How to hang a heavy chandelier on a concrete ceiling. How to hang a chandelier with a hook in the ceiling

Replacing the chandelier in the room, despite the apparent complexity, can be done independently. Since the work will be carried out with electrical equipment, be sure to follow safety precautions.

This includes preparing the tools, choosing the mounting method, installing the device and checking the quality of the connection. Let's consider each stage of the work being carried out.

Security measures

The danger of electrical wiring is the possibility of electric shock. For this reason, a mandatory action before hanging the chandelier is to de-energize the room. To do this, simply open the switchboard and lower its automatic switch. After making sure that the light does not turn on, you need to check the voltage in the wires on the ceiling using a special indicator screwdriver.

Improper fastening can damage the power supply system, causing it to fail over time. In order to prevent possible breakdowns, it is necessary to buy quality products, securing them using terminal blocks, and not standard twists.

Other necessary condition- This is a check of the grounding of the wiring.

Installation tools

The list of tools required to secure the luminaire and place it correctly on the ceiling includes:

  • an electric drill or hammer drill of the appropriate size;
  • stepladder for access to the upper part of the room;
  • screwdriver or manual screwdriver;
  • pliers or pliers for proper crimping;
  • indicator tool for checking the presence of current in the wires;
  • fasteners in the form of hooks or anchors;
  • self-tapping screws with dowels;
  • connecting blocks or terminals.

Anchors are most often used to hang a lighting fixture from a concrete ceiling.

If the house is built of wood and the luminaire is lightweight, standard self-tapping screws will be enough for its installation. Processing plasterboard ceilings is possible by fixing the chandelier with metal screws screwed to the frame made of profiles.

Installation options

In construction, three installation methods are used, provided by factories that produce lighting equipment. Small compact chandeliers can be hung on hooks recessed into the supporting structure. Devices weighing more than five kilograms require additional use of anchor bolts. Other types of apparatus are installed on a bracket or a special rail that is screwed directly to the upper part of the room.

There are also luminaires designed with the expectation of attaching their back cover to walls or ceilings. For their installation, fewer connecting elements are required than when using other methods.

To install the device with a low weight, self-tapping hooks screwed into the ceiling are suitable. After making sure of the strength of the structure, you can hang a loop or a metal chain on this hook, provided for by the structure of the chandelier. This installation method is applicable only to buildings with ceilings made of wood or concrete - you can easily drill a hole in them by fixing a dowel inside.

The hook connection must not be used for plasterboard surfaces - their low strength will cause the lighting fixture to fall under its own weight. The presence of electricity at the installation site also requires careful insulation of the metal parts.

A large and heavy chandelier can be hung from an anchor hook by drilling a hole of the appropriate diameter in the supporting structure. Such a spacer will spread apart and reliably jam the lamp. The presence of protruding hooks and protruding connectors spoils appearance room ceilings.

In order for the finishing to fit well into the design of the room, it is recommended to mount lamps with decorative bowls that hide the mounting hardware.

Some factories are producing lighting equipment equipped with brackets. This makes the purchased chandelier easy to install and improves overall speed. finishing works... For correct installation you will need to press the lamp to the place of its future location and make sure that its decorative elements fit snugly against the supporting surface. After that, on the ceiling, you need to mark the area under the bracket, attaching it in such a way that it does not interfere with the connection of the wires.

When the surface is marked, holes are drilled in it for dowels. To securely fasten the mounting plate, you will need to match the holes in it with the holes made and screw in the screws of a suitable diameter there. In a similar way, the holes of the lamp and the bracket are connected, followed by fastening the screws with decorative nuts.

Back cover

Compact or lightweight units can be mounted on ceilings or walls without pre-drilling. If the luminaire is equipped with shades or other additional elements, they will have to be removed before starting work. This will protect them from damage during a fall, reduce the weight of the devices and greatly facilitate finishing.

The shades of some chandeliers are equipped with holes in the back cover and can be easily fixed using self-tapping screws.

When the fastening of the connecting fittings is completed, the device must be connected to the power supply system. In this case, the open contacts of the switches on the wires should not be energized. In practice, this means that the indicator screwdriver does not glow when touching uninsulated areas. When the power is back on, the indicator should show the voltage on the two wires. The remaining core is ground, connecting to the common bundle.

If the test shows different results, the breaker will not work correctly, disconnecting not the phase, but the ground. This method is acceptable for standard incandescent lamps, but chandeliers with economy lighting will blink at the same time. Economy lamps also cannot be installed for appliances with dimmers.

Appliances with power supply

People often try to increase the brightness of their lamps by replacing their lamps with analogues with higher wattage. Transformers that are not designed for such a load fail, and lamps break with them. In order not to spend money on equipment repairs and not to hang devices again, you need to control the total consumption of lamps - it should not exceed the output power of the chandelier.

Halogen bulbs supplied with modern lamps are designed for 12-volt power supply. Their attachment to supporting structures must be accompanied by the installation of step-down transformers, the voltage of which is indicated at the outputs. During the installation process, a contact with a voltage of 220 volts is connected to the network, and contacts of 12 volts are connected to light bulbs.

