Connecting a ceiling chandelier can be done in two main ways:
- via a switch (two or three buttons)
- via dimmer
In both cases, you get the most important thing from the lamp. Either the chandelier shines at maximum brightness using all the bulbs, or the lamp works with incomplete output, creating a pleasant illumination that does not hurt the eyes.
Let's look at these methods step by step, starting from connecting the cable in the switchboard, and ending with connecting the wires in the chandelier itself. Special attention will be paid to the most common mistakes when performing this work.
How to connect a chandelier via a double switch
In order to make this connection, purchase the following materials:
First of all, take a three-core cable VVGnG-Ls 3*1.5mm2 and stretch it along the groove to the nearest distribution box near the chandelier.
Leave a reserve in it for cutting and connecting the ends.
In the electrical panel, remove the insulation from the cable and connect the phase conductor (let it be conditionally white) to a single-pole circuit breaker.
Place the yellow-green and blue wires in the appropriate places (ground and neutral bars).
It is advisable to mark the stripped cable in the junction box so as not to confuse anything in the future.
- L - phase
- N - zero
- PE – ground
Now, with another 3-core cable from the distribution box under the ceiling, to the mounting box below, where you will stand two-gang switch, you need to make an omission.
You immediately clean the veins and sign:
- L – power phase
- L1 – phase for the first group of lamps in the chandelier
- L2 – phase to the second group of lamps in the chandelier
They need to be signed both on the switch below and in the top box.
Peel off the insulation from both ends and apply markings:
- L1 – phase wire for connecting the first half of the chandelier
- L2 – phase wire for connecting the second half of the chandelier
- N – zero
- PE – ground
Now the most important thing. It all needs to be assembled correctly and connected together in the upper junction box.
In order not to confuse or make mistakes, the inscriptions made earlier will come in handy. With them, all switching is much simpler.
Take Wago terminals and simply connect the wires with the same markings.
After which the box can be closed.
Lead the main power supply L to the common terminal of switch 1.
Usually it is separate, but not all manufacturers have this design. Be careful!
L1 and L2 are connected to the lower terminals 3,4.
Install protective and decorative strips and again go upstairs to the chandelier.
Here the question may arise: how can you find out which wires protruding from the chandelier are phase and which are neutral?
Especially if they are the same color. There can be 3,4,5 depending on the type of lamp and the number of its horns.
Here on help will come multimeter You need to call the wires below, when the chandelier is not yet suspended from the ceiling.
According to the rules, the zero should come to the threaded part of the socket and the light bulb (outer contacts), and the phase to the central contact pin.
Switch the multimeter to the continuity test or resistance measurement mode, and sequentially touch the wires and contact parts of the sockets on each lamp with the probes. You need to achieve a sound signal or find where the resistance is zero.
If there are several zero wires, twist them into one common one.
Proceed to direct connection. To make the sequence easier, first connect protective grounding and a zero core. To do this, use connecting sleeves.
Although Vago terminals can also be used here.
After connecting the ground and zero, it remains to power two phases. Select any of the cores and press the supply wires L1 and L2 with sleeves onto the two phase wires on the lamp.
All that remains is to fix the chandelier on the ceiling and check its functionality.
How to connect a chandelier via a dimmer
Required material for installation:
- two-core cable VVGnG-Ls 2*1.5mm2
- three-core cable VVGnG-Ls 3*1.5mm2
- lamp
The initial stage of installing a 3-wire power cable from the panel to the distribution box is the same as in the previously considered option. The connection in the panel is again made to a single-pole circuit breaker.
The difference is that now it is not a three-core, but a two-wire cable that goes down to the place where the dimmer is installed. It must be marked as follows:
- L – phase wire from the switchboard
- Chandelier - phase wire for connecting the chandelier itself
Apply three inscriptions on its conductors in places where the insulation has been stripped:
- Chandelier (power phase)
- zero
- Earth
After that, in the box using Vago clamps, connect the wires according to all the inscriptions.
Connect identically marked wires to each other.
Move to the dimmer at the bottom. Connect the main power phase that comes from the electrical panel (previously you labeled it as L) to the dimmer terminal labeled “L” or “phase”.
Clamp the other core labeled “Chandelier” under the screw with the dimmable load icon.
On the chandelier, the phase conductor labeled “Chandelier” is connected through a pressed sleeve to the supply wire of the lamp.
