The question “How to hang a chandelier correctly?” can be divided into two parts: connecting the chandelier to the electrical network and directly mounting the chandelier on the ceiling. Connecting a chandelier requires knowledge of electrical basics, but figuring it out is not very difficult.
To install the chandelier with your own hands, you will need the following tools:
- stepladder or table;
- electric drill (perforator);
- pliers with insulated handles;
- indicator screwdriver;
- wire cutters;
- a Phillips screwdriver with a thin blade;
- insulating tape;
- mounting block for clamping wires.
Modern chandeliers have two types of mounts. The first is a loop that clings to a hook in the ceiling. In this case, the place of suspension is covered with a decorative overlay - a cup.
Second option - mounting plate , which is fixed on the ceiling and to which the chandelier is then attached. Here the decorative overlay is also a fastening element.
Hanging on a hook
A hanging hook is the simplest option for attaching a chandelier. At first need to make a hole in the ceiling next to the wires coming out of it, with a diameter of at least 8 mm. For this purpose it is used hammer drill or a hammer drill.
It is recommended to install the hook using anchor systems. There are different types of anchors.
If the chandelier is small, weighing 1-1.5 kg, you can use a regular hook with a screw thread, which is screwed into plastic stopper– dowel. For heavier chandeliers, expansion metal anchors are required, with a length of 50 mm and a cross-section of 10 mm.
When using plastic dowels, it is better to take corrugated ones, with a length of 40 mm. Smooth dowels do not hold well in the slab. After fixing the dowel, a hook is screwed into it, or an expansion anchor is installed. The hook should be insulated with two layers of electrical tape.
Next, the chandelier wires need to be connected to the wires coming from the switch using a special block with clamping bolts - a terminal block. To tighten the bolts you will need a slotted screwdriver with a narrow blade. This block is included with the chandelier. If it is not there, the wires are twisted and wrapped with insulating tape.
Then you need to move the decorative cup close to the ceiling, moving it along the tubular base of the chandelier, and fix it. The decorative cover will hide the electrical wiring terminals and wire connections. The disadvantage of this type of fastening is that sometimes the height of the decorative cup is not enough, and an unsightly gap remains between it and the ceiling. Before fixing the decorative cup, you need to check the quality of the chandelier connection.
Under no circumstances should the hook be attached to sheets of drywall, as it may not support the weight of the chandelier. When installing a ceiling made of plasterboard or suspended ceiling, you need to leave a hole in it for the hook to come out along with the wires.
If the chandelier is without a hook
The process of attaching a chandelier using a metal strip is somewhat more complicated. In this case, the metal bar takes on the entire load. If there is a hook from an old chandelier in the ceiling, it should be removed.
The plank is applied to the ceiling at in the right place and the points for drilling holes for dowels are marked with a pencil. Then holes are drilled in the ceiling and dowels are fixed in them. Next, mounting bolts are inserted into the bar at a distance equal to the distance between the holes for mounting on the decorative box of the chandelier, and secured with nuts. After this, the plank is placed on the ceiling and secured with self-tapping screws.
It is better to do the next stage of work together, since it will not work alone. Need to put decorative box to the bar so that the mounting bolts fit into the holes on the box, and before that connect the wires of the chandelier and the switch.
One person should hold the chandelier and the other should connect the wires, since it is impossible to do this with one hand. After the chandelier is connected and the bolts of the strip coincide with the holes of the box, it is pressed to the ceiling and secured with decorative nuts. All connecting wiring is hidden under a decorative box.
When installing suspended ceilings, you need to prepare in advance the basis for attaching the mounting strip at the ceiling level. It could be simple wooden block required height. The plank is attached to the block with ordinary self-tapping screws.
How to hang a chandelier on plasterboard: if the ceiling is made of plasterboard, metal dowels that can withstand a load of up to 15 kg, or butterfly-shaped dowels are used as fastenings for the strip.
Connection diagram
First of all, you need to turn off the electricity using the circuit breaker located in the electrical panel on landing. The absence of voltage is checked with an indicator screwdriver.
There should be three wires on the ceiling: one is “zero”, the other two are “phase”. The insulation is removed from the wires; the length of the exposed tip should be approximately 3-4 cm. Separate the wires in different directions to avoid short circuits.
