The task becomes more complicated when, having come home with a new thing, you find that the new chandelier is attached to the bar, and a hook sticks out of the ceiling after the old one. How to hang a chandelier with a bar on a hook, where to start?
If the hook is built into the floor slab during construction and is located in a recess, then you can use it to your advantage as additional installation strength. Take the steel wire and fasten it to the hook in such a way that two free edges come off, pass them through the holes for fastening on the bar, tighten the wire, pressing the rail to the ceiling, fix it. Then screw the strip to the ceiling using fasteners with a smaller diameter than the hole for it, putting on a washer at the beginning.
In a situation where the hook still gets in the way, bend it with a hammer to the ceiling and attach the chandelier to the mounting plate.
How to hang a chandelier on a hook?
If the hook was not provided for by the construction, then it is easier than ever to make it, given the material of the floor.
When installing to a concrete ceiling, you need to drill a hole with a 7-8 cm long drill bit, insert a plastic dowel, and screw a threaded metal hook into it until it stops. Such fasteners will withstand a chandelier no heavier than 4 kg.
If the ceiling is wooden, screw the hook without a dowel, directly into the ceiling.
Can a ceiling chandelier be hung on a hook if the ceiling is plasterboard?
You can, only you need to screw the hook into the main ceiling, and fill the height between the base and drywall with a metal chain and hang the chandelier on the link.
When the weight of the chandelier exceeds 5 kg, for installation you need to purchase anchor bolts with a spacer hook, with a diameter of 10-12 mm. Drill a hole for the anchor of the required diameter, insert the mount, knock on it and turn it all the way. When clamped, such bolts expand along the entire length and provide reliable fastening - the chandelier will hang for years.
Traditionally, it is believed that connecting a chandelier is a complex matter that must be performed by a professional electrician. But, there is nothing difficult in connecting two or four wires, so any man can easily hang a new chandelier in his house with his own hands.
Connecting a chandelier in a new home
If this is a newly built private house, and if it is being built on its own, then everything starts with wiring. Usually, it is done internally. Although, you can also use external wiring, which is hidden in a decorative casing.
Internal wiring
A special groove is made in a concrete, brick or wooden wall for electrical wires. This groove is called a groove. You can make it either with a special device, a chasing cutter, or with an ordinary chisel. In the case of a wooden wall, a chisel. The same groove is made in the ceiling.
Create a conduit for wires
The wire is placed in a special casing, which is closed from above during the interior decoration of the room. Do not forget about the junction box, from which the wires should diverge to the chandelier, to other lamps, to the outlet and to the switch.
Junction box
The presence of a junction box will facilitate the replacement of a piece of electrical wiring if necessary.
External wiring
The principle of laying external wiring is the same, with the only difference that the strobe is not made, and the wire is fixed directly to the wall in an insulating decorative casing.
The wires in the insulating casing are hidden in the wall
If the switch is single-key, then two wires go from it to the chandelier. And if the two-key - then four. Usually, the pairs of wires in the chandelier itself are of different colors, so there are no problems with the connection.
One-button switch wiring diagram
When conducting the wiring, it must be borne in mind that to connect the chandelier, it is necessary to leave sufficiently long ends. So it will be more convenient to connect it. The surplus can always be hidden either in a hole in the wall or behind a decorative chandelier cover.
Chandelier mounting types
There are chandeliers that are quite heavy. And the safety of people under it depends on how well it is fixed. How it will be attached must be decided by looking at the fastening provided by the manufacturer. Usually, it is of two types:
- fastening with a bar;
- fastening with a hook.
How to hang a chandelier with a bar
Almost all modern chandeliers are fastened with a plank. It is a strip of metal that is fixed to the ceiling with self-tapping screws. For the fastening to be reliable, you need to drill two holes in the ceiling. Plastic chopiks are hammered into the holes, to which the bar is attached with self-tapping screws. Self-tapping screws, entering the chopiks, expand them, which makes such a fastening even more reliable.
Photo: fixing the chandelier with a strip
After the strip is fixed to the ceiling, you need to connect the wires to the chandelier. Here it is better to use the services of an assistant who will hold the product. Although, you can temporarily hang the chandelier at some distance from the ceiling using a strong and thin nylon rope. And having connected the wires, outweigh it as it should hang. In this case, one person can do all the work.
