watertight seal. Put a tiny layer of silicone lubrication on the new gasket to help it fit correctly.
- Coil Excess Cord: Put any extra cord from the new fixture neatly in the space behind the light. This keeps things from getting tangled and makes it easier to fix things in the future.
- Secure New Fixture: Push the new fixture back into its niche carefully, making sure it is seated perfectly. Put the screw or clamp back in that holds the fixture to the wall. Make sure it’s snug, but don’t tighten it too much.
- Refill Pool: Start filling your pool back up to the level it usually runs at.
- Test: After you fill the pool again, switch the circuit breaker back on. Check to see if your new light works. Check the area around the fixture for leaks when the light is on.
Method 2: Changing a Pool Light Fixture WITHOUT Water Drainage
A lot of people choose this method for quickly replacing pool lights because it saves you the trouble and time of draining and refilling your pool. But you need to be more careful and comfortable working with electrical parts near water.
When to Use This Method
- You just have to change the bulb and the gasket.
- You want to change the light quickly and easily without messing up your pool schedule.
- There is enough extra cord on your light fixture to draw it onto the pool deck.
Important Warning: Even if the light fixture is moved onto the deck, the wire connections inside the junction box are still connected directly to the main electrical system of your pool. Safety is still the most important thing.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Turn Off Power (ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL!): This step cannot be stressed enough. Shut off the circuit breaker for the pool light and all other pool equipment that goes with it. Check the light fixture or junction box with your non-contact voltage tester to be sure.
- Loosen and Float the Fixture:
- If you need to, put your arm in the water while keeping the rest of your body as dry as possible. Then, find the one screw or clamp that holds the light fixture in place.
- Use the right screwdriver to carefully loosen and take off this screw or clamp.
- Because of their buoyancy and the length of their chord, many pool lights are made to float after they are not attached. Carefully take the fixture out of the hole.
- To get the whole light fixture onto the pool surface, carefully pull the extra chord that is coiled up in the niche. Make that the fixture is on a clean, dry surface that is far away from the water’s edge.
- Open the Fixture (on deck):
- Take off the lens and face ring of the fixture. This is commonly done by unscrewing them.
- Take the old bulb out carefully. If the bulb is a halogen, don’t touch the glass with your bare hands since oils can make hot spots and shorten the bulb’s life. Put on gloves or a clean cloth.
- Disconnect Wiring (for full fixture replacement only):
- If you’re only changing the pool light bulb, go to step 6.
- If you’re taking out the whole pool light fixture:
- After you put the fixture on the deck, you’ll need to cut the old wires close to the old fixture, allowing enough length on the pool side for new connections.
- To connect the wires, take the old fixture and the new one to a place that is absolutely dry, like a workbench.
- Take out about 3/4 inch of insulation from the ends of the wires on the new fixture and the wires that are already in the pool.
- Black to black, white to white, and green to green should all match.
- Use waterproof wire nuts or the right connectors, making sure they are tightly fastened and filled with dielectric oil.
- Make sure these connections are completely watertight, which is very important.
- Install New Bulb & Gasket (for bulb replacement or full fixture):
- Tighten the replacement bulb with screws.
- IMPORTANT: Always put in a fresh gasket. The old one can be weak, broken, or just squished. Use silicone oil to lubricate the new gasket so that it fits and seals properly.
- Carefully put the lens and face ring back on, making sure they are well fastened to make a seal that won’t let water in. This stops water from getting into the fixture and causing damage or a short circuit.
- Test for Leaks (Before re-submerging):
- You can quickly switch the power back on while the fixture is still on the deck to make sure the new bulb works. Turn the power back off right away.
- Some experts say to do a quick submersion test in a pail of water on the deck to look for leaks right away. However, this adds a little bit of difficulty and isn’t necessarily necessary if you’ve been careful with the gasket and sealing.
- Coil Excess Cord & Resubmerge:
- Carefully coil the extra cord back into the space behind the light fixture.
- Carefully push the light fixture back into its place in the pool wall, making sure it fits snugly.
- Put the screw or clamp back in that holds the fixture to the niche. Make sure it’s tight, but don’t make it too tight.
- Final Test: Switch the circuit breaker back on. Make sure your new pool light works by watching it. Check it every few days to make sure no water has gotten into the fixture.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even if you plan everything out carefully, things don’t always go as planned. Here are some frequent problems and how to fix them:
- Light Not Turning On:
- Check the breaker: Check to see that it hasn’t tripped.
- Check the bulb: If you can replace it, make sure it’s screwed in right and not burned out.
- Inspect wiring connections: Turn off the power, take out the light, and make sure all the wire nuts are tight.
- Water Inside Fixture: This is a big deal. Turn off the electricity right away. This means that the gasket failed or that the parts weren’t sealed properly when they were put back together. Take out the fixture, dry it down completely, put in a new gasket, and carefully put it back together, making sure the seal is tight.
- GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) Tripping: If your pool light circuit has a GFCI and it continually tripping, it’s a good sign that there is a ground fault, which is probably caused by water getting into the fixture, conduit, or junction box. Don’t try to reset it over and over again. This is a big safety issue. Call a certified electrician and turn off the electricity.
- Difficulty Removing/Installing Fixture: Over time, calcium buildup or corrosion can make it hard to put the fixture in place or take it out. It might help to wiggle it a little, use a screwdriver as a lever (being cautious not to damage the niche), or even a rust penetrant like PB Blaster (being careful not to get it in the pool water).
Maintenance Tips for Pool Lights
After you’ve replaced your pool light, a little regular care can make it last longer and keep your pool looking great:
- Regularly Inspect: Look for cracks, rust, or wear on the chord on the light fixture every so often.
- Clean the Lens: Algae or minerals can build up on the lens, making the light less bright. When you clean the walls of your pool, be careful not to damage it.
- Consider LED Upgrades: If you haven’t done so previously, you should definitely switch to LED pool lighting. They use a lot less energy, last a lot longer, and come in a wide range of colors.
- Keep Spares: It can save you time in the future to have an extra gasket and, if you need one, an extra bulb on hand.
Conclusion
Changing a pool light fixture is a fun DIY project that can make your pool much safer and more beautiful. You may safely change your pool light whether you want to empty the water or leave it in by carefully following these step-by-step instructions and, most importantly, making sure that electrical safety is always your top priority.
If you ever feel doubtful, uneasy, or run into complicated electrical problems, it’s always preferable to be safe and consult a skilled pool specialist or licensed electrician. It’s worth it to have a well-lit pool and peace of mind.