Chandelier Hanging and Lighting
A chandelier normally adds a bit of sparkle and shine to the room where it's hanging. If you want to change out a light fixture to install one of these fixtures, the process is really not much different from installing other lights. However, you must take care to ensure that the chandelier has plenty of support. Chandeliers are usually bigger and heavier than other lights, and they must be attached to something solid. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Wire strippers
- Drill
- Screws (if needed)
- 2 ladders
- Wire nuts
- Electrical tape
- Assistant
Instructions
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1
Turn off the power to the room at the circuit box.
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2
Strip the tips of the wires on the new chandelier before you raise it up to install it. These light fixtures are usually heavy and bulky, making some tasks better performed on the ground. Place the wire stripper in from the end of a wire about 1 inch. Clamp down on the strippers, and then pull away from the wire to pull off the plastic coating. Hold the wire while you do this so you don't loosen it from the chandelier itself.
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3
Set up two ladders under the wire housing, and climb one of them with your drill, screws, electrical tape and wire nuts. Pull off pieces of electrical tape and place the edges on the ladder for later use. Having these already premade will save time while you're working with the bulky light.
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Unscrew the existing light fixture if there is one installed. Lower it and untwist the wires to disconnect it. Set it aside.
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Have an assistant hand the chandelier up to you. Hold it while she climbs up the other ladder, and then hand the chandelier over to her.
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Check the support bar and wire housing to make sure it is secure. The housing should be attached to ceiling joists in the ceiling. If it gives at all when you wiggle it, then it is either loose or not attached properly. It is best that you call an electrician to take a look at it before proceeding. If it's secure, then proceed by unscrewing the support bar that goes across the housing and replacing it with the one that came with the chandelier. It will be sturdier and will fit the holes of the light.
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Tell your assistant to raise the chandelier up to the house wires. Feed the wires through the hole in the middle of the new support and attach them to the chandelier wires. To attach wires, you simply twist the exposed ends together. Black or red should be connected to black or red. Green or plain copper should be attached to green or plain copper, while white should be attached to white.
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Wrap the connections with the premade electrical tape strips. The chandelier is probably getting heavy, so this helps save some time. Twist on wire nuts over the tape for added protection.
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9
Raise the chandelier up to the support bar and line up the installation holes. Drill the light fixture hardware through the fixture and into the support bar to secure it. Attach the decorative cover plate with the small screws.
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10
Read the directions that came with the fixture to find out what kind of light bulbs to use. Some chandeliers can't handle higher-voltage lights or need a special size. Obtain these at a home improvement store, hardware store or other location that sells bulbs. Screw them into the sockets, and then turn the power back on.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
