How to Change a Swimming Pool Light

How to change a swimming pool light bulb or fixture without lowering the water level in the pool is an easy task for a competent home handyman.

Many pools and spas have an underwater light to illuminate the pool at night for swimming and bathing. Eventually all light bulbs burn out and light fittings become corroded by water and pool chemicals.

The cost of a replacement LED pool light starts at around $50.

Replace the light bulb or the complete light fixture without lowering the water level below the pool light. A pool light fitting is a sealed, waterproof unit within a mounting case. Remove the light fixture from the mounting case and lift it out of the pool. There will be excess cable inside the mounting case to enable you to change the bulb at the side of the pool. Open the light fixture and replace the bulb. If the light fixture is corroded or damaged replace the whole fixture.

The most important step in the process is to turn off the power supply to the pool before you do anything. If you encounter any electrical problems call a licenced electrical contractor to solve the problem.

How to Change a Swimming Pool Light Bulb

How to change a swimming pool light bulb is simply a matter of removing the light fitting from the pool and replacing the bulb. It’s more involved than changing a household light bulb but follow our procedure and you can do-it-yourself.

The first thing you need to do is source a replacement light bulb and the best place for that is online. Please ensure the voltage and socket size is the same.

Install modern LED lights to reduce your electricity bills for pool lighting by up to 80% over old fashioned incandescent lights. LED lights last up to 15 years which is a much longer lifespan than incandescent or fluorescent lights. The LED bulbs are smaller, easier to fit and produce less heat than conventional lights. And LED lights emit a better quality light that is easier on your eyes.

Why not install a multi-color light that changes color. It’s a great feature for those summer night pool parties.

Pool light bulbs and gasket seals are relatively inexpensive when purchased online.

The cost of labor to change a swimming pool light is expensive as electrical contractors will charge a standard callout fee before they do any work. But if you’re not comfortable or competent to change the pool light yourself call an electrical contractor.

Follow our procedure to change your pool light bulb:

Turn Off the Power to the Pool

Do not change your pool light bulb at night. Only change it during the day when you can see what you are doing and do not need power for home lighting.

Switch off the power to your swimming pool lighting. I recommend turning off the power to all your pool equipment to be extra safe. There is no need to have the filter pump operating while changing the light bulb.

Look in your circuit breaker box and switch off the breakers for your pool.

Some properties have a separate circuit breaker box for the swimming pool. It’s usually located near the filtration system. Switch off all power in the pool circuit breaker box.

Check the Power is Off (the most important step)

Test your pool lights are inactivated by flicking on the pool light switch. Ensure the light(s) do not work. Leave the light switch in the off position as an extra level of protection against electrical supply to the light.

Test all other pool equipment to ensure it‘s all switched off at the mains power supply. You don’t want any active power supply to the swimming pool area.

Remove the Pool Light Fixture

There is no need to drain the pool water to below the level of the pool light. However, if you want to drain the pool water that’s ok. Just remember that you have to add more pool salt and chemicals to re-balance the water after filling it up again.

When removing the light fixture some people find it easier to get into the pool whereas others like to hang over the edge and dangle their arms into the water. You may need to wear a diver’s mask or goggles to see what you are doing.

Most pool light fittings have a single fastening screw at the top of the fixture. Usually it’s a brass Phillips type screw that won’t easily corrode. Unscrew this fastener and remove the whole light fixture.

Sometimes you will need to use a flat head screwdriver to loosen the fixture from its mounting case. Gently lever around the light fixture to lift it out of the mounting. Be careful not to damage the light mounting case in the wall.

There will be excess power cable inside the mounting case to enable you to change the bulb at the side of the pool. Sometimes you may need to uncoil the power cable to remove the light.

Pull out the light fitting from the mounting case and lift it out of the pool. Place the light on a towel at the edge of the pool.

Open the Pool Light Fixture

Open your light fixture by removing the lens cover from the fitting. Some models have mounting screws to hold the lens in place while for other models you simply twist off the lens cover.