If you have several phase conductors coming out of the lamp (two, three, four carob chandeliers), then to connect the load through a dimmer, simply twist them into one common wire Nick.
All that remains is to connect zero and ground, apply voltage and check the functionality of the entire structure.
Frequent connection errors
The main errors are related to connecting to double switch. Three of them are the most common.
How does a normal chandelier connection diagram work, for example, two or three arms? There is a phase that comes into the junction box.
In this case, the zero only comes into the box and immediately goes to the chandelier, without going down to the switch.
This is where the first mistake lies. Many people, out of ignorance or by mixing up the markings, lower both phase and zero down to the switch.
They turn it on to the terminals, after which they start to turn on the key, and the machine knocks out.
Remember, zero should never enter the switch, but only phase. The zero wire should immediately go to the ceiling.
The second error is again related to zero. By mixing up the two wires, you can switch the switch to zero instead of phase.
It may even be that everything will work fine for you, but the voltage will be constantly present on the lamp. This can result in an electric shock when you want to change the light bulbs.
By turning off the key, you will break the zero wire, and the phase will still go directly to the arm sockets of the chandelier.
What else is dangerous about such a connection? Through the filaments of the light bulb, the phase will arrive at the terminal clamps of the switch itself. If you remove the cover from it and start checking the glow on the contacts with an indicator screwdriver, you will be very surprised.
Even when the keys are turned off, the indicator will light up and show the presence of voltage on both one and the other terminal.
Moreover, if you make a similar measurement under the ceiling on a chandelier, you will also find the presence of voltage on all three wires, except for the ground wire.
To make this effect disappear, just unscrew the light bulbs from the lampshades.
The third error occurs when connecting the phase supply wire to the switch, not to the main common contact, but to one of the outgoing ones. In this case, only half of the chandelier will glow.
The repair is completed, there is a need to connect to electrical network lighting fixtures. The home master faces a serious question: how to connect a chandelier with 3 wires. At first glance, the task does not seem too difficult. But if the number of wires coming out of the ceiling is greater or less than that of the light source, they are of different colors, then it will be quite problematic for an uninitiated person to figure it out.
An incorrect connection can lead to damage. electric shock or the formation of a short circuit. A job well done will allow you to enjoy the bright light of the lamps.
Wiring modern apartment is made with a three-core wire - this is a phase, neutral, grounding cable. According to the rules established by the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization, Russia, European countries, China, the marking is as follows:
- yellow-green, green, yellow – protective zero, the Latin “PE” is written on the diagrams;
- blue tint indicates neutrality of the wire (working zero), designation “N”;
- grey, black or brown, transfers phase voltage, "L".
It is logical for Russia after 2009, but in other countries the marking may differ; it depends on the date of manufacture of the electrical appliance or indoors. When was construction going on? Soviet Union, wiring was laid in the color available, most often white. Therefore, you need to be able to determine the meaning of the wires inside the chandelier sticking out from the ceiling.
Required Equipment
Before starting work, prepare the necessary tools:
- voltmeter*;
- ohmmeter*;
- indicator screwdriver;
- stripping knife;
- pliers;
- insulating tape;
- terminal block;
- electrical insulating tubes (cambrics);
- stepladder or table.
* these measuring instruments are components of multimeters, which can also be used for testing electrical circuits.
Determination of conductor ownership
To determine the purpose of the core and be sure how to connect it correctly, you will have to tinker. There are no difficulties with two wires of the same color sticking out of the wall. If they are mixed up, the current in the cartridge will be supplied not to the central part, but to the side lobe. The lamps will light up. If there are more conductors, an incorrect connection will not allow the lights to come on or the introductory circuit breakers in the apartment will be knocked out.
The purpose of the conductor is determined using a special indicator screwdriver. One finger is pressed against the end of the device, with the tip touching the conductor. When the indicator lights up, it indicates a phase conductor. Be sure to recheck with the switch off; the light should not light up.
If there are three separate cables coming out of the ceiling, there are two options:
- a double lighting circuit is used - when different switch keys are pressed, they light up different groups lamps;
- a power supply circuit with a protective zero is used - if a short circuit or flooding occurs, a special automatic device is triggered, turning off electrical energy, preventing electric shock.
In the first case, the check is carried out with an indicator screwdriver. In the second, you will need a socket with a screwed-in lamp with an attached cable. Having found out the location of the phase, it is connected through a test lamp to the remaining ones, the light is on, the remaining wire is the ground wire. No – zero.
