After reading the title of the article, someone will probably say, “why about this?” something like that write, any apartment owner can handle this kind of work himself.” Yes, of course, installing and connecting a chandelier does not belong to the work of the highest category of complexity, however, these processes also have specific nuances, on which, by the way, the safety of living in the apartment depends.
The chandelier is connected to electricity, and all electrical appliances, if not installed correctly, installation become source of danger - electric shock or even fire. In addition, this lighting device is often quite massive, and can cause a lot of trouble if it is not securely fixed to the ceiling. Thus, the whole complex of problems associated with how to connect a chandelier with your own hands is conditionally divided into two directions - ensuring its correct connection to the electrical network and its reliable and most beautiful placement on the ceiling plane.
Find out useful information from our new article.
What to consider when choosing a chandelier
It is clear that the vast majority of apartment owners choose this lighting device, relying primarily on its external design, so that it matches the overall interior design of the room. However, we must not forget about some other aspects of choice.
- The total light output of the chandelier must correspond to the size and type of room for which it is intended. There are certain standards of illumination, which can be briefly presented as follows:
— For rooms where soft diffused, dim light is required (a typical example is a bedroom), you should proceed from 10 ÷ 12 W/m² of area.
— For rooms with an average level of general illumination (kitchen, bath, toilet) or where it is planned to install additional lighting for specific workplaces (office or children's room) the norm will be from 15 to 20 W/m².
— For rooms with bright lighting (living room), this figure is taken equal to 20 W/m².
In accordance with the calculated power, a lighting device with the required number of horns should be selected. An important nuance - in no case should you increase the overall illumination by using more powerful lamps than allowed by the manufacturer. The material of lampshades, sockets, and the cross-section of internal wiring may not be designed for increased loads, and this will lead to damage to the device or even a fire hazard.
- The dimensions of the lighting fixture must be in harmony with the overall dimensions of the room. A huge chandelier will look ridiculous in a fairly cramped room, or, on the contrary, one that is too small will simply get lost on the ceiling plane of a vast room. Designers recommend proceeding from the following considerations:
— The optimal diameter of the chandelier can be approximately determined by the formula:
D = ( L+ S)×10
D – diameter of the chandelier in centimeters
L And S – length and width of the room, respectively, in meters.
So, for example, for a room measuring 5 × 3 m, the best option would be a chandelier with a diameter of 80 cm.
- The type of chandelier you choose depends on the height of the room. If the ceilings in the room are low, about 2.5 m, then it is better to give preference to the ceiling version of the lighting fixture, so that there is at least 2.0 ÷ 2.2 m from the floor to it. The suspended option will be appropriate in a room with high ceilings, and here the length of the suspension will be determined only by aesthetic considerations.
- Be sure to compare the type and material of the ceiling with the weight of the chandelier and the method of hanging it - this will be discussed below.
- Chandeliers are most often sold disassembled, so special attention is paid to completeness, matching threads on all collapsible parts, and the integrity of decorative elements. Be sure to check for clear and understandable installation instructions for the product.
- Unfortunately, the lighting market is literally oversaturated with cheap and low-quality products and outright counterfeits of well-known brands. Such products can be equipped with cartridges made of low-grade plastic, which is not designed for high temperatures. They will give out a counterfeit product due to poor-quality installation of the electrical part, twisted wires, lack of terminal connections, etc. Often you have to independently carry out reconnection of wires, their unsoldering and insulation according to all the rules. This is especially true for “sophisticated” chandeliers with LED additional circuits, power supplies or current transformation, remote control devices, etc. In order not to take on these extra troubles, it is better to choose a product with really high-quality cable and electrical components, ask the store to assemble it and check the functionality of the product.
Prices for chandeliers and ceiling lamps
Chandeliers and ceiling lights
Dealing with the wires on the chandelier and on the ceiling
In this article we will not consider particularly complex options with chandeliers stuffed with electronics - their installation in most cases will definitely require the services of an appropriately qualified specialist. But everyone should be able to connect an ordinary chandelier on their own.
First of all, a few theoretical questions in the field of home electrical wiring. As you know, the power supply in our area is organized with a standard voltage of 220 V and a frequency of 50 Hz. Household wiring is carried out through two wires - phase and neutral. If the house has a grounding loop (in modern housing this becomes a necessity and most often, in new buildings this issue is provided for in advance), then a third wire connected to the grounding bus is included in the wiring.
There is a generally accepted color marking for wires in a single-phase electrical network:
A characteristic nuance is that if the neutral wire is always blue or blue in color, and the grounding contact is yellow-green, then the color of the phase wire can vary:
Often, several phase wires of one or more colors can be assembled in one cable - this is used, among other things, when connecting lighting devices, to switch different modes of their operation:
Ideally, both the chandelier and house wiring should use the same color coding. However, practice shows that in both cases this rule is not always observed. For example, in old houses, aluminum or copper wires in single-color insulation were used for wiring. In this case, you will have to deal with them yourself.
When working with electrical wiring, special attention should be paid to safety measures. It is strictly forbidden to touch bare wires with unprotected hands unless the general power supply is turned off. You must wear shoes with rubber soles. To work near the ceiling, you need to provide a reliable base - an unstable stool or bedside table can lead to loss of balance, falling and injury. For these purposes, the best option would be a stepladder mounted on a rubber mat.
1. So, the simplest option is a cable with two wires coming out of a hole in the ceiling. It is clear that one of them is phase, and the other is zero. According to existing rules, the neutral must go directly to the distribution box, and the phase must be interrupted at the switch. Nevertheless, it doesn’t hurt to check - very often electricians “don’t bother” with these issues.
- To check, you need to have a special device - a phase indicator. Most often it is designed in the form of a screwdriver with a transparent body, although modern models may have a different design, including even an indication of the phase voltage value.
- First of all, it is necessary to completely de-energize the room or the entire apartment at the distribution panel. This is necessary in order to thoroughly strip the wires of insulation and oxides to a length of 5 ÷ 8 mm. After stripping, the wires are spread as far apart as possible to prevent short circuits. After this, turn on the machine on the dashboard.
