What is the simplest (easiest) method to properly secure the light fixture to a ceiling? Fortunately, the electric box is already in place. I believe the ceiling is drywall
Electrical – How to secure 20 lb light fixture install
electricallight-fixturemount
Related Solutions
If you pulled the wire from the socket then the best way to repair this is to replace the socket unless it happens to have screw terminals on it (I doubt it). If you mistakenly removed a wire nut then you can easily correct this. Wire all black wires together, all whites together, and the grounds together with wire nuts (often they are supplied with the fixture).
The lights should be wired in parallel (white-to-white, etc.), not series. Do not wire black-to-white and black-to-white.
If you are unsure of how to make this repair then the safest thing to do is replace the fixture and/or consult an electrician.
First measure this distance on the light base:
Then check this distance on the existing bracket. (These should be the threaded holes in the bracket).
If those two dimensions match then use the screws B to mount the base to the existing bracket into the threaded holes. You should be able to start the screws into the bracket and then slide the light base over the screw heads in the larger part of the keyhole slots in the base. Then turn the base so the narrow part of the slot goes under the screw heads and tighten the screws till the base is secure against the ceiling.
If the existing bracket does not match then do a sanity check of the new bracket of the measurement between two of its matching pairs of threaded holes as for example:
When you find a pair of threaded holes in the new bracket that match the hole spacing in the light base mark the pair that will be used. Remove the old bracket by removing the two screws as noted here:
Install the new bracket in similar position as the old bracket using the existing screws through the slotted holes of the bracket. Center the new bracket over the box. If it is longer the ends of the new bracket may ride out over the box and rest on the drywall surface. Secure the bracket into place. Then start the screws B into the marked holes. Then, as noted before, slide the light base over the screw heads in the larger part of the keyhole slots in the base. Then turn the base slightly so the narrow part of the slot goes under the screw heads and tighten the screws till the base is secure against the ceiling.
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Best Answer
Toggle bolts. Put them in the drywall on either end. There's no chance it will pull out.
Let me expand on this by telling you a true story. I bought a house that had been reposessed by the bank. I can only assume the previous owners ransacked the place (even the fireplace mantle had been removed) and the bank had hired a contractor to come in and replace all the light fixtures. So he put a new fluorescent light (not dissimilar to yours) up in the kitchen.
With screw-in drywall anchors (insert duhn-duhn-duhnnn here).
This is what my wife walked into one morning not long after we moved in.
The screw-in anchors are rated for the weight, but not the parallel downward force (they're designed for perpendicular force). So I promptly went to the local big-box and bought some toggle bolts. Since I now had two brand-new holes, I only needed to slightly enlarge them to get the toggles through. That fixture hasn't moved since.
The toggles are your best bet because they
Even the smallest toggles are rated far more than your fixture weight (a single 2" toggle is typically rated for 50-70lbs).
So what size do you need? Any size toggle will do, just be sure to check the size of the head. It should cover the hole on your fixture easily, but you might need a washer if the holes are large enough.