You should always use a stepladder for this kind of work. Stools, tables, etc. do not need to be stacked on top of each other. This is hazardous to your health.
The fastening of the wires can be different. On modern products, special couplings are sometimes made at the ends of the wires. The wires that protrude from the ceiling are inserted into these sleeves and secured with a bolt. If there are no couplings, then the ends of the wiring and the wires of the chandelier are simply twisted together. They curl exactly. You cannot connect wires simply by making hooks at their ends, as the connection must be strong.
Photo: wire connections using a terminal block
Everything is insulated with high quality insulating tape. If the wires are copper, consisting of many cores, then before connecting all the cores must be twisted together. Of course, the ends of the wires must first be cleaned of insulation.
On modern chandeliers, at the ends of the wires, there are special couplings for connection: you just need to squeeze the spring with a button or a lever, insert the wire and that's it!
After the wires are fastened and insulated, you need to lift the chandelier and hang it on the bar. Usually, there is no difficulty with this. Each chandelier has a decorative cover with which you can close the ends of the wires. This work is facilitated when, when channeled, in the place where the chandelier will hang, provide an additional recess.
How to hang a chandelier on a hook
If fastening to the bar is not provided, then a hole is drilled in the ceiling, a plastic chopik is driven into it, and a hook is screwed into it. Usually, the beak is equipped with a special lock, which is driven into the drilled hole and further expands the spacer by screwing it in. The concrete ceiling is drilled with a victory drill to a depth of about 7-8 cm.
Hanging a chandelier with your own hands is not so difficult. A person who does not have experience in carrying out such procedures may at first be frightened by the need to work with electricity. However, no serious knowledge is required to complete this task. To install a chandelier on the ceiling, you need to carry out only two operations: connect it to the electrical network and secure it.
Safety engineering
Before embarking on any electrical work, you need to take care of safety. Fastening a chandelier involves contact with wires through which a high voltage current flows, so this issue must be approached with utmost seriousness. Here are some basic guidelines and guidelines:
- all electrical work must be carried out with the power off (you can simply turn off the circuit breaker in the dashboard);
- after turning off the machine, it is worthwhile to play it safe and check the absence of light;
- having checked the absence of voltage in the wires with an indicator screwdriver, you can safely proceed with the installation;
- Often, a Chinese manufacturer in the manufacture of chandeliers resorts to the use of low-quality materials, so their choice should be treated more carefully.
How do I locate the wiring in the ceiling?
Before you hang the chandelier on the concrete ceiling, you need to know the exact location of the electrical wiring. If this is not done, when drilling the holes for the chandelier fasteners, you can easily drill the wires. The search process should be carried out at a time when current flows in the wires. Therefore, this procedure can be divided into the following stages:
- Power outage.
- Installation of a temporary socket with a light bulb.
- Electricity supply.
- Turning on a temporary light.
There are many devices from different price categories for locating live wires. This device must be guided perpendicular to the line along which the wiring is supposed to run. In the place where the phase is detected, it is necessary to put a mark, and then continue to move the indicator. The next mark is placed at the point where the phase disappears.
For control, these steps should be repeated in the opposite direction. In the interval between the resulting marks, the wiring is laid. Now you can safely drill holes for fasteners and hang a chandelier.
Methods for attaching a chandelier to the ceiling
If everything became clear with the wiring, now the question arises: what are the ways of fixing the chandelier? Today, the three most common technologies are most often practiced, allowing you to quickly and easily hang a ceiling chandelier. Relatively lightweight products can be fixed on hooks. In cases with heavier lighting fixtures, the use of anchor bolts is provided. In addition, there are chandeliers that are attached to a bar (bracket). Another way is to mount it directly to the concrete ceiling.
How to hang a chandelier on a hook?
The simplest fixing for a chandelier to the ceiling is a hanging hook. To fix it in the ceiling, a hole with a diameter of about 8 mm must be drilled. If the weight of the chandelier does not exceed one and a half kilograms, you can use a regular threaded hook, which is screwed into the dowel inserted into the hole. For heavier products, expansion anchors with a diameter of at least 10 mm should be used.
If you plan to fix the hook in a dowel, it is recommended to choose a grooved one. Such fasteners are better fixed in the ceiling. The screwed-in hook should be wrapped in two layers of insulating tape.
After these manipulations, it is necessary to connect the wires from the chandelier to the mains. This can be done both with the help of ordinary twisting, and by resorting to the use of terminal blocks, which are most often included in the package of most lighting fixtures.