Warning: Do not get the inside of the light fixture wet.

Inspect the rubber gasket seal that fits between the light fitting and the lens. If the rubber seal has any signs of wear replace it with a new seal.

Remove the Old Light Bulb

Unscrew the old light bulb in a counter clockwise direction to remove it from the light fixture. You may need a cloth or glove to grip the bulb. If you cannot remove the bulb or the bulb is corroded into the socket you will need to purchase a completely new light fixture.

Clean inside the light fitting, if necessary.

Purchase a new bulb online to match the specifications of your existing bulb. If you haven’t already, now is your chance to upgrade to LED or colored lighting.

Install a New Light Bulb

Screw the new bulb into the fitting in a clockwise direction. Only use light pressure to screw the bulb into the socket. Do not over tighten the bulb in the socket as it will be difficult to remove in the future. I recommend tightening the bulb and loosening it again to make sure you are not over tightening the bulb in the socket.

When installing a quart halogen bulb wear a glove to prevent touching the bulb. Leaving oil or sweat on the bulb can cause it to burn out before its normal lifespan.

I highly recommend LED lights as they are easy to install, operate at a low temperature and last a long time.

Test the light works before re-installing the light fixture back into the pool.

Turn on the power at the circuit breaker and light switch. Check the light is working.

If you have a replacement halogen light only leave the light on for 5 or 10 seconds as they become very hot out of water. These lights are designed to work immersed in water to keep the light cool.

Turn Off the Power Again

Switch off the power again before re-installing the light fixture back into the pool. It’s always better to be safe than dead.

Reinstall the Pool Light Fixture

Replace the rubber seal and lens cover on the light fixture.

Warning: Do not get water the inside of the light fixture.

Reassemble the light fixture and ensure it is water tight.

Check the rubber gasket seal is compressed between the fixture and the lens.

Submerge the light fixture underwater and check there are no obvious leaks or bubbles from the light fitting. If there are leaks or bubbles do not install the light. Remove it from the water and open the light fixture. Dry it out and check the gasket seal again before installing back into the pool.

Feed the excess power cable back into the mounting case or wrap the cable around the light fixture.

Install the light fixture back into the pool mounting case inside of the pool wall.

Replace all screws or other connectors to fasten the light fixture into position.

Turn On the Power

Switch on your circuit breakers to the swimming pool.

Turn on the pool light switch and check the lights are working. Great! Job finished.

Warning: If the circuit breaker trips and cuts out the power supply to the lights there is a short circuit or water in the light fitting. Call a licensed electrical contractor to fix the problem.

How to Change a Swimming Pool Light Fixture

When the existing pool light fixture is very old, has been damaged or is badly corroded you must replace it with a completely new pool light fixture.

This involves re-wiring the new light fixture into the pool mounting case in the wall of the pool. If you do not feel comfortable running a new wire through the conduit pipe to the pool call a licensed electrical contractor.

Earthing Your Swimming Pool Light

All swimming pools are connected to pumps, filters, lights, heaters, chlorinators and other electrical equipment. If this equipment is incorrectly installed there is the danger that you could receive an electrical shock from your pool.

Some pool owners are unaware that their swimming pool light needs to be earthed to comply with electrical safety standards. There is the possibility that a person can suffer an electric shock from an electrical current in the pool water caused by an electrical fault in the pool light.

An equipotential bond (earthing) is required to all metal structures around the pool including steel reinforcing in the pool shell, pool light fittings, support structures, handrails and fences.

Only use a licensed electrical contractor familiar with swimming pools to install and earth an underwater pool light.

Please read our article on Swimming Pool & Hot Tub Safety

Conclusion

A competent home handyman can change a swimming pool light bulb or fixture by following the above procedure and watching the videos. However, if at any time you become concerned with the process call a licensed electrical contractor familiar with swimming pools to install that underwater pool light bulb.