How to Install a Chandelier

Chandeliers add a sense of class along with proper lighting in a foyer, entryway or any vaulted-ceiling space in your home. But you simply cannot replace any light with a chandelier. Because of the extra weight of the chandelier, you must install it only where the ceiling box is properly anchored to the ceiling joists. If it is new construction, check the weight of your chandelier and purchase the proper fixture bar at the hardware store that can support the fixture's weight. Once you have the electrical box properly supported, the rest of the job is fairly easy, although it does require a second pair of hands in some cases. Here is how to install a chandelier.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Chandelier
• Wire nuts
• Electrical tape
• Screwdrivers
• Wire strippers
• Light bulbs
• Non-contact voltage tester

1. When you purchase your chandelier, it should come with all of the necessary parts for installing it including the bracket, threaded nipple and screws. Open up your chandelier and check the parts supply list to make sure all of the parts that are supposed to be included, in fact are.

2. If you are replacing an existing light fixture, turn it on and toggle your circuit breakers to find out which one delivers the electricity to that box.

3. With the breaker OFF, remove the existing light fixture. Use a non-contact voltage tester to ensure that the circuit is off. Have someone hold the fixture while you disconnect the lead wires.

4. With the existing fixture removed, prepare your new chandelier for installation. You can do this by measuring how long you want the new chandelier to hang and adjust your wires and chain to allow for the ideal height. You can also use the wire strippers to strip about 3/4 inches of insulation off of the wires so you do not have to worry about stripping them while you are on the ladder.

5. Install the support bracket onto the electrical box and screw the threaded nipple into the center of the bar. If the chandelier came with lock nuts, then tighten them on to the threaded nipple to secure it in place.

6. While a helping hand bears the weight of the chandelier, fish the chandelier's wires up and through the bottom of the threaded nipple and into the electrical box. Tighten the chandelier's ground wire to the ground screw inside the box or connect it to the other ground wires inside the box. Use wire connectors (wire nuts) to connect the black chandelier wire to the black wire in the electrical box and the white chandelier wire to the white wire in the box. Tightly wrap electrical tape around the base of the wire nut where it meets the wires.

7. Raise the chandelier's escutcheon plate up and thread the chandelier's collar nut onto the threaded nipple. Avoid using pliers to tighten the nut, as they can damage it and remove some of the decorative finish. Hand-tighten it but make sure that it is tight.

8. Slowly release the hold on the chandelier and allow it to hang freely. Check over your handiwork and make sure that everything is secure and that the escutcheon plate is not loose.

9. Install the proper-rated light bulbs for the chandelier, toggle the circuit breaker back on and flip the switch. Your new chandelier should now be gracefully illuminated!

Tips & Warnings

• Never have two people working from the same ladder. Always have a separate ladder for your helper whose job it is to hold the chandelier during removal and/or installation.