The next step is to attach the chandelier to the hook, and then move the special decorative overlay as tightly as possible to the ceiling surface. This bowl will hide all wire connections. This completes the installation of the chandelier. The main disadvantage of this mount is the gap between the ceiling and the lining. It can be either a couple of millimeters or 1–2 cm.
It is important to understand that the installation of a chandelier on a plasterboard ceiling in this case is fraught with unpleasant situations. If lightweight products can still hold out, then drywall will not withstand heavy lighting fixtures. The hook must be fixed to the frame, so its installation must be planned while the ceiling is being constructed.
How to hang a chandelier with a bar?
There is a way to fix the chandelier without a hook. This procedure is a little more complicated, but quite doable.
The kit should include a special mount for the chandelier to the ceiling. This fastener is called a bracket. This bar for the chandelier must be attached to the ceiling, and then mark for drilling the holes for the dowels. In the bracket itself, you need to fix a couple of screws. In this case, the distance between them should be equal to the distance between the holes on the decorative cover.
After fixing the bracket, connect the wires. You can only hang a chandelier of this type with an assistant, since it will be very difficult for one to do this. One should hold it, and the second should deal with the connection to the mains.
At the next stage, you need to get the screws fixed in the bracket into the holes of the decorative cover, and then tighten the nuts. As soon as the lamp is installed and the operation is checked, the procedure for attaching the ceiling chandelier can be considered complete.
Fixing ceiling lights directly to the ceiling
Often, such fasteners are used for small chandeliers and light fixtures. On the back of such products there are always several holes designed for fixing to the surface. If the base is made of wood, you can fix the ceiling lamp directly on the screws. If you want to hang the lamp on a concrete ceiling, you first need to drill holes for the dowels, and then fix it.
Installation under a one-button switch
If anyone can hang a chandelier on a concrete ceiling, then connecting to the mains is sometimes difficult. Most of the chandeliers installed today have two conductors. According to the standard marking, the blue or white-blue wire is zero, and the white or brown wire is the phase.
If your home hasn't changed the wiring for a long time, there will be two aluminum conductors in the ceiling. As a rule, they are not marked, however, you can determine where is zero, and where the phase is, using an indicator screwdriver. If the wiring is relatively new, there will be three wires in the ceiling: zero, phase and ground. We will not need the third one, so it can be insulated and bent to the side.
If the chandelier has two or more shades, the wires emanating from them must be connected together. Zero must be connected to zero and phase to phase. After that, the zero from the mains is connected to the connection of the zeros from the chandelier, the same with the phase. Further, you can already fix the chandelier to the ceiling.
When hanging lighting fixtures, you need to understand that it is not recommended to connect directly aluminum and copper wires. Over time, such a contact will begin to oxidize, and the connection itself will lose strength, as a result of which the twist will begin to overheat. At best, the chandelier will fail, at worst - the wiring. In such situations, the chandeliers can only be hung by connecting wires using terminal blocks.
Installation under a two-button switch
If you want to install a chandelier under a two-button switch (that is, one key turns on only a part of the bulbs, and two keys together - all the bulbs at the same time), the principle changes slightly. In this case, all the zeros of the chandelier are connected together and connected to the zero of the mains, and the phases are divided into groups.
In the first group, it is necessary to combine all the phase conductors of the lamps, which should light up from the first switch, in the second - from the second. Next, the first group is connected to the phase coming from the first key, the second - to the phase from the second key. The installation of the chandelier can be considered complete after it is attached.
How to check the strength of the mount?
After completing all the procedures, be sure to do a check. Small flaws can slip away from your sight, so it's worth immediately visually determining the quality of the work. The wires must be completely hidden under the decorative cover.
You can determine the reliability of the fastening by slightly loosening the luminaire. Well, the main indicator is a performance check. If, after turning on all the keys of the switch, the bulbs lit up, and the wiring did not sparkle, then you installed the chandelier on the ceiling correctly!
It would seem, what could be easier than hanging a chandelier? But even in the simplest case, some nuances may arise. Consider several variations of fasteners used to securely mount chandeliers.
Installation of most types of fasteners is very simple. Self-tapping screws are most often used. The diameter of the self-tapping screw will completely depend 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 dwelling has rather low ceilings, then you better buy ceiling lamps that do not have a rod.