- Then, with the switch in the off position, both wires are checked sequentially. Neither should show the presence of a phase. If there is a phase on one wire, it means the wiring in the house is not done correctly - the “zero” on the switch, apparently, is interrupted. It is very difficult to change anything in this case - you just need to keep this in mind, taking special care in further work.
- The phase is checked in the same way when the switch is in the on position. As a result, a phase wire will be identified, which can be marked in a certain way (with a marker or colored electrical tape).
2. If a switch with two or more keys is installed in the room, then from the ceiling the holes should be the appropriate number phase wires. The test is carried out in the same way as described above, with each phase marked separately, in accordance with the location of the switch keys.
A similar check should be carried out even if color-coded wiring is installed - simply to eliminate mistakes by the electrician who once installed it.
3. Now - about the cable part of the chandelier itself.
- The easiest way is when the chandelier has one or two or three arms, without dividing them into groups. All wires from the cartridges are assembled into two contact groups - neutral and phase. If there is a ground wire, it is usually attached to the metal body of the lamp.
- In the event that it is necessary to divide the horns with cartridges into two or more groups, then all the blue “zero” wires are connected into one bundle, and the phase wires are divided into several, according to the number of keys on the switch.
Very often on chandeliers this can be seen quite clearly, and such switching will not be difficult.
The simplest case: all the wires are in full view - In both cases, the bundles of twisted wires should be thoroughly soldered and placed in a screw terminal block or separate spring terminals.
- It is somewhat more difficult to understand when the design of the chandelier does not make it possible to visually understand its internal wiring. However, you can figure it out here too by calling all the outgoing wires using a multitester. To do this, you can sequentially screw an incandescent lamp into the sockets (an energy-saving fluorescent lamp will not help in this case), and experimentally find out which horn is powered from which wire. After this, it will be easy to distribute the horns into groups.
To “ring” hidden wires you will need a multitester There are other methods for determining the internal wiring of a chandelier, based on calculating the resistance of the circuit with lamps of the same rating screwed into all sockets, but in practice it is probably easier to simply ring each horn.
So, the result of checking the chandelier circuits and fixed wiring in the room should be a clear understanding of the circuit, prepared for switching and marked wires on the ceiling and groups of contacts on the lighting fixture itself.
Video: diagram of connecting a five-arm chandelier to a two-key switch
Mounting a chandelier on the ceiling of a room
If everything has become clear with the electrical part, it is necessary to ensure that the chandelier is securely fastened to the ceiling. The technology of operation depends on the design of the chandelier and the type of ceiling covering.
Hanging a chandelier on a hook
This is an old and proven method of installing chandeliers, which have a special loop, ring or hook for this purpose.
In older multi-story buildings, hanging hooks were installed in ceiling openings during the construction stage. If it’s standing, then there’s less of a problem; however, it doesn’t hurt to still test it for strength. To do this, it is necessary to hang a load with a total mass twice the weight of the chandelier planned for installation. If such a load can be easily withstood, then there should be no special concerns.
What to do if the old hook is unreliable or its condition does not inspire confidence that it will withstand the load? It's okay, you can install it yourself.
In principle, there should be no problems with a wooden ceiling - a hook-screw can be easily screwed into it.
There can be various solutions with a concrete floor slab:
— You can hang the hook on a transverse steel rod, which is inserted into the cable channel of the slab. When doing this, be careful not to damage the wiring running there with the rod.
— Another option with an old hole in the ceiling is to insert a hook with a butterfly lock into it. Having passed into the cable channel, the “wings” of this fastening will straighten and create the necessary support, and all that remains is to fix the entire suspension with a washer and nut.
Hook with spring lock-butterfly — If this option is not possible, for example, in the case where there is no “standard” opening for the hook, it will be necessary to drill a hole in the concrete floor for a plastic dowel, but it is still better - for a metal anchor with a ring or hook.
Before drilling, it would be useful to evaluate the direction of the wiring from the junction box to the outlet on the ceiling, so as not to accidentally break the cable with a drill or break its insulation.
If, when drilling, an internal cavity of the slab is encountered, use a special metal dowel for hollow-core structures – with screwing it in forms a “skirt” that securely holds the fastening element in the ceiling.
After installing any type of hook, it should be tested for load - as described above. It is recommended to then insulate the protruding metal part by wrapping it with electrical tape or putting a heat-shrinkable tube of the appropriate diameter on it, followed by heating.
If the hook is reliable, you can hang the chandelier using the standard mount. Be sure to turn off the general power supply to the room in order to connect the contact part. The wires are connected using terminal connectors - twisting is not allowed, as sparks may occur on them and the insulation will melt. The connection is carried out in full accordance with the wiring diagram described above.
The place of the contact connection of the wires and the suspension on the hook is usually covered with a decorative glass (cap).
After completing the installation, turn on the power supply at the panel, then at the switch to immediately make sure there are no short circuits. It doesn’t hurt to check with an indicator that there is no phase on the metal body of the chandelier. If everything is normal, then with the switch keys turned off, the necessary lamps are screwed in or inserted into the socket and the practical functionality of all chandelier arms is checked in all switching modes.
After checking, you can begin the final installation of the chandelier - installing shades, hanging all removable decorative parts, etc., according to the assembly instructions attached to the product.
Installing a chandelier on a mounting plate
Many manufactured chandeliers, especially those intended for low rooms, are not hung on hooks, but are installed using screw fasteners on a special mounting strip fixed to the ceiling. This significantly improves the reliability of the overall installation, since the load is evenly distributed across multiple attachment points.
The design of the mounting strip can be different - it all depends on the specific model of the chandelier and its weight. The strip may be straight or curved, with brackets to secure the light fixture housing, or with protruding studs or screws.
The set with particularly heavy chandeliers may include cross-shaped strips or in the form of a reinforced I-beam profile.
