Do I need to turn the electrics off at the fuse box?

Question

if I am taking off the cover of an outside wall-mounted garden light to change the lightbulb? I think I need to use a screwdriver to get the cover/casing off

Answer 1

I would recommend to turn the power off at the main fuse box to be sure, you don't know how will walk around the corner and switch on the wrong switch accidentally, weather it be during the day or not.

Answer 2

if by removing the cover you will be exposing the circuitry wires then yes shut off the power at the souce.  Not the switch, power can enter the fixture junction box and then go to the the switch and back.

Why did someone thumbs down Hondu, his information is correct.

Answer 3

To be on the safe side. Is there not one trip switch? If not you have a very old box which needs changing!

Answer 4

You probably don't need to worry about it.  Most outdoor/weatherproof fixtures have an outside cover to keep the weather off of it, and an additional cover to keep the lamp from burning the wire insulation.  If you open your cover and see wires... STOP.  Go turn off the power and then change the lamp.  If I were you, and found open wires inside the fixture I would have the fixture replaced or repaired.  It didn't come that way.

Answer 5

  Play it safe and turn off the breaker that feed that circuit.Here what happen to me. I'm a retired electrician,so you would think I would know better.. I was changing the outside light fixture near the front door.I thought about turning off the breaker,but second thought told me I've got the switch off,so I'm safe.Wrong.The guy that had wired the house,broke the neutral thru the switch instead of the hot wire.While changing the fixture,I touched the hot wire(black) and the ground wire at the same time.You know what happen.Zap.I didn't get hurt,but could have.So turn it off.  

Answer 6

You will be just fine if all you plan to do is change the bulb.  However, be aware that just because the control switch is off doesn't mean the light socket isn't hot.  Some circuits are wired so that the load wire is hooked up to the socket, then the switch.  If the light is in a difficult area to reach or there is any danger of you contacting the empty socket, shut off the breaker.  

Answer 7

It shouldn't be necessary just to change a bulb, but better safe than sorry.  As long as the light switch itself is off (is it inside?) you're safe.  It's not like you're getting down to the wires or anything.

Turn off the seitch, replace the bulb and turn it bakc on.  You'll be fine.

Answer 8

No. Just make sure that the wall switch is in the off position.

Answer 9

i wouldn't think so just to take off a cover you are not hitting any electricity are you? your only changing a bulb.