Note! When working on high ground with electrical wires, be aware that even a light electric shock can cause you to fall and be injured.
Carefully! We work with electricity!
Before installing an electric lighting item, check the presence of phases. The zero wire will always be common. Phase, 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 damping resistor with a neon lamp. Outwardly, it resembles an ordinary screwdriver. When using the indicator, lightly pinch it with your index and middle fingers. When doing this, use only your right hand. As a rule, the clamping point is color-coded 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 sting when determining the phases.
- Turn off all plugs initially.
- Strip the ends of the wires on the ceiling and be sure to separate them to the sides to avoid short circuits.
- Then the plugs are turned on.
- If you have a double switch, then there will be two phase wires, and if there is a single one, then, respectively, 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 carry out a phase break. The neutral wire runs directly when it comes to a single-pole switch. In fact, this process is not as complicated as it might seem at first. However, if you have not previously worked with electricity, do not risk it.
Location of the wiring in the base ceiling
Before you start drilling the holes for mounting the mounts, you need to determine where the wiring is. Otherwise, the chances are high that you will interrupt her. You need to search in wires that are under electric current. This procedure takes place in the following sequence:
- The first step is to turn off the jams on the meter.
- The lamp holder is temporarily connected.
- After that, you can turn on the plugs and, accordingly, the switch again. Now you can search for 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 the elements that carry current.
There are special devices designed for this purpose. However, they are quite expensive. If your wiring was sunk into the grooves, then the error in the readings of the device may be five centimeters. In contrast, the indicator gives a result 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 should be carried out perpendicular to the intended direction of the wiring. If a phase icon appears on the display, make a mark here. Continue driving the indicator. When the phase icon disappears, re-mark. Then the same procedure must be repeated in the opposite direction. In the middle between the internal marks is the wiring. Next, you should continue the process in the same way. So, you need to do it before the completion of the working area.
Standard types of fasteners
Installing a chandelier on conventional mounts boils down to the fact that you will need to distribute the power wiring through the lamp sections. To bring the wires into the chandelier, it is checked in which of them the phase. The ground wire simply needs to be bent. Typically, in chandeliers, the ground wire is indicated in yellow, along which a green strip runs. 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 cartridges, and combine them with the neutral wire of the network. Now you can start connecting the phase wires. The connection is similar. The phase wires are connected to the phase wire coming from the breaker. Slide the cap into place, and the work on connecting the chandelier to the electrical network will be completed.
No wire markings?
If the wires of your chandelier are not marked and there is no terminal block, then the chandelier should ring. The procedure is carried out using an ordinary tester. Remember that ringing the chandelier with a control lamp from a 220 V network can be dangerous to your life. Don't experiment with electricity! In order to carry out a continuity, screw the same bulbs into all the chandelier sockets, not only in terms of power, but also of the brand. It is better in this case to use low-power incandescent lamps - no more than 25 watts. Just do not use economy lamps, because it is impossible to dial with them!
The image of the chandelier circuit shows that if the resistance of one lamp is equal to R, then, therefore, there will be R between zero and ФІ. Accordingly, between zero and ФІІ - 0.5 R, between the phases there will be 1.5 R. For continuity of three wires, you should take six measurements. To understand this scheme, you need to remember Ohm's law, which everyone went through the school curriculum.
Custom chandelier
Nowadays, there are often chandeliers that are equipped with a remote control. So, you can adjust the degree of illumination of the room. Some chandeliers are equipped with an air ionizer, fan, or even an evaporating unit from an air conditioner. If you follow some rules when choosing lighting fixtures of this type, then you can even hang a non-standard chandelier correctly.
- When choosing a chandelier, see how you should connect it. In addition to the terminal block, other wires may also be present in the device. If you do not know their purpose, then ask the seller for instructions and carefully read it.
- Suppose that according to the instructions it is not entirely clear how to independently install a non-standard chandelier. Then it is better to entrust this work to a qualified specialist.
- Remember that chandeliers equipped with additional features 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 typical fixing, 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 difficulty: low ceiling
The most acceptable option for a low ceiling would be a chandelier-shade mounted on a cross bar. What if there is no desire to mount the plafond 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 plate, and then cut it so that it is hidden under the hood. Drill new holes in the strip, which will be used for screwing in the self-tapping screws. Now you need to upgrade the chandelier:
- Remove the shades and any fragile parts that are 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 the holes are subsequently hidden under the hood.
