How To Change A LED Downlight Bulb Easily (Do It Yourself)

Last updated on April 9, 2024

Changing a LED downlight can be a simple process if you follow the correct steps. Here’s a general guide that can be applied to most LED downlights:

Steps to change a LED Downlight Bulb;

Turn off the power supply
Remove the existing LED downlight
Unplug the power cable
Insert the new LED downlight
Turn on the power supply

LED Light Replacement And its Benefits

Upgrading your home with residential LED downlights can drastically change the overall look and feel of your home. It’s chic, modern, simple, and minimalist. It’s also a common go-to-lighting for business establishments. Investing in quality downlights will better illuminate the space and make it more efficient.

Besides aesthetics, LED downlights are great for saving on energy consumption when compared to the traditional halogen downlights. You can expect up to 75% savings on your energy consumption once you make the big switch.

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Additionally, LED downlights can last for years and their operation emits only a tiny amount of heat. Upgrading downlights to LED is a pretty straightforward choice, and with types of LED lights manufactured to fit within halogen downlight cutouts, you’ll be guaranteed a seamless transition.

Replacing LED Downlight (Choosing The Perfect Downlight)

Under the ESS scheme, you can get the total cost of an LED upgrade subsidized and a 5-7 year product warranty.

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Before you rush to the store to purchase an alternative for your faulty downlight, you should consider the type of light to choose.

Assessing the function of the space, the aesthetics, the practicality and matching these criteria with a specific type, will result in the right selection that will improve performance, will increase the life expectancy of the downlight and save you from the trouble of testing and returning types to the store.

Knowing what type of bulb is required

Two types of downlight globes are commonly used, MR16 and GU10. Before any replacement, make sure to check your old sockets before purchasing new LED bulbs.

➡ MR16 globes have two sharp pins and a ‘push-to-fit’ installation system. This bulb has a lower voltage compared to GU10. It commonly operates at 12 volts, which means these types also require a transformer. If the existing types are halogen downlights, make sure to also replace the transformer when upgrading to LED.

➡ GU10 can be easily installed with a twisting mechanism until it locks into place. Unlike MR16, GU10 operates on high voltage (typically 120 volts) and has two prongs instead of pins.

Evaluating the brightness of the lighting

The higher the lumen output, the brighter the room. Traditionally, brightness used to be measured by the watt consumption of the fixture, but with LED, this method is no longer applicable as LEDs use minimal energy.

The intensity of light can have a strong impact on the ambience of a room, and on the resulting feeling people will get when entering and spending time in the room, so if you’re aiming for a certain vibe, it’s best to consider the brightness of the downlight.

Picking the right colour temperature

Colour temperature gives the first impression to anyone who steps inside your room with characteristics of each temperature output that meets a specific function and space requirement.

Typically, you can choose from three colour temperatures:

Daylight is perfect if you want your space to look bright and refreshing. It has a bit of a blue tone to it which provides a very modern look.
Cool light has a tinge of yellow, and compared to daylight, it looks more natural. It’s a standard option for most households.
Warm light is commonly used by hotels and coffee shops to give a calm ambience pleasing to the eyes and generally relaxing.

Installing LED Downlights

Now that you’ve picked the perfect downlight, it’s time to install the downlight. However, it is very important to follow precautionary measures to protect yourself from injury and electric shock.

It is highly advisable to perform the installation or replacement with someone watching over, especially if it involves standing on a ladder.

Cut the power source of the lighting circuit

This initial step is highly important and must not be ignored. Electrical shock can be hazardous and even deadly and can be avoided by turning off the specific breaker that controls the power flow to the light. For extra protection, wear rubber-insulated gloves.

Rubber is non-conductive to electricity and is an essential tool worn by professional electricians when handling electrical wires.

Wait for the downlight to cool down

Downlights, especially halogen bulbs, emit a lot of heat during operation and therefore become extremely hot to touch after use. The heat can cause a first-degree burn.

That’s why it is essential to wait until the bulb cools down. LED bulbs avoid this obstacle altogether, as they emit much lower heat and cool down faster.

Remove the old downlight from the ceiling

Twist the fitting in a counter-clockwise motion until it is safe to pull out. Once the old bulb is removed from the socket, remove it from its clipping or lamp holder.

➜ For G10 downlights

➜ For MR16 downlights

MR16 downlights can get a little trickier.

You’ll first need to remove the fitting or the outer ring that holds the downlight. If it’s stubborn, you can use a flathead screwdriver and gently pull it from the ceiling. MR16 bulbs have pins so you can simply remove them like a standard plug.