The strip may have a hole with grommet-lined edges to accommodate wires coming out of the ceiling. You can also place the bar in close proximity to the cable exit point - the body of the installed chandelier will hide both the hole in the ceiling and the wiring connection.
The mounting strip is attached to the ceiling plane in various ways, depending on specific conditions. In fact, this is described above, with the only difference that instead of dowels with a ring or hook, ordinary ones are used, with a pressure head “under hide».
Just as when using a hook, the reliability of the fastening under load must be checked.
The fastening must be checked under load - to prevent situations like this Quite often a situation occurs when placing the dowels too close to the old hole in the ceiling does not ensure reliable installation - the edge of the concrete may crack or crumble. So the optimal choice of fasteners and installation location still remains with the direct performer of the work.
Attaching the chandelier itself to the mounting plate may also have its own characteristics. In this case, you may need help - the lamp will have to be held suspended while the cable part is being switched. After the wires are connected, the chandelier body is secured to the bar with decorative nuts or screws.
Further work on performance monitoring and final installation is no different from what was outlined above.
Features of attaching a chandelier to a plasterboard ceiling
By and large, you should plan the placement of the chandelier even before its installation. In this case, no problems are foreseen - one or several additional metal profiles are provided in advance for attaching the mounting strip or is installed a hook that can then be easily extended using a chain or barbell. A hole is immediately marked in the plasterboard sheet and drilled in the right place for the wires and hook to exit.
But what to do if this issue of hanging a chandelier arose later?
- In the case when the lighting device is of a pendant type, it is impossible to install the hook directly into the gypsum plasterboard - its strength is unlikely to be sufficient for a point load. You can do this as follows:
A hole is drilled in the ceiling with a diameter smaller than the decorative cap of the lamp.
Exactly in the center of this opening, with a long drill installed in a hammer drill, a hole is drilled in the floor slab along the anchor fastening.
An anchor with a long threaded pin is inserted and fixed as far as possible in the hole made, so that the pin extends out beyond the plane of the drywall.
An eye-nut is screwed onto the protruding end of the stud, from which the chandelier itself will later be suspended. The excess hairpin is carefully cut off with a hacksaw.
Spring “butterfly” with hairpin If there is a void or an old hole in the ceiling - that’s it Also, as when working on a regular ceiling, only the fastening elements do not have a ring, but a long threaded part, so that it goes out.
- If the chandelier is of a cantilever type, that is, installed on a mounting plate, then much depends on its weight.
— In the case when the total weight of the fixture does not exceed 3–5 kg, the bar can be attached directly to the gypsum fiber board sheet. For this purpose, special dowels for drywall are used - “butterflies” or snails.
Butterfly and snail dowels for attaching parts to drywall The former are held as a result of the expansion of the plastic structure under the sheet of drywall when screwing in the self-tapping screw. The second has a different principle of operation - a very high and sharp thread with a large plane of contact with the sheet material creates a reliable connection when screwed in. The “snail” is screwed in completely, flush with the surface of the gypsum plasterboard, in the right place, and in its center there remains a hole into which a regular self-tapping screw can easily fit.
— If the chandelier is heavier, then to attach the mounting strip you will have to resort to the method with anchors with studs. - - as described above. The protruding threaded parts of two or more studs will become fasteners for a rack or cross-shaped console.
All further actions are no different from installing a chandelier on a regular ceiling.
Video: option for attaching a chandelier to a plasterboard ceiling
Prices for various types of anchors
Anchors
Mounting a chandelier on a suspended ceiling
No practical advice on how to independently install a chandelier on a suspended ceiling will be given - this should only be done by craftsmen and exclusively before hanging the ceiling sheet.
Read detailed information about what is important to know in our new article.
To install the chandelier, a mounting platform is prepared in advance and suspended from the floor slab, the lower cut of which should fall at the planned height of the stretched fabric. Based on the location of this embedded platform, craftsmen must cut and properly process the holes themselves, strengthening their edges through which wires and fasteners will pass.
Attempting to cut holes yourself in order to hang a chandelier on an already installed stretch ceiling, using working techniques like a plasterboard ceiling, will not lead to anything good. With a probability close to 100%, they are doomed to failure. The deplorable, but logical result of such amateur activity will be the need to completely replace the canvas.
After the ceiling craftsmen have completed the work, leaving the necessary holes for the chandelier and fasteners, reinforced with special grommets, the installation of the lamp is carried out with the utmost care, so as to in no case allow the surface to rupture or puncture.
On a suspended ceiling, it is preferable to use a suspended one so that the lamps are not in close proximity to the canvas. In addition, ordinary incandescent lamps, “halogens” or fluorescent “housekeepers” are not suitable for these purposes - they will quickly ruin the decorative effect of the ceiling covering. Therefore, in order for the ceiling to retain its attractiveness for as long as possible, only LED models are needed.
Video: example of installing a chandelier on a suspended ceiling
Installation of a new chandelier is a rather important and significant event. Before hanging it, you need to assemble it correctly. However, most products have a fairly simple structure, so this step can be skipped. To figure out how to hang a chandelier, you need to determine the type of ceiling covering, as well as the method of attaching the lighting fixture.
Connecting wires
It’s worth starting with basic actions. Before starting work, you should ask yourself a few questions:
- how many keys should the switch be installed on?
- how many wires will come from the ceiling.
If there are only two wires, you don’t have to think about the possibility of turning on individual parts of the lamp using a two-key switch. Without the presence of a third wire, such a task will be impossible.
If you have three wires and want to turn on the light in different parts of the chandelier at different times, the wires that go to the socket and the ground are collected in 1 bundle. The rest are divided into 2 other bundles.
Attention! It is important to ensure good contact between the wires. Otherwise, the wires will become very hot, and the housekeeper will fail.
In order to carry out the work, you should prepare the following tools:
- small screwdriver;
- open-end wrench 12;
- indicator screwdriver;
- pliers;
- terminal block.