Often, after the completion of the repair and the purchase of new lighting fixtures, the question arises of fixing the chandelier to the concrete ceiling. Reliability is of particular importance as accidental dropping of the luminaire can cause injury to people. But an inaccurately installed lamp base spoils the impression of the repair. To avoid unpleasant effects, hang the chandelier correctly, depending on the design.

Different types of fixing ceiling lights

With a large assortment of electricians, it is easy to make a choice, but here there are nuances:

  • the chandelier may have a special ring for hanging on the hook;
  • the decorative base is attached to the mounting plate;
  • some luminaires are installed on the ceiling.

In each case, the fixing for the chandelier to the concrete ceiling is done differently. General only set of tools required in the work:

  • puncher;
  • drills of the required diameter;
  • dowels, anchor bolts with or without hooks.

If the design of the chandelier involves the use of a mounting plate, then you should check its presence in the product kit right in the store. The part is supplied with the luminaire.

When purchasing a chandelier with a hook attachment, buy the correct fasteners here. The lightweight model (3-4 kg) is suspended from the base in the form of a dowel. The heavy ones require special anchors with an expansion hook with a diameter of at least 10 mm. Only in this way will the chandelier on the concrete ceiling be safe.

De-energize the power cable before installing the luminaire. You can check if current is being supplied to one of the protruding wires using an indicator screwdriver. Touch the tip of the appliance to each end of the cable. In case of power supply, the red LED in the screwdriver handle will light up.

Remove shades, decorative pendants and other fragile parts of the structure from the chandelier frame.

Be sure to remove energy saving lamps that contain mercury vapor.

Mounting the chandelier on the hook

In some apartments, it was installed during the construction of the building, but more often you have to do it yourself. Before fixing the fixture to the ceiling, measure the depth of the base trim cover. The hanging element must be completely hidden.

Select the drill diameter so that the dowel and anchor fit into the drilled hole very tightly. The screwed-in fastener slightly expands the plastic or metal capsule, and the installed element is held securely. If a hook with a dowel is selected, screw its screw part all the way into the plastic capsule. When installing the anchor bolt, fully tighten the nut in the base.

Check that it is securely fastened with a weight corresponding to the weight of the luminaire. If the chandelier is small, then it is better to apply force to the fasteners by pulling down and trying to swing in the nest. The check carried out before hanging the chandelier prevents unpleasant surprises during operation.

Place the loop at the end of the lamp shaft onto the fixed hook. Using plastic electrical strips, connect the power cable and the wires of the chandelier. Note that the ground is usually yellow-green, striped, and the phase and zero ends are solid. After connecting, check the correctness of the connection by screwing the lamps into the standard places and pressing the switch. If the appliance does not work, it is possible that the ground connection is reversed with one of the working ends.

After eliminating the malfunction, hide the wires and the suspension hook inside the decorative cap and fix it on the rod.

Mounting on a mounting plate

Remove the fastener part from the package and before hanging the chandelier on the ceiling, install the fastening screws of the decorative base so that they correspond to the cutouts. Move the bolts in the grooves, adjusting the distance to the holes in the cap. Tighten the screws in the desired position.

Installation is carried out as follows:

  1. Level the surface for the bracket installation. Press the plank against the ceiling, mark the location of the dowels.
  2. Punch holes. The drill diameter matches the size of the plastic dowel. Insert the capsules into the holes.
  3. Press the plank against the ceiling, screw in the screws. Tighten the bolts to prevent the bracket from moving when you apply pressure to it.
  4. Connect the luminaire to the cable. Check the functionality of the device.
  5. Place the decorative chandelier base on the mounting strip. Place the screws into the holes. Fasten the nuts and tighten.

At the end of hanging the chandelier on the ceiling, install the shades and other decorative elements in their regular places. Wipe shiny parts with a damp cloth to remove lime dust from them.

How to attach a lamp directly to the floor

Some types of chandeliers do not have any fasteners included. In this case, they are attached directly to the concrete base of the ceiling or wall. There are usually several holes in the body of the decorative rosette. If fastening is done on dowels, the procedure is as follows:

  • mark the location of the cutouts in the floor;
  • drill concrete and insert dowels into the grooves;
  • connect the chandelier to the network;
  • combine the holes on the decorative base and in the ceiling;
  • screw the screws into the plastic slots.

These chandeliers are often lightweight. Therefore, fastening with self-tapping screws is considered reliable.

Sometimes, after buying an apartment, a hole is found in the ceiling, left by the previous tenants. If it is difficult to hang a chandelier on a hook here, you have to putty the hole, drill a new mounting hole for the anchor, waste extra time. A short video demonstrates how to attach a lighting device in such a difficult case (v.1).

Sometimes the number of ends on the power cable and on the luminaire does not match. This is found in appliances with the ability to light only part of the lamps.

Houses with old electrics do not have a ground wire. Sometimes it also happens that the power cable has three cores, and the chandelier has only two connecting ends.

If the difficulty lies in the lack of grounding, then determine the wire on the power cable, which is a phase (the indicator on the screwdriver will light up), turn off the current, connect this wire to one of the ends of the lamp, attach the other to the one remaining on the power cable. After switching on, the chandelier should work. If the lamps are off, then the last attached wire is the ground wire. Disconnect it and attach it to the other free end of the power cable.