Then you need to turn on the electricity again to determine which of the wires are phase. To do this, touch each of the wires with an indicator screwdriver. If the wire is a “phase”, then the indicator will light up; if the indicator is not lit, then it is “zero”. It is advisable to mark “zero” with electrical tape. If you have a voltmeter, it is better to use it, because working under voltage is still dangerous.
IN modern houses the wires are color-coded: the blue wire is “zero”, the brown wire is “phase”, maybe even yellow is grounding. The chandelier should be accompanied by instructions with recommendations for its installation. If it states that the design of the lamp involves grounding, this must be taken into account.
The phase wires are led out to the switch, the “zero” goes into the installation box.
If the switch is single-key, you first need to connect the wiring in the chandelier itself. The blue ones from each light bulb are connected to other blue ones, brown ones to brown ones. The “zero” wire from the ceiling is connected to the “zero” wire from the chandelier. The phase wires from the ceiling and the chandelier are also connected to each other.
If there is no color marking, then you can arbitrarily connect one wire from each light bulb and similarly connect the remaining wires together. Lead one connection to the “neutral” wire on the ceiling, the other to the phase.
You should know that you cannot twist copper and aluminum wires together. An electron pair from these two metals causes destruction of the contact. A special block is used to connect such wires.
Connecting a chandelier to a double switch
With a two-key switch, you need to make sure that when you turn on one key, only part of the lamps light up, when you turn on the second, the rest, and when you turn on both keys, all the lamps come on together.
If there are only two lampshades, connecting a chandelier with 3 wires is carried out in the same way: “zero” is connected to “zero”, both phases are connected to each other.
The phases of the chandelier wires, if they do not have markings, are determined as follows: the wires are plugged in pairs into the socket, and there is no need to touch the third wire. You need to find a position for the wires such that one of them is constantly in the socket, and when you connect one or the other of the remaining two, first one or the other lamp lights up. Then the wire that is always in the socket will be “zero”, the other two will be phase wires.
If there are several light bulbs, you need to divide them into two groups: which ones will turn on from the first switch key and which ones from the second. Then take one identical wire from each light bulb (phase or “zero”) and connect them together.
Divide the remaining wires into two parts depending on the designated groups and also connect them together - you get two twists. A twist containing wires from all the light bulbs is connected to the “zero” wire. The other two twists are separately connected to the two phase wires.
To ensure reliable connection of wires from the chandelier and wires coming from the ceiling, it is better to use terminal blocks not with screws, but with clamps. They are suitable for both aluminum wires, and for copper.
Hello, dear readers and site visitors.
After purchasing a chandelier, the question always arises of how to install it. In this article I will tell you how to hang a lamp or chandelier without calling specialists.
There is nothing complicated about this and you can easily do it on your own. But some subtleties and nuances need to be mentioned.
There are several ways to mount and install a chandelier in the ceiling:
- on a metal hook
- on a bracket or bar
- directly to the surface
Let's look at each fastening method in more detail.
Installing a chandelier using a hook
This is the simplest and convenient way chandelier mountings. We hang it on a metal hook pre-installed on the ceiling. My example shows an old-style metal hook installed during the construction of the house.
1. How to hang a light chandelier
If the chandelier is not heavy and weighs up to 3-4 (kg), then you can use a metal hook like this with a thread.
Using a hammer drill, we drill a hole in the ceiling, insert a plastic dowel into it and screw in the hook. The chandelier mount is ready.
Also, using a metal hook with a thread, you can install the chandelier in a ceiling with wooden floor. The hook just needs to be screwed into wooden base ceiling.
I would like to draw your attention to the following. Installing a hook in a plasterboard ceiling is prohibited. In this case, the metal hook must be attached to concrete base ceiling.
2. How to hang a heavy chandelier
If the chandelier is heavy and weighs more than 5 (kg), then it is better to use special anchor bolts with a diameter of 10 sq. mm. with spacer hook.
Drill a hole in the ceiling of the required diameter. After that, insert the anchor into it and tighten it until it stops. This chandelier mount is very reliable.
Chandeliers that are designed to be installed on a hook have a special decorative cup.
The cup moves freely in height and is fixed in the upper position to hide places.