The key must be collected for one task - during the assembly of the chandelier itself. An indicator screwdriver will be needed to determine where the wire is connected. If the instrument lights up when you touch its tip, it means it is working.
After this, you need to touch the end of the screwdriver to the cartridge. The free hand is used to hold the wires. If you touch one of them with a screwdriver, the indicator built into the tool will light up. Wires made in the same color will be grounding.
Bundles that are separated must be inserted into the terminal block and secured.
Chandelier installation
To understand how to hang a chandelier, you need to choose a method for attaching it. There are 2 main options:
- on the mounting plate;
- on a hook.
Hanging a chandelier on a hook is one of the oldest and most common options. Today this method is used less frequently. However, quite a lot of chandeliers that have such fastenings are still sold.
Some home craftsmen can solve this problem on their own. They simply replace the plastic hook with a homemade one, which is made from a welding electrode.
The mounting strip is a special product mounted to the ceiling. It is usually sold complete with a chandelier. Before installation, the plank must be properly prepared. It is necessary to fasten the screws on it so that the caps are in the inner part of the strip. However, you should not clamp them. Then you need to insert the strip into the chandelier. This must be done in a certain way. The strip should be flush with the edges of the lamp bowl. It is also possible that it will be below the edges of the bowl.
After checking, you must tighten the screws in the bar to prevent them from twisting. Then the strip is applied to the ceiling in order to mark the attachment points. After this, holes for dowels are drilled in the ceiling. With their help, the bar is installed, and then the hanging chandelier is mounted. If there is a wooden ceiling base, the plank should be secured using self-tapping screws.
Connection
Checking for voltage is quite simple. To determine it, you should use an indicator screwdriver. When the tip touches the wires, it should not glow. After the power is turned on, the indicator will show voltage on only 2 wires. The remaining one is "ground". It must be connected to a common beam.
Attention! You cannot install housekeepers if the lamp is connected through a special device that regulates the brightness of the light.
To figure out how to hang a chandelier on different ceilings, it’s worth getting acquainted with their types and features.
Chandelier with power supply
Often, owners of apartments or private houses want to increase the brightness of the glow by using more powerful lamps. As a result of such modifications, the pendant chandelier may no longer function. To protect the transformer, it is worth monitoring the total electricity consumption of all lamps. It is necessary that it be less than the output power of the device.
For halogen lamps, the pendant chandelier is connected to a transformer. This prevents the bulbs from overheating and exploding. This is due to the fact that halogen products are designed for 12V.
Important! If a direct connection is made, the bulbs must be rated at 220V. If the condition is not met, the halogen lamps will simply explode.
It is worth remembering that all wires are carefully insulated. It is necessary to check their integrity throughout. This condition is a mandatory safety requirement.
Fastening to concrete floor
To install a chandelier on a strip, you should first mark its installation locations. To do this, you need to drill holes for the fasteners. When making a ceiling from slabs with voids, you should check how thick the concrete is in the place where the drilling will be done. In some cases, you have to step aside to secure the dowel more securely.
If it is impossible to hammer in a dowel in a certain area of the ceiling, you can simply change the position of the planks. You can also insert a wooden strip into the cavity of the slab. In this case, the bar is screwed with screws. To perform such work, you need to prepare the appropriate tools:
- perforator;
- anchors, dowels or screws;
- Victory drill;
- screwdriver
Note! Before starting drilling, care must be taken to ensure that the tool does not become dusty. It should also not be exposed to debris. To protect the hammer drill, you will need to install a disposable cup on the drill. You can also use half a rubber ball as protection.
It is worth remembering that the bar must be attached carefully, without unnecessary effort. Otherwise it can be bent. The part is installed depending on the chosen mounting method. Instead of a hammer drill, you can use an impact drill. However, it is worth choosing it taking into account the power and volume of expected work.
Plasterboard ceiling
What are the features of hanging a chandelier on a plasterboard ceiling? It is important to maintain its attractive appearance, as well as high mechanical strength. To do this, you need to determine what type of chandelier will be. There are several recommendations:
- The place where a large pendant chandelier will be installed should be reinforced with a metal profile. This work is carried out while creating the frame of the final ceiling.
- If you are installing a small chandelier, you should purchase special fasteners. These include butterflies and folding dowels. In this case, no amplification is required.
When working, you must comply with safety requirements. The electrical system must be de-energized and the ceiling structure installed as securely as possible.
Attention! If it is impossible to turn off the power to the room, it is necessary to work in rubber gloves. This will ensure complete safety for the installer. Also, all work should be carried out only with high-quality tools.
Drywall is highly durable, which allows installation directly to the material. However, there are corresponding restrictions in this case:
- Since a sheet of plasterboard can withstand loads of up to 6 kg/sq. m, you should prefer a chandelier that is light in weight.
- It should also be taken into account that the plasterboard sheet may become deformed during repair of the device. For example, when you need to change a lamp, you should handle the chandelier very carefully. Also, you should not change the hanging product frequently. In addition, you cannot make new ones next to the old holes for attaching the chandelier.
First you need to consider the main options for mounting a pendant chandelier. First, a hole is made in the ceiling material, into which a dowel is then inserted.
Attention! The spring fastening element should be tightened using a nut. The butterfly is tightened using a self-tapping screw. A click will be heard. Included with the dowel is a hook. After such work, you can install the chandelier. Then the connection is made.
The wiring is connected while holding the chandelier under the ceiling. Only then can the hanging device be completely attached to the ceiling. This type of work is best done by 2 people. One will hold the chandelier, the other will connect the electrical wiring. If help is not required, it is better to make a small hook to temporarily hang the chandelier. This will prevent mechanical damage to the suspended product.
Stretch ceiling
If the ceiling is suspended, you should think in advance what type of pendant chandelier will be installed. You also need to decide on the mounting of the lighting fixture.