When there are only two wire outputs on the ceiling, and there is a grounding wire on the luminaire, it is determined by its two-color color. It is usually clearly visible on a new device. If the chandelier is old and the marking is obscure, determine and connect the phase before installation. After that experimentally find out which of the wires is "zero" and which is "ground", as indicated above. But often there are no problems, and you can see the markings even on an old electrical appliance.

If there is a function to turn on only some lamps, a situation arises when the number of ends on it is more than two or three. In this case, use a plastic connection block. Fix wires of the same color in its sockets on one side. make a jumper from a piece of wire by placing it on the opposite one, as shown in the photo. Connect “zero” to the end (red), connect wires of a different color (white) in pairs or several pieces in the socket. There are only two phases in this case, for different buttons on the switch. Each connects to a separate group of white wires. When you press one button, only part of the lamps lights up, when you turn on the other, all the horns work.

You can hang the chandelier on a hook or on a mounting plate yourself, without the help of specialists. It is important to attach fastener so that it does not jump out of the hole in the concrete. To do this, select the correct drill diameter.

Currently, chandeliers, in addition to their main task - to illuminate the room, also perform the function of a decorative element. Not only safety, but also the degree of lighting of the room, and its interior depends on how correctly the installation of the chandelier is.

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classmates

Before you start installing the chandelier, you need to think about which model to choose, to estimate how it will be in harmony with the interior of the room. Since the assortment of this product in stores is quite wide, before buying, you need to familiarize yourself with the types of chandeliers and the materials from which it can be made.

Types of chandeliers

There are the following types of chandeliers:

  • Ceiling (plafonds). These chandeliers are perfect for almost any room. Shades are usually presented in the form of a ball, square or cube, made of plastic or glass. Shades can be presented not only in different shapes, but also in different colors.
  • Suspensions. Usually installed in a kitchen or large living room. These chandeliers are mounted on a cord, chain or string. Made from glass, fabric or plastic.
  • Classic. Will look great in a spacious room with a high ceiling. They are distinguished by their exquisite and luxurious appearance. They are made of crystal, metal, glass, etc.

Types of fasteners for chandeliers

Many people ask the question of how to hang a chandelier if its owner does not have special knowledge of electricity. First you need to determine what type of fastener is present on the lighting fixture.

Hook for fastening

Usually, the type of fastener depends on the design of the chandelier and the materials from which it is made. The main types of mounts include the following:

  1. Wall-mounted;
  2. Ceiling;
  3. Built-in;
  4. Mixed.

The most common and easy to install is the ceiling mount. The most difficult thing will be the installation of a chandelier with recessed and mixed mounts.

The installation of the chandelier, regardless of the fasteners on which it will be attached, must be carried out according to certain rules:

  • Before installing the device, turn off the power supply. This is the most important condition, since all actions aimed at installing the chandelier and working with wiring can be life-threatening.
  • All bare wires and metal parts of fasteners must be insulated;
  • When directly installing the chandelier, it is better to remove all the shades to avoid them falling. In addition, it is much easier to install a chandelier without weighty elements than with them.

Mount for regular ceilings

Tools Required for Installation

One person can hang a small chandelier, but there are models weighing 8-10 kg, in which case it is recommended to install the device together. During work, the following tools may be needed:

  • Stepladder, table or chair. You can use a bedside table or other securely fixed object that can support the weight of an adult;
  • or, depending on the material on which the device will be installed, as well as the thickness and strength of the walls or ceiling.
  • Stationery knife, hammer, screwdrivers, screwdriver, electrical tape;
  • , anchors, dowels, screws (depending on the fastening).

How to hang a lighting fixture on the wall?

The wall mount is a metal fixture that easily mounts to almost any surface. To install the luminaire on a wall mount, you must:

  • Attach the body of the lighting fixture to the wall;
  • Mark the points on the wall where it will be necessary to make holes;
  • Use a drill or puncher to make holes;
  • Attach the case to the wall;
  • Install the device to the mains through the terminal block. The terminal block is located inside the luminaire and is a small case that contains the contacts necessary for fixing wires and cables;
  • Assemble the lamp and check its operation.

Preparing the wiring for the chandelier

How to hang a chandelier on a ceiling mount?

Before you hang a ceiling chandelier, you need to understand what type of fasteners it has. Typically, ceiling mounts come in two forms:

  1. In the form of a hook. A chandelier with such a mount will be hung on a hook, securely
  2. screwed into the ceiling.
  3. In the form of a bar. In this case, the strip is firmly mounted in the ceiling, and then a chandelier is attached to it.

Both types of fasteners are the most common, and their installation is quite simple and does not require special skills and abilities. Very often, the hook is mounted in the ceiling even during the construction of the house.

Installing a chandelier on a ceiling hook

If a ceiling hook is not provided, then you can install it yourself as follows:

  • Drill a hole;
  • Screw a metal anchor into it;
  • Screw in the hook;
  • Insulate the hook with electrical tape. This procedure is carried out for security reasons.
  • Check for strength and hang the chandelier.

If the ceiling is wooden, you can use a self-tapping hook that screws directly into the ceiling.

The ceiling hook is considered to be the most reliable fixture that can handle even the heaviest lighting fixture.

