The comfort of a home also depends on efficient and stylish lighting. The chandelier is the device that best meets this requirement. You can install it even if no hook or other fixing system is in place . We will show you how to do it in your home.
The essential preparation step
To successfully hang your chandelier without a hook, you will need to start by giving yourself time to prepare. This includes gathering all the tools required to carry out the operation , namely:
- The cutting pliers
- The wire stripper
- The stepladder
- The electrician's screwdriver
- The current tester
- The pencil
In addition to these, of course, you will also need your chandelier and its bulb.
Because here we are talking about installing a chandelier without a hook, you will also need dowels . These should be chosen according to the weight of the chandelier to be installed. If it is a small chandelier weighing less than 3 kg, its fixing will have to be done with toggle dowels.
A heavier chandelier, weighing 3 to 10 kg, requires, on the other hand, a rail mounting system. Finally, if the lighting device has a weight exceeding 10 kg, it will be better to plan an installation in the supporting structure of the ceiling.
Need to remove the old chandelier and choose the right type of installation
First of all, you will need to protect yourself from any risk of incident. So remember to cut off the power. This can be done by removing the fuse in the room in which you are going to work or by cutting off the general supply by activating the circuit breaker .
To make sure that the power is no longer reaching the switch, do a test. After that, you can uninstall the old chandelier and its bulb. Do not touch the electrical installation, however, because you will need it very much.
It may be that the hook of the old chandelier is compatible with the new one. In this case, the installation will be simpler. However, this is not the type of installation that interests us here. We will therefore focus on hanging a chandelier, when there is no hook on site yet.
The installation itself
This actual installation of the chandelier must therefore begin with the installation of the fixing system. This implies the need to drill a hole near the electrical wires before installation.
Next, you will need to install the hook that came with the new lighting fixture. If there is no hook in the box, you can get one from a hardware store. Make sure it is sturdy, as this element will be used to support the chandelier.
To ensure that the hook is securely fixed to the ceiling, use a suitable anchor. If it is a hollow body, opt for a toggle anchor. For a solid body, a metal anchor is preferable.
To continue the operation, you will need to slightly undress the wires before twisting them. Remember to connect them afterwards, following the NF conventions relating to colors:
- Red or brown for phase,
- Blue for the neutral wire,
- Green and yellow for the ground wire.
Use XTP quick connectors or terminals to ensure the luminaire is connected.
Before finishing the operation, it is necessary to thread the light cord into the hook or suspension bar. All that remains is to hide the wires by reassembling the cable cover supplied with the chandelier.
Complete the operation by installing the bulb
After the installation is complete, it will be necessary to move on to the step of installing the bulb. This implies the need to first ensure that the power corresponds to the permitted one and that the bulb is adapted to the room to be lit.
A bulb with too much power will tend to damage the base, and even damage the base. If you have opted for a chandelier made of flammable material, fabric or paper, avoid bulbs that tend to heat up too much, whether they are halogen or incandescent.
Will your installation be carried out on a ceiling where there is no electrical supply? You will have no other better options than to tap the connection into a socket or another light fixture. You will then have to deploy the cables under a duct to the location chosen for the installation .
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