In order not to spoil the appearance of the ceiling, as well as not to violate its integrity, you should choose the right chandelier. It can be designed for both energy-saving light bulbs and incandescent lamps. In the latter case, the cartridges should face to the side, not up. They should also be hidden in the lampshade. In the case of an energy-saving option, the pendant chandelier will not heat up.
Attention! When hanging a lamp from a tension structure, remember that its surface may become deformed due to high temperature. To avoid this, it is better to screw LED light bulbs into the sockets.
In addition, before starting work, you should check the base of the lighting structure. If it has sharp edges, the film can easily tear. There are several ways to install a chandelier to a suspended ceiling:
- If the apartment has a suspended ceiling, the best solution is to hang the chandelier on a hook. This method will be the simplest and most reliable. However, this method can only be used in the case of hanging chandeliers.
- If there is a concrete slab above the tensile structure, and the hook has already been fixed by the builders, it is necessary to determine the height of its installation. It may be chosen incorrectly.
- If you need to change the location of the chandelier hook, you should use an anchor to install a new fastener. The old one is cut off with a grinder.
- There is also another method - a wooden embedded element is mounted in the place where the chandelier is attached. The hook is attached to it.
If you need to hang a chandelier weighing several kilograms on the ceiling, then there are usually no difficulties. But when hanging a massive heavy chandelier, work needs to be done by choosing the type of fastener and the correct method of fastening.
The chandelier hangs at a height, is connected to electrical wiring, people pass under it, so the reliability of the fastening must be taken with full responsibility in order to prevent the lamp from falling on someone’s head.
If the lamp weighs less than a kilogram and is an electric socket with a light bulb, then you don’t have to worry about the hanging method and attach the chandelier directly to the electrical wires. I used this method of hanging during the renovation of the apartment since all the lamps were removed from the ceiling. If the chandelier consists of fittings and shades, then it is necessary to install a special mount in the ceiling in the form of a hook or anchor.
How to hang a chandelier on the ceiling using a hook
If the chandelier weighs less than ten kilograms, then the best way to hang it is a simple hook with a thread on a straight section.
Hooks come in different sizes, so you can choose based on the weight of the chandelier. A hook with a rod diameter of 2 mm will hold a chandelier weighing up to 3 kg, 3 mm - 5 kg, 4 mm - 8 kg, 5 mm - 10 kg, respectively. To attach a chandelier weighing more than 10 kg, you will need an anchor.
If you want to hang a chandelier on a wooden ceiling, for example in a log house, then just use a drill to drill a hole in the ceiling with a diameter equal to the inner diameter of the hook thread and screw the hook into the ceiling.
If you don’t have a hook at hand, you can hammer a nail 80 mm long into the ceiling halfway and bend its protruding part into a half ring. A chandelier weighing up to three kilograms will hang securely.
In a ceiling made of concrete slabs, to attach the hook, you must first install a dowel in the ceiling. When purchasing a hook, a dowel is usually included in the kit. The hook shown in the photo with a rod diameter of 5 mm is designed for hanging a chandelier weighing up to 10 kg.
To install a dowel into the ceiling, you must first drill a hole in it with a diameter equal to the outer diameter of the dowel to the depth of its length. The dowel is driven into the hole and all that remains is to screw the hook into it.
Since there are cavities in concrete floor slabs, when drilling a hole, the drill may fall into the void. And after the drill is removed from the hole, sand and construction dust will begin to fall.
And there is an explanation for this. Ceiling slabs are made of concrete. To reduce their weight and increase strength, reduce thermal conductivity and sound insulation, round pipe-shaped cavities are made at the factory along the entire length of the slab. When stored on a construction site, construction debris gets into some pipes, which is why it can spill out.
If the thickness of the concrete to the inner cavity does not exceed half the length of the plastic dowel, and it does not fall through when driven into the hole, then you can screw a chandelier hook into the dowel. If its weight does not exceed 3 kg, then the fastening will be quite reliable.
If the chandelier weighs more than 3 kg, a metal dowel is required, for example, the Molli system, specially designed for fastening to any walls and ceilings, including hollow structures.
To install a Molly dowel in the ceiling, you first need to drill a hole, insert the cylindrical part of the dowel into it and, turning clockwise until it stops, screw in the hook, applying significant force at the end of screwing. It is better to tighten the hook using a lever, for example, by inserting a metal rod or rod into it. When twisted, the central part of the dowel cylinder will spread out to the sides and securely cling to the walls of the concrete slab. This dowel will support the weight of a chandelier up to 30 kg.
How to hang a heavy chandelier on the ceiling
using an anchor
To fasten products on a solid ceiling or wall with a load of more than 30 kg, a metal Anchor is used, which means anchor in German.
To hang a chandelier on a ceiling weighing more than 10 kg, you can use not only a hook with a plastic dowel, but also a simple, inexpensive drive-in anchor that can withstand a weight of up to 30 kg when installed on a concrete ceiling.
As can be seen in the photograph, a driven anchor is a piece of metal tube, inside of which a metric thread is cut up to half the length, and the second half has a narrowing internal diameter and is divided into four sectors by slots. The outside of the tube has a diagonal notch for better adhesion to the wall material.
A metal liner is inserted from the threaded part of the anchor tube. To install a hammer-in anchor, you need to drill a hole in the ceiling 5 mm deeper than its length, hammer the anchor into the drilled hole and wedge it using a special tool. The device can be a metal rod with a diameter smaller than the anchor thread. Impacts on the rod will push the liner into the tapering part of the tube and the anchor collets will move apart, cutting into the concrete.
Main technical characteristics of drive-in anchors
Based on data from manufacturers of drive-in anchors, I compiled a table of their technical characteristics. Manufacturers recommend loading the anchor no more than 25% of the maximum load.