Chandelier hole in stretch ceiling

Installing the chandelier on the mounting bar

Before you hang the chandelier, you need to secure the bar. For this you need:

  • Attach the bar and mark the place of its intended attachment;
  • Make holes;
  • Install the dowels;
  • Screw in the bar with screws;
  • After making sure that the wires are de-energized, connect the wires to the house wiring;
  • Hang the chandelier so that the decorative cap fits snugly against the ceiling surface.

If there is a hook at the installation site of the strip, it must be bent to the ceiling so that it does not interfere.

Mount on a cross bar

The cross bar is, in fact, a kind of mounting plate. Its advantage is that due to the larger coverage area and more the holes for which it is attached to the ceiling, the cross bar better holds massive chandeliers. Thanks to these factors, it is a better holder than a conventional bar.

Its installation is carried out according to the same rules as on a rectangular bar, with the only difference that more holes will have to be drilled, as a rule, four.

Attaching the hook in the hole

Installation of a chandelier on a suspended or suspended ceiling

The connection diagram of a chandelier to a ceiling made of plasterboard is slightly different from installation on a regular ceiling. If it is necessary to fasten a heavy chandelier to a hook, then a small hole is made in the drywall through which the hook will be mounted in concrete surface... It is not difficult to do this using a special attachment for, for example, wood crowns. It is not possible to attach the hook directly to a suspended or suspended ceiling.

If a small device is attached with a strip, then installation can be done using plastic or metal fasteners on the drywall sheet itself.

Features of installation on a suspended or stretch ceiling

It is better to take care of the fixture for the chandelier before tensioning the new ceiling, since it is very difficult to do a high-quality installation of the lighting fixture on such a ceiling, especially if the chandelier is supposed to be installed independently. The fact is that when creating a hole in a stretch ceiling, the fabric or film begins to creep over time.

For a chandelier installed on such a ceiling, only LED lamps are suitable, since spots appear on the ceiling from ordinary bulbs.

Installed chandelier on a stretch ceiling

Should you install yourself?

Should I call an electrician or can I hang the chandelier with my own hands? This question is most relevant for the owners of a new lighting fixture. In general, following the instructions, everyone can hang a chandelier on their own. An important condition is the observance of safety precautions and power outage during the work performed. If the chandelier has big size or weight, then it is better to do the installation together.

How to hang a chandelier to the ceiling with your own hands? What a question, it would seem. Slide the top cap of the chandelier down, hang it on a hook, connect the wires, pull on the cap - that's all. But even in this, the simplest case, difficulties may arise. Which? Let's figure it out.

How chandeliers are generally suspended

There are four ways to hang chandeliers:

  • The ceiling hook is the oldest and most reliable. Requires a solid ceiling and special fixing in it.
  • Standard mounting plate (bracket) - due to the distribution of the load on several attachment points with a low weight, the chandelier is quite reliable when fastened with dowels-nails into plastic sleeves.
  • A cross-type mounting strip works similarly to a straight mounting strip, but has more attachment points. It is used for chandelier-plafonds adjacent to the ceiling.
  • The I-Beam Mounting Platform is designed for multi-point mounting of heavy chandeliers.

All these mounting methods do not allow you to pull the chandelier close to the ceiling in low rooms. The mounting strips are curved to allow for wire exit. Later in this article, we will describe the modification of the mounting plate, which allows you to press the chandelier close to the ceiling.

Installation of standard chandelier mounts is not complicated: with self-tapping screws in casings-sleeves. The diameter of the self-tapping screws can be determined by the mounting holes in the mounting plate; self-tapping screw length - 40-60 mm. For low ceilings, it is preferable to use ceiling lamps, without a rod.

Much more attention should be paid to safety when installing chandeliers: when working on a hill, even a slight electric shock is fraught with falling and serious injuries. We will also consider various kinds of non-standard situations associated with the suspension and installation of chandeliers: suspended ceiling with a chandelier, how to hang a chandelier on drywall.

Phase indicator and wire phasing

First of all, you need to check the phasing of the wires for the chandelier. The neutral wire (neutral) is common, and the phase wires are connected through the switch to the lamp sections.

The phase / zero of the wiring is determined by a special device - a phase indicator. It can be purchased at any electrical store. The indicator is inexpensive. Phase indicators are available with a neon lamp and a damping resistor and electronic.

The indicator looks like a screwdriver. When using it, the device is lightly clamped between the index and middle fingers of the right hand in the place intended for this; it is either highlighted in color or has a notch and is separated from the tip by a safety cuff. TOUCHING THE STEP OF THE INDICATOR WHILE OPERATING IS DANGEROUS TO LIFE!

When checking the phasing with your thumb, touch a special metal terminal at the end of the device handle, or a button in an electronic indicator, and touch the tested wire with the sting of the indicator. If it is phase, the lamp flashes or the corresponding symbol appears on the display. DO NOT HOLD THE WIRE WITH AN OTHER HAND, EVEN FOR THE INSULATION! The indicator works with ONLY ONE - RIGHT - HAND!

Turn BOTH plugs on / off before checking. Then the ends of the wires for the chandelier sticking out of the ceiling are exposed, the ends are spread apart, the plugs are turned on, and the switch is turned on. A stool is placed on a rubber mat, and from it, with the right hand, an indicator is found for a phase wire or two phase wires if the chandelier switch is double. Then the switch is turned off without touching the plugs, and the phasing is checked again. Now the indicator should not light up when you touch any of the wires.