Installation of a chandelier using a bracket (bar)
Now we will look at how to install a chandelier without a metal hook. I consider this method of fastening somewhat more complicated than the previous one, but not so complicated as to resort to paid services specialists.
Included with the purchased chandelier is a special metal bracket or strip. We install 2 screws into this bracket or bar, adjusting the distance between them, and then tighten them with nuts. After this, we attach the bracket to the ceiling using a hammer drill and two dowel nails.
Previously, a chandelier on a metal hook was installed in this place. Purchased new chandelier It is attached using a bracket, so I bent the hook towards the ceiling, which you can see in the photo. You can even cut off the hook, but in this position it doesn’t bother me at all.
Tighten the two fastening decorative nuts.
The chandelier is installed and ready for use.
I won’t dwell on this now, because... this is the topic of a separate article. Read in upcoming issues.
P.S. So, in this article we learned how to install a chandelier using metal hooks, brackets and directly to the surface. Now let's move on to connecting it. Read about this in my next articles.
It would seem that what could be easier than hanging a chandelier? But even in the simplest case, some nuances may arise. Let's look at several variations of fasteners used for reliable installation of chandeliers.
Installation of most types of fasteners is very simple. Self-tapping screws are most often used. The diameter of the screw will depend entirely on the mounting hole, which is located on the mounting plate. Their length should be at least 4 cm and no more than 6 cm. If your home is quite different low ceilings, then you are better off purchasing shade chandeliers that do not have a rod.
Note! Working at elevated levels electrical wires Please note that even a mild electric shock can cause you to fall and be injured.
Carefully! We work with electricity!
Before installing an electric lighting item, check for the presence of phases. The neutral wire will always be common. Phase ones, in turn, are connected through a switch to the lamp. The indicator will help you determine the zero phase. As for the indicator, it can be of two types: electronic or with a quenching resistor having a neon light bulb. Outwardly, it resembles an ordinary screwdriver. While using the indicator, lightly pinch it with your fingers (index and middle fingers). In this case, only use right hand. As a rule, the clamping location is indicated by color or has special notches. It is also equipped with a special safety cuff that separates it from the sting. It is not recommended to touch the tip when determining phases.
- First turn off all plugs.
- Bare the ends of the wires on the ceiling and be sure to move them apart to avoid short circuits.
- Then the plugs turn on.
- If you have double switch, then there will be two phase wires, and if it is single, then, accordingly, one. In order to check the phases, you only need to turn off the switch. In this case, the indicator will not respond. If a phase is detected, then it is necessary to break the phase. The neutral wire is started directly if we're talking about about a single-pole switch. In fact, this process is not as complicated as it might seem at first. However, if you have not worked with electricity before, do not take risks.
Location of wiring in the base ceiling
Before you begin drilling holes to mount the mounts, you will need to determine where the wiring is located. Otherwise, there is a high probability that you will interrupt her. You need to look in the wires located under electric shock. This procedure takes place in the following sequence:
- The first step is to turn off the plugs on the meter.
- The light bulb socket is temporarily connected.
- After which you can turn on the plugs and, accordingly, the switch again. Now you can look for the wiring.
Note! To achieve the fastest possible result, it is better to use an electronic indicator, because its analogue with a neon lamp works only with direct contact with elements carrying current.
Exist special devices, intended for this purpose. However, they have a fairly high price. If your wiring was recessed into grooves, then the error in the device readings may be five centimeters. In contrast, the indicator gives results with maximum accuracy, where the error is up to two centimeters.
Move the device along the ceiling with your finger on the button. The movement of the device must be perpendicular to the intended direction of wiring. If the phase icon appears on the display, make a mark in this place. Continue leading the indicator. When the phase icon disappears, mark it again. Then the same procedure must be repeated in the opposite direction. The wiring is located in the middle between the inner marks. Next, you should continue the process in the same way. So, you need to do it before the end of the work area.
Standard types of fastenings
Installing a chandelier on conventional mounts comes down to the fact that you will need to route the power wiring to the lamp sections. To insert wires into the chandelier, check which of them is in phase. The ground wire just needs to be bent. Usually in chandeliers the ground wire is designated yellow, along which there is a green stripe. In addition, all wires will be routed into a connector or terminal block.