The load characteristics in the table are given for the ideal case of installing an anchor in high-strength concrete, natural stone or brick without cavities. Therefore, taking into account the impossibility of taking into account the characteristics of the wall or ceiling material, I recommend choosing an anchor with a tenfold load reserve.
| Main technical characteristics of drive-in anchors | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchor designation | Anchor diameter, drilling, mm | Anchor length, mm | Drilling depth, mm | Internal thread | ||
| M6 | 950 | 8 | 25 | 30 | M6 | |
| M8 | 1350 | 10 | 30 | 35 | M8 | |
| M10 | 1950 | 12 | 40 | 45 | M10 | |
| M12 | 2900 | 16 | 50 | 55 | M12 | |
| M16 | 4850 | 20 | 65 | 70 | M16 | |
| M20 | 5900 | 25 | 80 | 85 | M20 | |
After the drive-in anchor is secured into it, you can screw in a fastening element of any shape, for example, a hook, ring or stud on which any structure can be secured using a nut. The drive-in anchor is perfect for attaching heavy wall cabinets, sports equipment, sewer pipes and any other heavy objects.
This photo shows a ceiling mount using a water pipe hammer anchor. A bolt is screwed into the anchor, onto which a bracket is attached using a nut, holding the pipe.
The choice of lighting fixtures for an apartment must be taken responsibly. When purchasing a lamp, first of all, you need to figure out how to properly mount the chandelier to the ceiling and correctly connect it to the electrical network.
In order to cope with the task and do everything correctly, you need to prepare the tools so that during the process of installing the chandelier on the ceiling nothing distracts the master:
- you need a stepladder of sufficient height (you can get by with a table);
- hand-held electric drill or hammer drill;
- pliers and wire cutters or side cutters (from electric shock, handles must be insulated);
- various screwdrivers (including with indicator function);
- a roll of electrical tape;
- several mounting blocks (with a reserve) for wire clamps;
- the necessary fasteners on which the chandelier will be installed on the ceiling.
Chic chandeliers 
Before fixing the ceiling chandelier, be sure to read the instructions for connecting it to the electrical network. Usually it gives a detailed description of all operations, so a master who knows a little about electricity should not have any particular difficulties.
Types and methods of fastening
When choosing your lamp, even in the store you need to pay attention to the mounting methods.
Modern ceiling lighting fixtures are available with several types of chandelier mounting options:
- a loop on the luminaire fixture that allows it to be installed on a ceiling hook. This is one of the main types of mounting a ceiling chandelier. In this case, the base should be as strong as possible, for example, concrete floors.
Hook mounting diagram
- attaching a ceiling chandelier to a bracket or a special mounting strip. With such fastening, the load from the weight of the lamp is divided into several different points. The bracket is attached to the ceiling with dowels with screws screwed into them. In this case, the weight of the chandelier should not exceed 1.5-2.0 kg.
Mounting diagram for mounting plate
- a cross or double perpendicular strip allows you to hang a lamp adjacent to the ceiling, for example, a ceiling chandelier. A cross bar is not much different from a bracket, except that the fastening is carried out at a greater number of points and the lighting device can have a larger mass.
Mounting on a cross-shaped strip is used, as a rule, when installing square lamps
- a reliable I-beam platform for mounting a massive, heavy chandelier. Allows fastening at several points.
Scheme for attaching a heavy chandelier to a platform
Installation work on hanging a lamp usually does not cause much difficulty. As a rule, dowels with self-tapping screws are used to attach a chandelier to the ceiling. The diameter of the screws must correspond to the size of the hole in the fastening strip; their length should not be shorter than 4 cm and not longer than 6 cm.
Having considered the types and methods of fastening, you can decide how to install the chandelier on the ceiling correctly, without unnecessary and unpleasant consequences.
Installation with ceiling hook
Typically, a hook for securing lighting fixtures is installed during construction work. In this case, before hanging the chandelier on the ceiling, you need to check its strength.
Mounting hook
To check, for some time a load corresponding to the weight of or slightly heavier than the chandelier is suspended from the installed hook. If the attached load has not shifted, you can safely hang the chandelier in place. If the fastening hook has moved, or even fallen out, you can carry out the installation work yourself.
Testing the hook with the weight of a chandelier
To do this you need:
- use a puncher to make the required hole (if it does not already exist);
- a properly selected metal anchor or a folding spring dowel with a ring is inserted into it. It should fit snugly against the inner surface of the drilled hole;
- It is enough to screw a strong self-tapping hook into a wooden ceiling.
This is the simplest method that describes how to attach a chandelier to the ceiling.
Schematic mounting of the holding element
If the ceiling is finished with plasterboard or a tension fabric is installed, the work of attaching the chandelier to the hook may become more complicated.
Plasterboard sheets are quite durable, so a small lamp can be mounted directly onto the material itself, but it is worth considering small nuances:
- the weight of the attached lighting device should not exceed 6 kg;
- It is worth paying attention to the fact that when replacing lamps, you can damage the sheets or accidentally touch a low-hanging lamp with your hand.
Therefore, when installing a ceiling made of plasterboard sheets, it is necessary to think in advance about the lighting of the room and make a hole in the material under the mounted hook.
If this has not been done, you can hang the chandelier on a spring dowel or a special butterfly installed in a drilled hole. The dowel will need to be tightened with a special nut, and the butterfly spacer will need to be tightened with a self-tapping screw until it clicks. All fasteners must be equipped with a pin or hook to which the chandelier is attached.
One of the options for mounting a chandelier if the ceiling is made of plasterboard
When installing a stretch ceiling, you must take care in advance of how to secure the lamp. It must be remembered that a stretched canvas cannot serve as a fastening base for a chandelier. When installing a suspended ceiling, workers, before cutting a hole for attaching a lamp, glue a thermal ring in advance. If this is not done, then it will be impossible to hang the chandelier from the ceiling, since the stretched fabric will tear. Connecting wires are routed through the cut hole.
With this option, you first need to hang the chandelier on a hook, and then connect the electrical wires, after which the attachment point is covered with a decorative cap of the lamp.