If you use a voltmeter, it is definitely possible to identify phase and neutral terminals. Two phases will not show a potential difference between themselves (voltage 220 V). By placing the multimeter probes between the phase and ground, you can see the readings on the device display. To carry out the test, the measurement mode is set to “Voltage”, the scale is above 220 V.
When there are no measuring instruments, you can find out the value of the cores by disassembling the switch. The neutral wire goes directly to the lighting fixture. The phase conductors pass through the switch keys.
The ends of the conductors are marked as accepted by the standards. To do this, use colored electrical insulating tubes and multi-colored insulating tape. If they are missing, you can use markers.
Checking the wires inside the chandelier
After the purpose of the conductors located on the ceiling has been clarified, it must be repeated in the electrical appliance. The easiest way is to study the passport of the lighting source; the diagram will indicate the purpose of the conductors. If you don’t have it, you will have to arm yourself with a multimeter and follow the instructions:
- Turn on the device, set the resistance measurement mode or dialing mode. In the first case, when the terminals are closed, the device will show values tending to zero. Or it will beep;
- Light bulbs are unscrewed. Inside the central part of the cartridges, there are phase contacts, and zero contacts on the sides. One of the side lobes may not be connected;
- The probe is applied to any zero terminal. Others take turns touching the wires protruding from the chandelier. The sound signal will indicate zero; it must be marked with a cambric;
- The phase output is also calculated. Only the probe needs to be applied to the central contact of the cartridge, the found core is marked;
- Then we attach the multimeter lead to the phase wire, if after checking all the central contacts with a probe, a signal is heard, then the chandelier has one circuit (when power is applied, all the lamps will light up);
- The remaining third wire can play the role of a ground wire. Checked by shorting to the body. Or combine a second group of lamps (double-circuit chandelier).
In accordance with the requirements of the PUE, the wire through which phase voltage flows must come to the central contact of the cartridge. The switch opens it. To increase operational safety, try to adhere to the rules. Many electricians don't do this.
Before connecting the chandelier, mandatory check availability short circuits between the housing, phase and neutral wires. If there are any, the electrical device must be disassembled and any problems identified must be eliminated, otherwise its use is prohibited.
Connecting the wires correctly
For safe operation compliance is required simple rules core connections:
- During repairs electrical appliance, combining conductors in groups, creating double-circuit chandeliers, you cannot twist and then wrap it insulating material. Over time, oxidation will begin, electrical contact will deteriorate, the junction will begin to heat up, and there will be a risk of a fire hazard. To avoid unpleasant consequences, it is necessary to solder the connection;
- You can connect to the conductors that come out of the ceiling only through terminal blocks. Appliances purchased recently have similar devices; for old lamps, they are purchased at an electrical goods store.
Sometimes situations arise when a group of wires has larger diameter than the holes at the terminal block. Then it must be filled with tin, and a copper core with a cross-section of at least 0.5 mm 2 soldered to it.
If you plan to install a stretch or suspended ceiling, you will need to build up the conductors, since standard length may not be enough. Then the terminal block will help, the main thing is in the holes where the conductors fit, tighten the fasteners with the greatest force.
Before connecting a chandelier with three wires, check that everything is insulated and that there is no breakdown of electric current to the lamp body. Having completed the study of the ceiling and chandelier, you can proceed directly to the connection process.
It is important to turn off the power to the room before starting work. In the apartment, you need to find the appropriate machine and turn it to the “Off” position. Be sure to check that the electrical network is not live using an indicator screwdriver.
Check for a hook or strip on the ceiling to mount an electrical appliance. The light source must have a structurally designed bracket or chain. Once the chandelier is secured, you can begin connecting the electrical wires.
Connection diagram for two wires coming out of the ceiling
Chandeliers with one lamp or a frame, which is made of plastic parts that do not conduct electrical energy, may have two wires for power. When executing following instructions There will be no connection difficulties:
- The purpose of the conductors coming out of the ceiling is determined;
- If the chandelier is single-circuit, but has three terminals, the “ground” is identified, cut off, completely isolated, and excluded from the connection process;
- Connection work should begin with “neutral” conductors;
- If there are two or more circuits, the phase conductors of the lamp are combined with terminal clamps, and a separate output is connected to the electrical network of the house or apartment;
- The supply voltage is applied and the result is checked.
