Changing light fixtures...?

Do you need to turn off power on breaker panel? Or can you just turn off power switch in room?
Changing light fixtures...?
It's safest to turn off power at the breaker. However, if you know for sure that the power source goes to the switch box first and that the wiring is done correctly at the switch box so that only a switch loop is running through the fixture box then you could turn the switch off to change the fixture.



This is a big %26quot;IF%26quot; because you never know the experience level or state of mind of who may have wired the light fixture.



On the other hand, often power goes to the fixture box first in which case you should turn off the breaker. Sometimes the wiring is done improperly in the switch box so that one line going to the fixture is hot even though the light in the fixture does not come on. This is common when inexperienced people install multi-way switches (more than one switch controls the light fixture).



You may want to pick up a non-contact voltage tester for around $10 from your local building supply or hardware store to check the wires in the boxes to make sure none are hot.
Changing light fixtures...?
You might get away with just turning off the switch but it is more prudent to shut off the breaker. In about half of the fixtures the live supply wires first go through the box that has the switch. If so then that would be OK. If however the live wires come in from the fixture and then head to the switch then you would still have live wires at the fixture you are working on.



If you have one of those little AC detectors that buzz in the presence of live wires you could use that to check. But is is much easier to just shut off the breaker.
I would turn off breaker box.
It can be done without turning power off at all, but be safe, turn off the breaker.
Do yourself a big favor and turn off the breaker..switch doesnt always stop it all...plus someone could walk in the room and hit the switch without thinking
The safest is turn the power off at the breaker. There can be unknown voltage to an outlet (especially in older homes) that the wall switch won't stop.
Turn off the circuit breaker to be safe.