Mounting diagram for suspended ceiling
Video instructions for installing a chandelier on a hook
Installation using a mounting strip
Before attaching the chandelier to the ceiling using a mounting strip, it must be:
- try it on in the place where it will presumably hang. At the same time, the decorative components of the lamp, covering the mounting location and wires, must fit tightly to the ceiling;
- if this is the center of the room where the mounted hook is located, then it needs to be bent, but not cut off. Perhaps in the future, when replacing lamps later, it will still be useful.
Trying out the bar for a future position
- Markings are made for fastening the strip. To do this, the plank is applied to the ceiling and outlined with a pencil so that the attached elements do not interfere with the connection to the electrical network. Mark the drilling locations. Plastic dowels are carefully driven into the drilled holes. The plastic should be ribbed, which will prevent it from becoming loose over time and starting to fall out of the nest;
- Using screws or self-tapping screws, the fastening strip is attached to the ceiling.
We fasten the bar and bend the hook (maybe it will be useful in the future)
- After installing the connecting wires, the bowl or other decorative element is applied to the installed bar, aligning the connecting holes.
Connecting the wires
- Tighten the entire structure with decorative nuts, after which you can screw in the light bulbs and install shades or other components of the lamp.
Completion of work - finished chandelier in the interior
It is worth noting that hanging a chandelier from the ceiling can be difficult alone. Another hand is needed to connect the wires. Therefore, when connecting a lamp to the mains, one person holds the chandelier, the other handles the wires.
In case of installing suspended ceilings, the base for attaching the strip must be installed in advance. This can be an ordinary wooden block of the required thickness, which, before installing the canvas, is attached to the ceiling, and then a plank is mounted on it.
Bar for suspended ceiling
It is necessary to consider how to properly install a lighting fixture on a plasterboard ceiling. It has already been noted that, given the light weight of the chandelier, it can be fixed directly to the sheets. For a more massive version of the lamp, you need to take care in advance of an additional substrate in the form of a bar or metal profile on which the mounting strip will be attached.
You can correctly hang a chandelier on a crosspiece or an I-beam platform in the same way as in the case of a mounting strip. It is worth considering that this option involves heavy lamps, so you need to take dowels and screws of greater length and diameter.
You can mount a chandelier on the ceiling with your own hands without any problems, the main thing is to prepare the necessary material and tools, study the included connection instructions and always have an assistant.
Video instructions for installing a chandelier on a strip
Laziness made a man out of a monkey. Tired of climbing a palm tree for a banana, the monkey picked up a stick. The hostess was tired of always painting and greasing the cracks in the ceiling - she ordered it. No hassle - beautiful, smooth, hygienic. There is only one small but pressing question left: how to hang it on a suspended ceiling? On the one hand, it seems like you shouldn’t fool yourself; it’s easier to invite specially trained people for such work. But on the other hand, how can you find out whether they did everything correctly and whether, God forbid, any troubles will happen after such an installation? After reading this material, you will be able not only to supervise hired workers, but also to install the lighting device yourself.
Requirements for a chandelier for a stretch ceiling:
- the flow of light should be directed downwards or to the side, but not upwards;
- it is desirable that the lampshades have a closed shape;
- the distance from the lampshade to the ceiling must be sufficient to prevent heating of the material;
- with a standard room height, the tension structure already lowers the ceiling; there is no need to install a bulky chandelier;
- the lighting fixture must have a long suspension, sufficient to be secured to the base behind the stretched canvas.
Ceiling chandeliers for suspended ceilings can be equipped with different types. When choosing one type or another, take into account the features of the PVC contract:
| Lamp type | Description |
| Incandescent lamp | The low cost of these devices hides high energy consumption and high-temperature effects on surrounding objects. Such lamps are least suitable for synthetic ceilings. The minimum distance from the lamp to the PVC surface is 40 cm, and this is provided that the device is not more powerful than 60 W. The solution may be to install reflectors between the film and the lamp, but does it make sense to fence such a structure if there are other options? |
| An excellent option for a chandelier under a suspended ceiling. These devices are characterized by high efficiency and long service life. Such devices heat up very little and pose a danger to PVC film. Lighting can be warm or cool, depending on your preference. | |
| Halogen | Halogen lamps heat up slightly, but with prolonged use this heat is enough to deform the stretched material. A 40 W lamp should not be closer to the ceiling than 40 cm. |
Designer advice! A chandelier in a contrasting color looks best on a suspended ceiling. On black - white or silver, on light, respectively, dark metal.
Basic requirements for mounting a chandelier
Attaching a chandelier to a suspended ceiling should be not only durable, but also aesthetically pleasing. Suspended devices mounted on a hook or mounting strip are suitable for suspended ceilings. Overhead chandeliers that are attached tightly to the ceiling on an overhead panel are not suitable.
Important! The height of the chandelier suspension should be sufficient, taking into account the distance between the base and the stretched material.
As an option, you can consider placing the hook for fastening below the level of the PVC film, but then this point must be foreseen in advance, even before the tensioning procedure.
A little about the correct location of a chandelier for suspended ceilings
The height of the chandelier depends on several factors:
- ceiling height;
- ceiling covering;
- purpose of the room.
How to hang a chandelier on a suspended ceiling in living rooms? There must be at least two meters from the floor to the bottom of the device. This way you will eliminate the danger of accidentally touching it when moving around the room. But it is better if this distance is greater, especially when the ceilings in the room are low.
Compact height devices are also suitable for hallways. This design will not interfere with opening doors. In addition, keep in mind that in the corridor people often raise their hands to remove their hats, straighten their hair, or close their umbrellas. So, the higher the lamp is located, the better.
Compact placement is also relevant. There is a risk here of not only touching the structure with your hands, but also accidentally getting hit by a stream of water from the shower.
If the ceilings in the room are higher than 3 meters, you are in luck: you can choose any shape and place it anywhere, even above. For example, it is logical to hang a lamp not in the center of the room, but above the dining group. At the same time, it is organized for the work area.
Advice! Classic ceiling lamps have a suspension in the form of a chain. You can adjust its length by removing and adding links.