If the phase remains somewhere, the switch must be switched into a phase gap, and the neutral wire, if the switch is unipolar, must be turned on directly. This work is not difficult, and you do not need to pick the wall. But, if you are not an electrician, then you need to invite a specialist for it. No jokes with electricity go for free.

Search posting

Before drilling holes for fasteners in the ceiling, you need to determine where the wiring lies so that you do not interrupt it when drilling. For reliability, the search for the wiring must be done under load, i.e. under current. Give a load to the wiring as follows:

  1. Turn off the plugs and the chandelier switch.
  2. The wires sticking out of the ceiling are temporarily extended to the floor; the joints are insulated with electrical tape.
  3. Instead of chandelier sections, sockets for incandescent lamps are also temporarily connected.
  4. Light bulbs are screwed into the sockets of at least 60 W, and better - by 100-150 W.
  5. Includes plugs and switch; you can start looking for the wiring.

It is best to search for wiring with an electronic indicator; indicator with neon works only in direct contact with live parts. There are special devices - wire finders, but they are more expensive, and the accuracy is no more than two thicknesses of plaster. If the wiring is also hidden in the grooves, then the error will be about 5 cm, which is not enough. The indicator, at any depth of occurrence, gives an accuracy of 1-2 cm.

The indicator is led by putting your finger on the button, along the ceiling perpendicular to the intended direction of the wiring. When the phase icon appears on the display, make a mark with a pencil and move on. If the icon disappears, a second mark is made.

Then the same place is passed in the opposite direction; you get two pairs of marks. In the middle between the internal and is the wiring. Then they move 15-20 cm along the course and the search is repeated until the end of the working area.

Mounting the chandelier on standard mounts

Installation of the chandelier on standard mountings is reduced to the wiring of the supply wires through the sections of the light bulbs. When checking the phasing of the wiring, the neutral wire must be immediately marked somehow, at least by bending it close to the ceiling with the sting of the indicator. Then the plugs are turned on / off and the wires are inserted into the chandelier.

In modern electrical appliances, the neutral wire is always yellow with a longitudinal green stripe, and all the wires are pre-inserted into the connector - the terminal block. The zero wire of the wiring is connected first: insert it into the zero terminal and tighten the screw. Then connect the phase wires. Push the cap up to its place - the work is over.

And if the wiring in the room is made of two wires? Or grandfather's chandelier, or antique, and you can't see where the phase is, and where is zero?

In the first case, a small piece of wire of the same cross-section (see fig.) Is added to the phase wire (CORKS - OFF!) And both sections of the bulbs are switched on to one phase. The whole chandelier will be turned on by one switch.


Chandelier ringing

If the wires in the chandelier are not marked, and even there is no terminal block, then the chandelier needs to ring. This is done by an ordinary tester. CALLING THE CHANDELIER A 220 V CONTROL LAMP IS DANGEROUS TO LIFE!

To dial in all the chandelier sockets we screw the SAME, i.e. one power and brand, incandescent lamp; better low-power, 15-25 watts. Housekeeping bulbs are not good, they will not ring a bell.

The chandelier diagram is shown in the figure. From it to a person familiar with electrical engineering, or at least not forgetting Ohm's school law, it is clear that if the resistance of one light bulb is R, then there will be R between zero and FI; between zero and ФII - 0.5R, and between phases - 1.5R. To ring three wires in pairs, six measurements are required.

"Special" chandeliers

V recent times chandeliers appeared on sale, equipped with a remote control for adjusting the illumination, a fan, an air ionizer or even an air conditioner (more precisely, its evaporating unit). When purchasing such products, the following rules must be observed:

  • See how it connects right away. If, in addition to the usual terminal block for household wiring, some incomprehensible ends stick out there, ask for instructions and read.
  • If, according to the instructions, it is not clear how to hang such a chandelier yourself, ask if its installation is included in the price of the product, and what are the seller's guarantees.
  • Suddenly the point of sale works on the “sold and forgot” principle, it is better to look for the same thing elsewhere.

Chandeliers with additional functions are quite specific products; there are few firms or craftsmen who install them, and "special" chandeliers are not cheap.

Abnormal situations

And how to properly hang a chandelier on the ceiling if there is no standard mount, or it cannot be used? To do this, you will have to stock up on tools for working on concrete, stone, wood, drywall, and work.

Low ceiling

The standard version is a chandelier-plafond and fastening with a cross bar. But what if the room is low, but you still don't want to put the plafond? In this case, you can gain 10-15 cm by hanging a chandelier with a rod on the ceiling without a hook.

To do this, the standard mounting plate is straightened, cut so that it hides under the cap, and new holes are drilled in it for self-tapping screws. Next, the chandelier needs to be slightly modified:

  1. The shades and, if possible, all fragile parts are removed from the chandelier. It is better, if the design allows, to remove the rod immediately.
  2. The chandelier wires are removed from the terminal block.
  3. In the rod, immediately behind the thread, drilled in a row along the rod, three holes 4-5 mm. You just need to make sure that all of them are then under the hood.
  4. A fishing line is passed through the holes of the removed rod, three pieces. Their ends are attached to the ends of the chandelier wires and wrapped tightly with narrow tape.
  5. They put the rod in place, gently pushing on the wires and pulling the pieces of fishing line until the ends of the wires come out of the holes. If one is caught, it is corrected with a wire hook or tweezers.
  6. If the rod is non-removable, then the pieces of fishing line are inserted into the holes one by one, starting from the bottom, and the wires are also brought out into them.
  7. The wires are re-inserted into the terminal block.