- Pull the fishing line into these holes - 3 pieces. Screw it to the ends of the wires, and then wrap it tightly with a narrow tape.
- Put the rod back in its original place. Gently slide it over the wires, pulling the pieces of line in parallel. Continue doing this until the ends of the wires come out of the holes. If the wire gets caught, use tweezers or a wire hook to correct it.
- If it is impossible to remove the rod on your chandelier, then insert the pieces of fishing line into the holes made one by one. Start at the bottom and run the wires into them in the same way.
- Now re-enter the wires into the terminal strip.
This modification is necessary in order to lead the wires to the side. Thus, 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 from the side.
At this stage, you will need to install a mounting bar on the rod located between the two standard nuts, which will help to subsequently attach the fixture to the ceiling using self-tapping screws. Now connect the wires. If there is not enough space for the terminal block, then remove it.
Note! To avoid problems with flashing lights, do not twist the wires. To achieve the maximum expected result, you will have to solder the wires, and insulate the joints using simple electrical tape.
Second difficulty: plasterboard ceiling
The weight of the chandelier plays an important role in the hanging process. For example, if a lighting fixture weighs no more than 3 kg, then it is best to fix it with a butterfly. This fastener has a plastic sleeve and, in addition, a screw hook. Drill holes in the ceiling according to the holes in the cage. Then screw the hook into the clip a few turns. Insert the clip all the way into the corresponding hole and tighten the hook carefully. The plastic clip opens from the inside into petals that fix the hook.
If the chandelier you purchased has a weight in the region of 5-7 kg, then you can fix it on 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 bought is heavy and exceeds 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 the collet pin, drill a hole in the base concrete ceiling (through the drywall) corresponding to the diameter and length of the sleeve. Thread it into the hairpin, and then insert it into the hole until it stops, screw it in. The collet will now open and wedge inside the ceiling. The threaded end will remain outside. A hook with a threaded socket should be screwed onto it.
It is worth considering, however, that hanging the chandelier on a hook through a layer of drywall may turn out to be unreliable. This is because the collet rubs against the drywall sheet, thereby destroying it. In view of this, it is better to choose chandeliers equipped with a console mount.
The third difficulty: stretch ceiling
The most difficult thing is to hang a chandelier on a stretch ceiling. The first thing to consider is that incandescent lamps cannot be screwed into chandeliers installed on stretch ceilings. Even from a 40 W incandescent lamp, after a month spots are formed on the ceiling, and after three months it will creep away altogether. In addition, it should be borne in mind that economical light bulbs in chandeliers-plafonds 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 stretch ceiling! Any attempt to make a hole in it is prone to collapse, because the fabric or film will instantly disperse, because of which you will have to change it.
The best option is to call specialists who install stretch ceilings. However, before that, you still have to prepare the base for attaching the chandelier. Ordinary fasteners are not designed for mounting a chandelier in a stretch ceiling. In view of this, if you are going to hang the chandelier on a hook, it must be fixed in the ceiling well in advance. If an I-beam or a mounting plate acts as an attachment, then a pillow must be attached to the concrete ceiling, which is made of waterproof MDF or BS plywood. Its thickness should be at least 1.6 cm. Do not install a wooden cushion made of ordinary plywood. This is due to the fact that this material dries up over time, which can lead to an accident.
Before making a hole in the stretch ceiling film, you need to measure the pillow. After that, the hole must be framed with a grommet. Using long fasteners, the chandelier is suspended. Here the gap for the "play" of the stretch ceiling must be taken into account. In the event that a larger hole is required, then they can be additionally secured with a spider.
Note! If you want to sink a chandelier into the ceiling, the first step is to install the chandelier, and then the ceiling itself. However, remember that a chandelier as lighting in a composition with a stretch ceiling is not the best option. Why? The fact is that due to the uneven load, the ceiling will sag over time, due to which its appearance will be lost.
The fourth difficulty: the absence of a hook on the ceiling
If you follow the work sequence below, you can successfully install a reliable screw hook.
- First, drill a hole. It should be slightly larger than the mounting bolt.
- Two wires with a diameter of 0.8-1.2 mm are screwed onto the hook thread. At the same time, leave 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 pre-drilled in the ceiling must be moistened.