Connect the neutral wire first, connect together all the neutral wires coming from the sockets, and combine them with the neutral wire of the network. Now you can start connecting the phase wires. The connection is the same. The phase wires are connected to the phase wire coming from the switch. Slide the cap into place, and the work of connecting the chandelier to the electrical network is completed.
No wire markings?
If the wires of your chandelier do not have markings and a terminal block, then the chandelier should be ringed. The procedure is carried out using an ordinary tester. Remember that calling a chandelier with a control light from a 220 V network can be dangerous to your life. Don't experiment with electricity! In order to carry out the dialing, screw the same light bulbs into all chandelier sockets, not only in terms of power, but also of brand. In this case, it is better to use low-power incandescent lamps - no more than 25 W. Just don’t use economy lamps, because it’s impossible to dial through them!
The image of the chandelier circuit shows that if the resistance of one lamp is equal to R, then, therefore, between zero and ФІ there will be R. Accordingly, between zero and ФІІ - 0.5 R, between phases there will be 1.5 R. For continuity of three wires, you should take six measurements. To understand this diagram, you need to remember Ohm's law, which everyone studied in the school curriculum.
Custom chandelier
Nowadays, there are often chandeliers that are equipped with a remote control. remote control. So, you can adjust the level of illumination in the room. Some chandeliers are equipped with an air ionizer, a fan, or even an evaporative unit from an air conditioner. If you follow some rules when choosing lighting fixtures of this type, you will be able to hang even a non-standard chandelier correctly.
- When choosing a chandelier, look at how it should be connected. In addition to the terminal block, other wires may be present in the device. If you do not know their purpose, ask the seller for instructions and read them carefully.
- Let's assume that the instructions are not entirely clear on how to install a non-standard chandelier yourself. Then it is better to entrust this work to a qualified specialist.
- Remember that chandeliers equipped with additional functions will cost much more than their conventional counterparts. It is often very difficult to find specialists who could connect them.
We hang chandeliers in difficult situations
How to hang a chandelier on the ceiling if there is no standard mount or its use is impossible? To do this, you will need a tool for working on wood, stone, drywall or concrete. Now you can get to work.
First challenge: low ceiling
The most acceptable option for a low ceiling would be a ceiling chandelier mounted on a cross bar. What if you don’t want to install a lampshade in a low room? 10-15 cm can be gained by hanging a chandelier with a rod on the ceiling without using a hook.
To do this, you need to straighten the standard mounting strip and then cut it so that it is hidden under the hood. Drill new holes in the plank, which will be intended for screwing in self-tapping screws. Now you need to improve the chandelier:
- Remove the lampshades and any fragile parts present. If possible, remove the rod immediately.
- Pull the wires out of the terminal block.
- Immediately behind the thread, drill 3 holes along the rod, 4-5 mm in diameter. Make sure that all holes are subsequently hidden under the cap.
- Thread 3 pieces of fishing line into these holes. Screw it to the ends of the wires, and then wrap it tightly with narrow tape.
- Place the rod in its original place. Carefully slide it over the wires, pulling the pieces of fishing line in parallel. Continue doing this until the ends of the wires come out of the holes. If the wire gets caught, straighten it with tweezers or a wire hook.
- If the rod on your chandelier cannot be removed, then insert the pieces of fishing line into the holes made one by one. Start from the bottom and route the wires into them in the same way.
- Now reinsert the wires into the terminal block.
This modification is necessary in order to bring the wires out from the side. This way they will be as close to the ceiling as possible. If the rod on the chandelier cannot be removed or it is made in the form of some kind of figure, then do not remove the cap. Otherwise, you won’t be able to put it on because of the wires sticking out on the side.
At this stage, you will need to install a mounting strip on the rod located between two standard nuts, which will help you subsequently attach the lighting fixture to the ceiling using self-tapping screws. Now connect the wires. If there is not enough space for the terminal block, remove it.
Note! To avoid problems with flickering lights, do not twist the wires together. To achieve the maximum expected result, you will have to solder the wires together and insulate the joints using simple electrical tape.