The purpose of this refinement is to bring the wires to the side so that they are not pressed against the ceiling and squeezed by the edge of the rod. Attention: if the rod is fixed or shaped, the cap must remain on it. Otherwise, he will not get dressed later because of the wires sticking out to the side.

Next, a mounting plate is installed on the rod between two standard nuts, and the chandelier is attached to the ceiling with self-tapping screws. Most likely, you will not need nuts: in most chandeliers, the bar is attached to the rod by flaring.

Connect the wires. It may turn out that the terminal block now does not fit in the cap - it's okay, it is completely removed, and the wires are connected by soldering; the joints are insulated with electrical tape. It is not recommended to connect the wires with a twist: later there will be problems with the flashing chandelier.

Now we mount the chandelier to the ceiling with self-tapping screws. We do not wrap the screws tightly into the sleeves, otherwise the chandelier will become oblique.

Option for weak but dense ceilings: laminate, MDF, plywood. Instead of a mounting plate, we make a circle with a diameter of 5 mm less than the inner diameter of the hood. In the center - a hole for the rod; in a circle - 4-6 holes for self-tapping screws. You will also need to make a hole for the wires.

If you need a hook

Fastening a chandelier to a concrete ceiling on a plank or I-beam does not raise any questions. And if the chandelier you like is hooked, but it is not at home? With a little work, you can install a very reliable hook yourself:

  • If a screw hook is used, then a hole with a diameter of 10 mm is drilled in the ceiling larger diameter screw, and the depth - along the length of the thread + 10 mm.
  • Lubricate the hook thread with a thin layer of grease (thick).
  • We tightly screw two copper wires with a diameter of 0.8 - 1.2 mm onto the screw thread. At the beginning and at the end of the thread, leave a 10 mm mustache and dilute them 90 degrees. When viewed from the end of the screw, the whiskers should be perpendicular to four directions.
  • Spray the hole inside from a spray bottle, or stick a richly moistened cloth into it with a stick, hold for 1-2 minutes and take it out.
  • We prepare 50-100 g of alabaster or gypsum mortar; it is convenient to do this with a disposable plastic cup. When mixed with water, the solution heats up. Knead until creamy.
  • Using a stick (not a spatula) as quickly as possible (alabaster and gypsum harden quickly), fill the solution into the hole before filling.
  • Just as quickly, in a still liquid solution, we push the hook with a wire wound on the thread; the whiskers of the wire will bend.
  • We remove the squeezed out solution and wait for it to solidify in the hole. The solution should not only solidify, but also cool to room temperature. To do this, you need at least 2 hours, but it is better to wait a day. The chandelier can now be hung.

If the hook with a support platform for fastening with self-tapping screws, we make the nests for them in the same way, but we take the wire thinner - 0.4-0.6 mm. And you will have to knead a separate portion of the solution for each nest - it hardens very quickly to a mushy state.

Such nests serve for centuries without drying out like plastic. When screwing / unscrewing the hook 2-3 times, the socket does not loosen. If necessary, it can be easily cleaned from filling with a narrow chisel and reworked. A plaster-alabaster nest can be plastered during repairs, and then a hole for a hook can be poked in the plaster.

Chandelier in a stretch ceiling

Installing a chandelier on a stretch ceiling is the most difficult case... First of all: a chandelier with incandescent lamps and a stretch ceiling are incompatible. Even from a three-arm chandelier with 40 W lamps in a month, spots will appear on the ceiling, and within 3 months it will begin to creep. Housekeeping bulbs in chandeliers recessed into the ceiling quickly burn out due to poor heat transfer; here the only option is LED lamps.

Then, installing the chandelier into an existing stretch ceiling is impossible: it will have to be removed and a new one pulled. Trying to cut holes in already stretched ceiling useless - the film or fabric will immediately creep.

And finally, before calling in the ceiling craftsmen, you need to prepare the fixture for the chandelier. The standard fixing of the chandelier is not designed for installation in stretch ceilings, therefore, if the chandelier is hung on a hook, it must be installed in the ceiling in advance.

For mounting on strips or I-beams on the base ceiling, you need to attach a pillow made of waterproof plywood BS or MDF, at least 16 mm thick, on the brackets, as shown in the figure. A pillow made of wood or ordinary plywood in the interceiling space will soon dry out, and it will end in an accident.


According to the installed pillow, the ceilings will take measurements and make holes in the panel, framed by eyelets. Through them, the chandelier will be attached to the pillow with long fasteners, with a gap for the "play" of the ceiling. The wide openings are additionally reinforced with "spider" supports, but this is a subject for a separate discussion.

If it is supposed to drown the chandelier into the stretch ceiling, then it should hang in place during the measurement. But still, the chandelier in the stretch ceiling is not the best way by expenses. Only due to the uneven distribution of the load due to the presence of holes, such a ceiling will sag and lose its appearance rather than solid.