- After that, a gypsum solution is prepared. By its consistency, it should resemble sour cream.
- Then the hole must be filled with this mixture. Until the solution has time to grab, the hook is carefully inserted, onto which the wire was previously wound.
- It remains only to wait until it dries completely. This will take approximately 2 hours. To achieve the most effective result, it is better to wait a day. Then you can hang the chandelier.
If the hook you are using is to be fastened with self-tapping screws, then make the 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 a solution separately, due to the fact that it hardens quickly. It is interesting that such nests can last for more than one century. They, unlike plastic, do not dry out. Moreover, when the hook is screwed in and out three times, the socket will not loosen. If necessary, it can simply be cleaned of the old filler using a narrow chisel and renewed. If you need to plaster the surface of the ceiling, then plaster the plaster-alabaster nest too. After hardening, you can re-make the hole for the hook in the same place.
Do you have experience in fixing lighting fixtures to different types of ceilings? Maybe you faced unforeseen difficulties in the process of performing work? How did you deal with them? Share your experience with us! We value your knowledge! Write us your comments on the article!
Video
Watch a detailed video on how to hang and connect a chandelier:
Schemes
One of the last stages of apartment renovation is the installation and connection of lighting sources. Despite the popularity of plasterboard and tension counterparts, the classic in the form of a painted ceiling will always remain popular. With its arrangement, the height of the rooms remains unchanged. While drywall and tension, due to the frame, they eat up precious centimeters. And if these options involve the installation of a hidden guide for lighting, then what to do with the classic option? How to hang a chandelier on a concrete ceiling? Let's take a closer look.
Mounting methods
There are three methods of fixing chandeliers to:
- With a hook. This is one of the popular methods that allows you to mount fairly large lamps, including on a leg.
- Hanging bracket. This method makes it possible to install lamps designed for low ceilings. These lamps are not massive, they have a low height, they are pressed close to the ceiling.
- On a cross bar. This method is designed for weighty structures.
The question "how to hang a chandelier on a concrete ceiling" largely depends on the chosen model of the light source.
and wiring
Concrete structures are canvases with hollow channels.
A cable for lighting is laid through these holes. In new buildings, three-core grounding wires are provided. This feature does not make it possible to carry out the installation option with a switch for two keys, since, of course, it is possible to attach a chandelier to a concrete ceiling, but you will need to use a four-core cable. It is best to consult a professional electrician for this process. Or abandon the idea of a two-button switch.
Lighting selection
The abundance of lighting fixtures sometimes makes it difficult to choose a lighting source. Besides, the market is flooded with a lot of low-quality Chinese products. When selecting, you should take into account a number of nuances:
- Design. Most often, it is for him that lighting is selected. It can be a set of a ceiling lamp and a sconce, or just a chandelier.
- How many buttons will be connected. If at the installation site there are only 2 wires on the ceiling, then the 2-key connection should not be considered. And accordingly, it is better not to purchase multi-track lamps. Otherwise, large electricity bills will come in the future. Or, you will need to install the appropriate wiring.
- Ceiling height. Massive chandeliers will look out of place in low rooms, and, conversely, on high ceilings, a small lamp will be lost.
- Dimensions of the room. If the room is large, it is better to provide two light sources. When zoning, both the same models and different ones can be used.
Given these features, you can choose the right type of lighting. in this case, it will not be difficult, and he himself will fit into the design ergonomically.
Features of modern lamps
Nowadays, lighting is striking in its variety and options.
There are models with built-in fans, various modes through the remote control, using more lamps with 12 W consumption. All these products can have additional connection blocks in their design. In such cases, the installation instructions are requested from the seller. And if you are not sure that you can do it yourself, it is better to call an electrician who knows exactly how to hang a chandelier on a concrete ceiling.
Preparation and safety
There are several important points at this stage of work:
- Electricity is best done during daylight hours. This will make the job easier. You will not need additional lighting in the form of flashlights, and, accordingly, an assistant.
- Prepare the tool. These are: a drill or perforator with the desired type of drill / drill, an indicator screwdriver, an ordinary screwdriver and a key for assembling a chandelier, a fastener, electrical tape, pliers.
- Turn off the electricity in the panel before installation.
- Dismantle old lighting, if any.
- Separate the ends of the wires. Connect electricity. Determine phase and zero using an indicator screwdriver. When in contact with the bare end and pressing a button on the tool, the screwdriver lights up - phase, no - zero. Insulate the ends.