Second difficulty: plasterboard ceiling
The weight of the chandelier plays important role in the process of hanging it. For example, if a lighting fixture weighs no more than 3 kg, then it is best to secure it with a butterfly. This fastener has a plastic cage and, in addition, a screw hook. Drill holes in the ceiling according to the holes in the frame. Then screw the hook into the cage a few turns. Insert the clip all the way into the corresponding hole and carefully tighten the hook. The plastic clip opens from the inside into petals that secure the hook.
If the chandelier you purchased weighs around 5-7 kg, then you can attach it to the so-called cantilever strips. It is recommended to use a butterfly dowel for each attachment point. In the process of tightening the self-tapping screw, the butterfly gradually opens from the inside, so that a reliable fastening is formed.
If the chandelier you purchased is heavy and weighs more than 7 kg, then in order to hang it, you will need to use a collet pin, the diameter of which should be 1.2 cm.
To install a collet stud, drill a hole in the base concrete ceiling (through the drywall) that matches the diameter and length of the collet. Thread it into the pin, and then insert it into the hole until it stops, screw it in. Now the collet will separate and wedge itself inside the ceiling. The threaded end will remain on the outside. A hook with a threaded socket should be screwed onto it.
However, it is worth considering that hanging a chandelier on a hook through a layer of drywall may not be reliable. This is because the collet rubs against the sheet of drywall, thereby destroying it. In view of this, it is better to choose chandeliers equipped console view fastenings
Third difficulty: suspended ceiling
The most difficult thing is to hang a chandelier on a suspended ceiling. The first thing that is important to consider is that incandescent lamps cannot be screwed into chandeliers installed on suspended ceilings. Even from a 40 W incandescent lamp, spots form on the ceiling after a month, and after three months it will completely creep away. In addition, it should be taken into account that economical light bulbs in chandeliers recessed into the ceiling will quickly burn out. This is due to poor heat transfer. The most successful option is to install LED lamps.
Note! It is impossible to install a chandelier in an already installed suspended ceiling! Any attempt to make a hole in it is subject to failure, because the fabric or film will instantly come apart, which is why you will have to change it.
The best option is to call specialists who install suspended ceilings. However, before that, you still have to prepare the base for mounting the chandelier. Ordinary fasteners are not designed for mounting a chandelier in a suspended ceiling. In view of this, if you are going to hang the chandelier on a hook, it must be fixed in the ceiling in advance. If the fastening is an I-beam or a mounting strip, then a cushion made of waterproof MDF or BS plywood must be attached to the concrete ceiling. Its thickness should be at least 1.6 cm. You should not install a wooden pillow made of ordinary plywood. This is due to the fact that this material dries out over time, which can lead to an accident.
Before making a hole in the stretch ceiling film, you need to measure the pillow. Afterwards, the hole must be framed with a grommet. The chandelier is hung using long fasteners. Here the gap for the “play” of the stretch ceiling must be taken into account. In case it is necessary larger hole, then they can be additionally secured with a spider.
Note! If you want to recess a chandelier into the ceiling, then first install the chandelier, and then the ceiling itself. However, remember, a chandelier as lighting in a composition with suspended ceiling not the best the best option. Why? The fact is that due to the uneven load, the ceiling will sag over time, which is why it appearance will be lost.
Fourth difficulty: lack of a hook on the ceiling
If you take into account the work sequence presented below, you will be able to successfully install a reliable hook screw.
- First, drill a hole. It should be slightly larger than the mounting bolt.
- Two wires having a diameter of 0.8-1.2 mm are wound onto the hook thread. In this case, leave the antennae 1 cm on both sides, spread them 90° from each other. Visually, they should be perpendicular to each other and diverge in four different directions.
- The hole previously drilled in the ceiling must be wetted.
- Afterwards, a gypsum solution is prepared. Its consistency should resemble sour cream.
- Then the hole must be filled with this mixture. Before the solution has time to set, carefully insert the hook onto which the wire was previously wound.
- All you have to do is wait for it to dry completely. This will take approximately 2 hours. To achieve the most effective results, it is better to wait a day. Afterwards you can hang the chandelier.
If the hook you use must be fastened with self-tapping screws, then make sockets for them in the same way as described above. However, take a thinner wire; its thickness can be 0.4-0.6 mm. For each nest you will need to make the solution separately, due to the fact that it hardens quickly. Interestingly, such nests can last for centuries. They, unlike plastic, do not dry out. Moreover, when screwing and unscrewing the hook three times, the socket will not become loose. If necessary, you can simply clean it of old filler using a narrow chisel and renew it. If you need to plaster the surface of the ceiling, then plaster the gypsum-alabaster nest too. After hardening, you can make the hole for the hook again in the same place.