The ceiling with a chandelier contains three wires
With this scenario, it is possible that the lamp and apartments are made according to modern standards. A power supply circuit with protective zero. Then you can connect wires that match in color through the terminal block. But it is better to carry out an additional check, in the electrical network, inside the chandelier. Next steps carry out according to the instructions for two wires.
Another layout option, a two-key switch for a double-circuit chandelier. With its help, you can change the lighting intensity of the room. Including a small or large group of light bulbs or the entire chandelier.
All wires must have different colors and are marked according to existing standards (L1 – first phase, L2 – second, N – zero).
In Russian realities, this condition is rarely met, so it is advisable to play it safe:
- You need to figure out which wire is needed for what;
- Phase and neutral wires are marked;
- The supply voltage is turned off, and its absence is checked again with an indicator screwdriver;
- Groups of lighting device circuits are checked by phase conductors;
- The connection is checked neutral wire to each of the horns. It is connected to the outlet from the ceiling;
- The last to be connected are the phase conductors, united in groups;
- Voltage is applied and the operation of the chandelier is checked.
Safety precautions
When connecting a chandelier, any electrical work You must be careful and be extremely attentive. Receiving an electrical injury causes cardiac arrest, and a spasm of the respiratory muscles may occur. The rules are quite simple:
- Any work is carried out only when the power is turned off, even if it is necessary to change the light bulb;
- The voltage is switched off at the common input circuit breaker of the residential premises. Clicking the switch keys is not enough, since the initial connection may be incorrect;
- All instruments must have handles covered with insulating material and no signs of damage;
- Before starting work, you must make sure, using an indicator screwdriver, that there is no voltage;
- It is advisable to lay a dielectric mat under your feet, or use a material that does not conduct electricity.
Possibilities of new technological solutions
Progress does not stand still, counters retail outlets We are pleased with ever more advanced and life-friendly products. Remote control remote control TV, today you can’t surprise anyone. Many have heard about smart homes. Having mastered the process of connecting a chandelier, it becomes possible to take the first step towards an intelligent home.
These are chandeliers that can be controlled from a switch built into the wall, as well as via a remote control from anywhere in the room. Which will add additional comfort and safety. It’s nice to turn on the light in the evening without getting up from the couch, to avoid collisions with doors and corners in the dark.
Structurally different from conventional ones lighting fixtures, these chandeliers are different additional element management. Installation of the product is almost identical to connecting standard lighting sources.
In any case, it is advisable to leave an ordinary chandelier for operation as a complex if the radio-controlled module fails. After all, the battery may suddenly run out or small children may lose the remote control.
The installation process is not complicated, since all the electronics are hidden inside the case; all that remains is to connect two wires. The quality of the control unit directly depends on the cost of the product, therefore, in order for the device to serve for a long time, it is better to choose a model of a higher price category.
Before connecting a chandelier with 3 wires, prepare everything necessary materials and tools, please read the instructions. It's not that difficult; any home craftsman can cope with the task.
But if confidence in own strength is not great, then seek help from specialists. They deal with such issues all the time and will do the work quickly and at a high professional level.
Why a chandelier?
When installing and arranging lighting for residential premises, the consumer's first priority is always the uniformity of lighting. This is why LED strips and neon light tubes have become so popular today - their light is not concentrated at one point, does not hurt the eyes and eliminates the occurrence of shadowed areas.
But with all this, the well-known chandeliers, located on the ceiling in the center of the room, have not lost their position. On the contrary: the variety of shapes and designs of modern chandeliers is simply amazing. A chandelier can be an element of the interior, personifying the owners’ desire for chic and external gloss. A chandelier can logically complete the design of a room in hi-tech style, it can be brightly integrated into the interior of a children's room or create a cozy atmosphere in the living room.
And, in the end, necessity general lighting no one has yet canceled the premises, but more successful and nice solution this question than a chandelier has not yet been invented.
However, the installation of chandeliers has a number of specific features, which we will try to talk about.
How to install a chandelier?
The most popular way to install a chandelier today remains hook. The chandelier hook is attached to the ceiling (real ceiling), for example, using an anchor or plastic dowels. Mount the hook directly on plasterboard ceiling unacceptable: it may not withstand the weight of a massive chandelier. The same applies to a stretch ceiling, in which there is a hole for the cable outlet and the end of the hook. The location of the hole is pre-reinforced using an adhesive plastic ring.