Chandelier on plasterboard ceiling

Attaching a chandelier to a plasterboard ceiling is also not easy, but still easier than in a room with a stretch ceiling. Three cases are possible here:

  • The chandelier weighs up to 3 kg and is attached to a hook. In this case, you need a special butterfly hook. It consists of a specially designed plastic clip and a screw hook. A hole is drilled in the drywall under the butterfly clip, the hook is screwed into the clip for one or two turns. Then the clip is inserted all the way into the hole and the hook is turned to failure. Inner part the butterfly unfolds into petals, which fix the hook.
  • Chandelier - up to 7 kg in weight. In this case, only mounting on strips (console) is permissible. A butterfly dowel is used for each attachment point; just a mole. By design, it is similar to the clip of a butterfly hook, and when the self-tapping screw is screwed into it, it also opens to the sides inside the interceiling space.
  • Heavy chandelier. To hang it on a hook, you need one collet pin of at least 12 mm in diameter; for mounting on a strip - at least two, 8-10 mm each. To install the collet studs in the base ceiling, holes are drilled through the drywall along the diameter of the stud sleeve and depth in its length. The hairpin is screwed a little into the sleeve, inserted through the hole in the drywall into the base ceiling until it stops, and again the hairpin is screwed in until it stops. The collet diverges and wedges in the base ceiling, and there is a threaded end on the outside, onto which you can screw a hook with a threaded socket, or several ends - you can put a pillow on them under the chandelier bracket.

Note: hanging the chandelier on a hook through drywall is unreliable - the collet is held in the ceiling by friction. Therefore, for suspension to plasterboard ceiling it is better to choose cantilever chandeliers.

Lighting is the most important component of any room. V living rooms Traditionally, suspended ceiling lamps are installed - chandeliers that provide an even distribution of light over the entire area. With the same mounting methods used throughout the country, hanging a chandelier was always easy. Modern models may differ in fixing options, there are ceilings made of various materials, so it is worth considering the process in more detail.

Mounting options

Modern ceiling lights are not always designed for the traditional hook mount in the center of the ceiling. They can be equipped with their own fasteners, in the overwhelming majority of cases included in the kit. It happens that one has to deal with a situation where the chandelier is designed for the traditional method of fastening, and the hook is missing for various reasons.

In these cases, it is not necessary to contact a specialist. You can easily fix the chandelier to the ceiling yourself. Installation will not require special skills if you study the features of all options.

Traditional hook

Until recently, all chandeliers were designed to be attached to a hook mounted in the floor slab. This method is still considered the simplest, most convenient and reliable.

The luminaire at the attachment point has a counter ring that is put on the hook. The wire connection, hook and ring are covered with a special decorative cup.

The biggest problem has always been the lack of a hanging ring on the luminaire. This was sometimes found in light kitchen lampshades designed for one lamp. Usually, a not very successful, but simple method was used to solve the problem: a knot was tied at the end of the lamp cord, the loop of which was put on the hook. It is difficult to call this method correct and safe, but it was often used even by professional electricians.

Now such problems are extremely rare, since modern lamps do not involve dangerous handling of current-carrying wires and must have a fastening element. Nowadays, you can more often face a situation when an old hook could not withstand long-term use or careless handling and broke off. In this case, you will have to replace it with a new one.

To hang a chandelier without a hook, you need to choose a new one. Wherein pay attention to the weight of the suspended lighting structure:

  • For luminaires weighing less than 4 kg, it is quite possible to use a threaded hook screwed into a polymer dowel. These kits are available at almost any hardware store.
  • For heavier luminaires, anchoring hooks are highly recommended. Recently, they are more and more often found on sale and are no longer a rarity.

Please note that an ordinary hook with a dowel can only be used with concrete slab or wooden ceiling... To fix the chandelier to the concrete ceiling, you need to drill a hole of the appropriate diameter and insert a dowel into it. In the case of a wooden ceiling, the thread can be screwed directly into the tree, and it is advisable to screw the hook along the entire length of the thread so that the connection is strong, otherwise thin boards will not support the weight. WITH plastic panels use threaded connection it is forbidden. Even drywall is not designed to be threaded or with the supplied dowel.

Anchoring mechanisms are capable of withstanding a significantly higher load. They are recommended for hanging a heavy chandelier. A hole of the required diameter and appropriate depth is drilled into the ceiling.

A hook is inserted into it and tightened by rotation until it stops. An adjustable wrench or pliers can be used to make tightening easier. The hook body is securely fixed in the hole with the paws set to the side.

Even if the purchased lamp has a small mass, it will be useful to think about the possible subsequent change of the chandelier. If it turns out to be heavier, you will have to change the fastening method again. It is better to immediately purchase an anchor hook, which will save you from possible inconveniences in the future.

Mounting bracket

Sometimes the lamp comes complete with a special bracket. It can be a straight bar or a cross. The fixture has holes for fixing to the ceiling and threaded rods for fixing the chandelier body.

The design assumes direct attachment to the ceiling surface. If the existing hook interferes with the fixing, you can simply saw off it. But it is better not to do this, because in the future it may be needed. It is recommended to bend it with a hammer and place the bracket side by side. If necessary, the hook can be unbent with pliers and used again. This approach will eliminate the need to mount a new hook the next time the chandelier is changed, if a different fixing method is required.