After removing the outer ring along with the attached bulb, check the transformer which feeds the fixture, it should generally be located inside your ceiling. Once you’ve located the transformer, check if it requires replacement, by checking the VA number printed on its body.

If the input voltage is within the range of your new LED bulb, it can be safely used for the new light. However, if the transformer requires replacement, it is best to hire a professional electrician to ensure the safety of yourself and home from potential fire and electrical hazards.

Replacing old bulbs with new LED downlights

For G10 downlights:

Fit the new bulb with the old clipping. When done, attach the bulb first to the socket, then in a clockwise direction, twist it again until it is well-fitted in the ceiling.

For MR16 downlights:

Some MR16 LED downlights are already fitted with an outer ring that can be easily attached to the ceiling.

However, even if you only purchased the LED bulb, you can still use the old outer ring. Gently remove the old bulb and place the new one.

Once ready, plug the pins into the socket and push the outer ring until you hear a click from the ceiling, indicating the downlight has been locked in place.

Time to put the LED downlights to the test, turn on the main switch

Once the process is complete, turn the breaker switches back to their original ON position. Check if the downlight is working by turning on the assigned lighting switch as you would typically do.

Generally, downlights should instantly light up, but if they don’t, allow for a few minutes for the light to warm up. Otherwise, go through the steps and re-check the installation.

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Can you change downlights yourself?

Yes, you can change downlights yourself if you have the necessary knowledge, tools, and experience. However, if you are not familiar with electrical wiring or you are not comfortable working with electricity, it is best to hire a qualified electrician to do the job.

Do you need electrician to change down light?

Technically, changing a downlight can be done by an experienced DIYer, but it's important to note that electrical work can be dangerous and should only be performed by someone who is qualified and competent to do so. An electrician has the necessary knowledge, training, and equipment to safely and correctly install or replace downlights.

While changing a downlight may seem like a simple task, it's always a good idea to consult with a licensed electrician who can provide advice, guidance,

Is it difficult to install downlights?

The difficulty of installing downlights can vary depending on several factors, such as the type of downlight, the installation method, and the location of the installation. Installing a downlight can be relatively simple for someone with experience and knowledge of electrical wiring and fixtures. However, it can be challenging and potentially dangerous for someone who is not familiar with electrical work.

Do all downlights have plugs?

No, not all downlights have plugs. Some downlights are designed to be hardwired, which means that they need to be connected directly to the electrical wiring in your ceiling or wall. Hardwired downlights usually require a licensed electrician to install them.

On the other hand, some downlights have plugs that can be connected to a standard electrical outlet. These types of downlights are usually called plug-in downlights and are designed to be more easily installed by DIYers. Plug-in downlights are typically used in situations where a hardwired installation is not practical or desirable, such as in rental properties or where rewiring is not an option.

Can I replace old downlights with LED?

Yes, you can replace old downlights with LED downlights. In fact, replacing old halogen or incandescent downlights with LED downlights is a popular and cost-effective way to upgrade your lighting and save on energy costs.

When replacing old downlights with LED downlights, it's important to make sure that the new LED downlights are compatible with your existing fixtures and wiring. Some LED downlights are designed to be retrofitted into existing fixtures, while others may require a complete fixture replacement.

How do you change low voltage downlights to LED lights?

➜ Turn off the power supply: Before you start replacing the downlights, turn off the power supply to the lights by switching off the corresponding circuit breaker at the main power supply box.

➜ Remove the existing low voltage downlights: Gently twist the existing low voltage downlights counterclockwise to remove them from the ceiling. If there is any resistance, use a suction cup to pull them out.

➜ Remove the transformer: Low voltage downlights typically require a transformer to convert the electrical current to a lower voltage. To install LED downlights, the transformer needs to be removed or bypassed. Depending on the type of transformer and installation, you may need to seek the advice of a licensed electrician to safely remove or bypass the transformer.

➜ Install the LED downlights: Take the LED downlights and insert them into the ceiling hole. Gently push the downlights upwards into the ceiling hole and turn them clockwise to secure them. Make sure that the pins are properly aligned before inserting them into the socket.

➜ Connect the wiring: Connect the wiring of the LED downlights to the corresponding wiring in the ceiling using wire connectors or terminals. Make sure that the wiring is properly connected and insulated.

➜ Turn on the power supply: Once you have replaced the low voltage downlights with LED downlights, turn the power supply back on by flipping the corresponding circuit breaker at the main power supply box. Test the LED downlights by switching them on to make sure they are working properly.