Do you have experience attaching lighting fixtures to different types ceiling? Perhaps you encountered unexpected difficulties during the work process? How did you deal with them? Share your experience with us! We value your knowledge! Write us your comments on the article!
Video
Look detailed video on how to hang and connect a chandelier:
Scheme
The chandelier lighting fixture is also decorative element with a lot of weight, and complex design. Mounting the luminaire requires increased attention, since the safety of the residents of the premises depends on the strength of the installation. Installation of the lamp can be done in several ways, but in any case it is important to follow safety precautions for mounting the device and check the grounding of the electrical wiring.
Tools for work
- screwdrivers;
- drill;
- fasteners;
- pliers;
- ladder;
- connection terminals;
- tool for checking current in electrical wires.
Types of chandelier fastenings to concrete ceilings
Types of chandelier fastenings to concrete ceiling are different. The chandelier is installed using the following fasteners:
- The hook is reliable and popular look fastenings It is not difficult to install and has the ability to replace the lighting fixture with another.
- Anchors are used when necessary to attach to heavy, large chandeliers.
- When attaching a chandelier with a mounting strip, a thin strip is installed, screwed close to the ceiling. This type of installation is a complex process, but it will allow the chandelier to fit tightly and firmly to the ceiling and hide the wiring.
On the hook
Before fastening lighting fixture to a concrete ceiling with a built-in hook, first of all check the strength of its installation. To do this, select a weight the size of the selected chandelier, secure it, and then pull it with force. Badly installed fasteners starts to wobble or falls out completely, in which case the hook needs to be replaced.
To install the hook, you need to make a hole in the ceiling using a hammer drill and install a collet, followed by mounting the fastening element into it. A pin is placed in the collet and a hook is hung; it is also possible to screw the hook directly into the collet. Before screwing the hook into the thread, you need to lubricate the hole with a thin layer of thick lubricant and screw two copper wires. Next, one hundred grams of gypsum solution is prepared, which in consistency will resemble thick sour cream. After which the hole is filled with a stick, it is important to remember that the gypsum mixture hardens quickly, so the filling of the solution into the thread should be carried out accordingly.
The hook is immediately placed into the solution before it has time to harden and the excess mixture is removed. Wait for the solution to cool until room temperature, this will happen after 2 hours or more. After the final setting of the gypsum mixture, they begin to fasten the lighting fixture.
Anchor
Anchors are used to work with durable concrete ceilings that can withstand heavy lighting fixtures. A large chandelier weighing more than five kilograms is hung on an anchor hook, having first drilled a hole of the required diameter. The fastening element has a spacer, which after installation will move apart and fix the lighting fixture.
Such fastener has an untidy appearance and thereby spoils the design of the premises. To hide protruding and protruding connecting elements, installation of chandeliers is carried out using decorative bowls, which will hide the mounting fittings. The anchor fasteners are made of metal, which allows them to withstand heavy lighting elements.
The lighting fixture is mounted using a mounting strip on a plasterboard ceiling, which is not designed for heavy loads. In order not to disturb the weak load-bearing structure, you need to strengthen the mounting location of the lamp. They think about the future type of fasteners even at the stage of installing the frame. Depending on the size of the fastening elements of the lighting device, the form of installation of the profiles is selected, which can be laid parallel or in the form of a square or rectangle.
Before you begin installing the fasteners, mark the places where the holes will be located in accordance with the locations of the screws in the plank. Dowels are installed in the recesses and the bar is screwed. If there is a previously installed hook in the concrete ceiling, you should not remove it, as it will come in handy if you need to change the lighting fixture. The lamp is fixed to the bar with screws. Light weight chandeliers are fastened with long self-tapping screws. For heavy-duty devices, fasteners are installed on a ceiling made of concrete or wood.
Mounting the lamp has the following sequence:
It is worth remembering that before installing the lamp, the device is analyzed, i.e. the weight, size and type of fasteners are determined. After the fasteners are installed, proceed to connecting the chandelier to the electrical network.