The mounting of the bracket is usually carried out using self-tapping screws and dowels. In the ceiling, according to preliminary marking, holes are drilled into which dowels are inserted. The mounting plate is attracted to the prepared points with self-tapping screws. The bracket in the form of a cross allows you to more reliably attach the chandelier if it has a significant mass. On the final stage the luminaire body is fixed to the bracket using the supplied screws, bushings or decorative nuts.

Direct placement

Some ceiling luminaires are designed to be directly attached to the ceiling surface. In this case, holes for fasteners are provided in the device case.

Hardware are selected depending on the material of the ceiling. Self-tapping screws, screws, special dowels can be used.

Special conditions

Traditional methods of installing a chandelier consider fixing the luminaire to a solid and solid base - concrete or wood. Ceiling modifications may dictate special requirements for the implementation of the suspension.

Drywall and plywood

Attaching a chandelier to a plasterboard ceiling is quite simple if you use a special bracket. Multiple fixation points allow you to distribute the load and use conventional self-tapping screws. But you can significantly increase the strength of the connection, if you take special dowels for drywall.

The most popular mount is called molly. Such a dowel belongs to expansion mechanisms and resembles an anchor in its principle of action. The hardware is inserted into a previously prepared hole until it stops. Rotation of the head is carried out with an ordinary screwdriver or screwdriver. The screw tightens the cylindrical expansion element, which firmly protects the dowel from movement and falling out of the hole.

If the chandelier is intended to be hung on a hook, another fixture in the form of so-called umbrella dowels will help solve the problem. The device consists of spring-loaded plates attached to the straight section of the hook. With the effort of the hand, the umbrella is compressed and pushed into a previously prepared hole in the drywall. After passing the hole, the plates are unclenched and securely fasten the hook from falling out. It remains only to tighten the lock washer with a nut.

Stretch ceiling

To mount a chandelier over a stretch ceiling, you will need a special bracket that creates a new base surface... These brackets are commercially available, but can also be made from scrap materials. The fixtures are a rigid base that is attached to a concrete ceiling with legs. Serial samples have height adjustment of the brackets, which allows you to adjust the structure for any position of the canvas relative to the concrete slab.

In the place where the chandelier is fixed, a mounting ring is glued to the fabric, in which a slot can be made. On sale there are also special transparent stickers that protect the canvas from a heating lamp.

Brackets can be used for more than just securing the mounting plate. In the center there is a hole for leading out the wires. Usually, a hook attached to the concrete base... Stretch ceiling brackets are universal and suitable for a variety of methods of fixing chandeliers.

Connection technique

All electrical work should be carried out with relieved stress... This must be done not just with a switch, but by turning off the machines on the electrical panel. It is recommended to additionally check the voltage at the terminals of the wires using an indicator screwdriver.

Most older fixtures do not have color-coded wires. According to the old rules, that was enough. But when using screw cartridges, it is advisable to place the phase on the center contact, and zero on the screw. This will provide additional protection against electric shock if accidentally touching the screw conductor when replacing a light bulb.

In addition, the rules for breaking the electrical circuit are not always observed in houses, as a result, the neutral wire opens, and the phase always remains on the chandelier, which creates a certain danger. For this reason, it is recommended that even a simple lamp change be made when the voltage on the shield is removed. This is the only way to give a complete guarantee of protection against defeat.

If the chandelier wires have color coding, it becomes easier to connect the device. The zero conductor comes up from the shield. The phase wire is opened by a switch. If the wiring of the apartment is not marked, you can determine the phase and zero using an indicator screwdriver.

Some modern models luminaires have additional protective grounding. If the wiring in the apartment is equipped with grounding, it is strongly recommended to use it, since there are no unnecessary moments in matters of electrical safety.

Wire connection

It is important to remember that all twist joints are currently unacceptable. You can pull with the replacement of the twist with a special connecting device, but when installing a new chandelier, it is strongly discouraged to use the old dangerous methods of connecting wires, which can lead to overheating, short circuits and fire.

Modern luminaires include special contacts for connecting wires. They are usually represented by screw terminals. It is enough to insert the stripped section of the wire into the contact hole and tighten the screw.

If the chandelier and wiring ends in just wires, you need to purchase special clamps. They come in several varieties:

  • Tubular screw shoes. The wires are securely clamped with screws, providing an acceptable contact and insulation of the connection.
  • Blocks with a lamellar current-carrying jumper. The wire is pressed through the washer, so the contact is more reliable and there is no risk of chafing the wire with the sharp edges of the screw. Uncovered pads of this type are characterized by less insulating properties, therefore it is recommended to use models with covers.
  • Push-on terminal blocks with latch or spring. There are self-clamping designs that are easy to use, but are usually designed for lower amperage. They are more resistant to vibration, contact is not lost over time, since there is no screw that can be unscrewed.

Modern chandeliers can have different ways fastening. Knowledge of the features of all options will allow you to easily independently install the lamp. There is an opportunity to reliably and beautifully hang a chandelier even on a stretch ceiling. Compliance with safety requirements and rules for electrical work will allow you to successfully connect and maintain its reliability for many years.

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