The most difficult question is how to attach a chandelier to a suspended ceiling at the location of the “second light”. The peculiarity of the location requires a powerful luminous flux that can spread over two or even three floors. In this case, take a closer look at designs with several tiers or a cascade of lamps.
For your information! Electrical installation rules recommend selecting hooks for lighting fixtures that can withstand five times the weight of the chandelier for at least 10 minutes. After removing the excess load, there should be no damage left on the fastening.
Thus, the choice of chandelier must meet not only design requirements, but also safety and ease of use rules.
Tools for work
The main tool in this matter is your confidence in your own capabilities. Self-installation of a chandelier on a suspended ceiling is not so much a difficult task as it is troublesome and requires extreme care. And there are tools for work in almost every home:
Basis for mounting the chandelier
There is a distance between the concrete or wooden ceiling and the stretch PVC material. It may be different, depending on the characteristics of the room. If the ceilings initially have a defect, it can be easily corrected using a tension structure. It turns out that in order to secure the chandelier, the empty space needs to be filled with something, to create a rigid base.
If the distance is large, a thick block cannot be used; you will have to make a frame. In this case, the perforation area of the film must be reinforced with a gasket; it will additionally protect the PVC from the temperature effects of the lamp. Such gaskets are made in the form of rings, internal and external. They are hidden behind the decorative frame of the wiring and are completely invisible.
Options for installing a chandelier on a suspended ceiling with your own hands
If you decide to start installing a lamp, take care to prepare the base in advance. After the ceiling is stretched, you will not have the opportunity to mount a stand or do any wiring. Usually the master asks in advance where you plan to hang the chandelier. You can prepare the base yourself and lead the wires to the right place in advance.
There are several ways to attach a chandelier. Let's briefly look at the main ones.
With a hook
A hook is the most familiar and common way to hang a chandelier. The only thing you have to do is adjust the length of the hook to the height of the tension fabric. If the hook was installed previously, most likely it will have to be replaced, since the suspended ceiling will “steal” at least 3–5 centimeters.
For fastening, a hole is drilled in the concrete ceiling, a dowel is inserted and a hook with a threaded leg is screwed into it. If the distance between the canvas and the ceiling is too large, a block is attached to the ceiling and a hook is screwed into this base.
Advice! After installing the stretch ceiling, all wiring will be hidden from your eyes. For your own peace of mind, place it in a protective case.
When attaching the chandelier to the hook, make sure that the decorative cup fits snugly to the ceiling panel
Using a mounting plate
Fastening using a strip is found on modern lamp models. The bar itself is a metal plate with holes for fasteners. This plank is attached to the prepared base directly through the ceiling sheet. You only need to cut a small hole for the wiring.
Important! When screwing the bar to the block, be careful not to damage the wiring cord.
To make work easier and not damage the lighting fixture, it is disassembled before installation. It is necessary to remove shades, lamps and hanging decorative elements.
Using a cross bar
Mounting on a cross-shaped bar is not much different from hanging on a regular bar. Cross-shaped fasteners are usually used for heavy chandeliers. The only nuance is in preparing the base. For obvious reasons, the block is not suitable in this case.
A hole for electrical wiring should be drilled in this platform. Metal “legs” are used to adjust the platform to the height of the canvas.
How to choose dowels for mounting a chandelier
For interior work, plastic dowels are used. Considering the possible external temperature effect of the lighting device, it is preferable to use nylon-polyamide inserts.
If the ceiling in the room is concrete, spacers will be required. In cases where the ceilings are multilayer structures with voids, it is better to use dowels.
The thickness of the element depends on the expected load. The suspended structure tends to pull the dowel out of the wall, so it is important that it has spacer tendrils and notches that additionally hold it in the thickness of the material.
To more securely secure the element in the hole, you can use construction adhesive; lubricate the dowel with it before driving it in. Do not try to screw in a screw that is thicker; it may split the liner. It is considered correct to use screws for spacer inserts.
Advice! A chandelier weighing 5÷10 kilograms is secured with an impact dowel with a diameter of 8 mm and a length of 80 mm. To complete the task you will need at least 4 dowels.
Master class for DIYers: how to fix a lamp on a suspended ceiling
And now directly about how to fix the chandelier on a stretch ceiling. As already mentioned, it is necessary to follow a clear algorithm of actions and be puzzled in advance by the location of the lighting fixture and the preparation of the base.
We offer you a small master class on how to attach a chandelier to a suspended ceiling:
| Photo | Description of work |
 | The first step will be marking the location of the lamp and pulling the cord to indicate the height of the canvas. The cord is pulled from the frame through the entire room. |
 | A block is attached to the main ceiling at the location of the chandelier. To do this, holes are drilled in the ceiling, dowels are inserted and the base is screwed with self-tapping screws. |
 | There can be several bars, depending on the height to which the fasteners need to be raised, or you can use metal “legs” that are easily adjustable in height. It is important to thoroughly sand the surface of the block that will come into contact with the canvas. |
 | The wiring is passed under the bar or between two elements. This way she won’t be pulled in case of an unforeseen situation. |
 | To accurately bring the base surface to a dense level, backing elements are used. Afterwards the PVC material is stretched. |
 | Special glue for PVC is applied to the thermal ring for the hole. |
 | Next, you should feel the base with your hands and glue the ring in the center directly to the canvas. It will take time for the glue to dry. |
 | A canvas is cut out in the inner part of the ring. Extreme care must be taken not to damage the wiring. Afterwards, the wire for connection is released into the hole. |
 | Feel the location of the bar and place the mounting strip correctly. |
 | Screw the mounting plate using self-tapping screws. Don't forget to insert the studs first. |
 | Position the chandelier so that the pins fit into the designated holes. Secure the lamp with decorative bolts. |
How to decorate the mounting location of a lamp
If you remember to use a thermal ring, the place where the chandelier is attached will already look neat. A small hole will be hidden behind the base of the lighting fixture. But if the interior design requires the creation of some additional element, use lightweight polyurethane sockets. They imitate