- Determine the location of the wiring in the ceiling space. Floor slabs have hollow channels that are used for cable laying. For these works, a special electronic detector is used. Experienced owners always draw up or request a wiring diagram during electrical installation. In the future, this allows you to avoid many problems even with simple operations (such as "driving a nail into the wall").
- Since hanging a chandelier on a concrete ceiling is, by and large, quite simple, but the process itself is unsafe, one should not forget about disconnecting electricity from the shield at the time of dismantling, installing and connecting the chandelier. This will avoid the risk of electric shock.
Assembling the chandelier
Depending on the complexity of the design, you may need instructions for assembling the lighting device.
The process can be difficult when you need to hang a chandelier on a two-key connection system. Such installation allows you to further adjust the degree of illumination in the room by turning on all the lamps or some of them.
For this, a model with such a connection capability is selected, or the existing option is slightly modernized if:
- A two-wire wire comes out in the lighting device for connecting to the network - it can be replaced with a three-wire one (phase, phase, zero).
- The lamp has a three-core cable, but one of the wires is designed for grounding (it has a yellow color with a green stripe). If the house is old, then there is usually no grounding for the chandeliers. Therefore, this wiring can be used to connect to the second phase.
If you need to hang a chandelier on a two-button switch, then one group of horns is connected to the first phase, the second to the other.
Having assembled and prepared the lighting device, proceed to the installation of the fastening element. Consider all types.
Hook fasteners
Previously, this was the type of mount used for lamps. In such cases, after dismantling the old lighting, a new chandelier should be hung on the existing fasteners. If this type of fixation is not provided, then you should first purchase it. The market today allows you to choose the best option for any case. Here are some of the products:
- Petal hook. This type is suitable if the hole fell on the void in the slab. When installing it, the petals open and securely fix the hook.
- Ceiling A drill is selected that corresponds to the diameter of the anchor, a hole is made, fasteners are inserted, the element is tightened.
- Folding spring dowel with ring, bar, hook. A hole is drilled according to the diameter of the element, fasteners are inserted, twisted. In this case, plaster mortar is sometimes used for greater reliability. The hole is filled with the mixture and then the dowel is installed. Time is given to solidify.
- Steel screw with ring, L-shaped hook with plastic dowel. It is mounted according to the previous version.
Since hanging a ceiling chandelier, as we have already mentioned, can be done quickly enough, however, the process itself is fraught with the risk of getting an electric shock, it is better to pre-insulate the wires coming out of the ceiling.
Suspension bracket fasteners
The fixing bar and fasteners for it are included with the lamp.
But it is better to buy more powerful dowels. This will be a more reliable option, especially if you are not particularly sure that you know exactly how to hang a chandelier from a concrete ceiling. The hole for each hole is first marked with a pencil. Drilled, dowels are inserted, a fixing bar is applied and fixed with self-tapping screws. In this fastening method, you can also use mortar to increase the strength of the fastening. It is important to screw the bolts onto it to secure the chandelier before fixing the strip. The cross bar is mounted in the same way.
Final stage
After installing the fastener, you can begin to consider the question of "how to attach a chandelier to a concrete ceiling." For this:
- The electricity is turned off in the dashboard.
- The insulation is removed from the wires of the ceiling cable.
- A terminal connection is made or by twisting and electrical tape.
- The chandelier is fixed to the fastener.
There are a number of features for each type of chandelier.
For models with fixation on a hook, the lamp is hung on it and the wires are connected. And then they cover it with a special decorative cap. Lighting with mounting on a bracket: the fixing cover from the lamp is fixed, the wires are connected, the lamp is attached to the cover. After installation, check the correctness of the connection, alternately turning on the keys. If the short circuit did not occur, then it was possible to correctly hang the chandelier with your own hands.
Copper and aluminum cable
In old houses you can still find modern lamps equipped with copper wires for connection. In such cases, the connection is made only using special terminals.
Otherwise, the installation performed will not meet fire safety standards. And this, in the end, can lead to sad consequences. So, we looked at how to properly hang a chandelier to a concrete ceiling with our own hands. The complexity of installation lies only in the discrepancy between the number of cores of the ceiling cable and the wire of the chandelier. These problems can be solved if you have confidence in your abilities. But since working with electricity is fraught with health risks, it is better to trust a professional.