Chandeliers designed for installation on a hook, contain structural element, which can be conventionally called a “glass”. The position of the glass on the central tube of the chandelier is adjustable in height so that the glass can hide the hole in the ceiling and the terminal connections of the cable cores. Instead of a tube, by the way, there can be a chain, a cable, and even the electrical cord itself, if its insulation is reinforced and the weight of the chandelier is not very large (typical for single-lamp chandeliers).
When both switch keys are turned on, there should be two “phases” and one “zero” that does not respond by flickering the indicator light. You should not forget only about basic electrical safety measures and take on this matter with the utmost caution.
The tested wires must be marked, and then you can move on to the wires coming from the chandelier. If you have no doubts about them and, for example, the manufacturer has even included a schematic diagram, then, as they say, you don’t have to bother. But if there are doubts, then it is better to dispel them. To do this, we connect the suspected wires in pairs and alternately to a two-wire cord with a plug, which we plug into the outlet. The lamps, of course, must be in place.
Our task is to find two pairs that will light up two different series lamps, and which will have one common wire. We confidently call this common wire neutral, and the remaining two - phase wires.
For a chandelier controlled by a single-key switch, everything is much simpler. The phase and neutral conductors in it are easy to notice, and changing their places does not change anything at all. The main thing is not to make a mistake with zero protective conductor(if available) and place it on the body of the chandelier.
Some chandeliers, containing large number lamps, have only two terminals for connection, that is, they are formally intended to be turned on only with the help of single-key switch. If the wire connections in such a chandelier are accessible for inspection, then it can be converted into a two-key switch. Then you need to disconnect the phase wires of one of the groups of lamps from common line and withdraw separately.
To connect the wires of the chandelier and lighting lines, it is best to use. You can use screw clamps, for example ZVI, if only the flexible ends coming from the chandelier are pre-tinned. If there is enough space for installation, then you can get by with ordinary ones. However, it is better to use the same extra space to preserve the length of the cores. Such a reserve will certainly not be superfluous.
In a separate line, we can mention chandeliers with compact halogen lamps, which may include an electronic step-down transformer. Such chandeliers do not need any terminal blocks - transformer terminals are enough for them. Moreover, some of these chandeliers have the ability to control a transformer with. This means that even for step-by-step activation of the chandelier, a single-key switch will be sufficient - after all, all control will take place via a wireless line.
Alexander Molokov
Owners, wanting to equip their home with a new, more attractive light source, enthusiastically choose chandeliers and wall lamps. If everything is simple with lamps and sconces, just plug it into a socket and it works, then questions may arise with the chandelier. However, after the purchase is made, the following mandatory steps will be:
- assembly of the chandelier, how long this stage will last depends on the complexity of the chandelier design,
- installation of a chandelier on the ceiling.
You can assemble the chandelier in a relatively short time if you follow the instructions in the attached file and use basic tools. But how to connect the chandelier correctly, is that a question?
Connect ceiling chandelier It’s not a difficult matter, but in order to do it correctly you need to have knowledge in the field of electrical engineering. Most people do not know how to do this, since they have been studying the laws of physics for quite a long time. It turns out that you will have to seek help from a person who knows how to connect a chandelier or a professional. Or get acquainted with the safety rules when installing a chandelier.
- First of all, when starting work, you need to turn off the power supply to the room in which the chandelier will be installed. (In other words, turn off the power that goes to the wires sticking out of the ceiling; for this, it is not enough to turn the switch to the off position; experts recommend turning off the circuit breakers located on the panel).
- Prepare the wires for testing; to do this, they must be disconnected. This is done to prevent them from touching. The wires must be labeled in accordance with the accepted markings, the letter N denotes the neutral wire, and the Latin phase is L. Using an indicator screwdriver, alternately touching the bare areas, you can determine which of the wires is supplied with which type of power. When the LED lights up upon contact with the wire, this is a phase and should be noted, since voltage passes through it.
- After the wires have been sorted out, the power supply is turned off again and only after that they begin installation work. It is better to use terminal clamps to connect wires,
they are much more effective than traditional twisting, although it is quite acceptable to use it. Only in this case is it necessary to protect the twisting area with protective caps.
Protect the twist with insulation tape or PVC tapes It’s not worth it, it dries out over time, which significantly reduces its characteristics.
There are several options for connecting a chandelier, which determine how exactly the chandelier will be connected.
- On the number of wires that come out of the chandelier;
- From the number of wires that stick out from the chandelier;
- Depending on the number of keys on the switch.
This article describes in detail various schemes chandelier connections, which will tell you how to connect a chandelier of exactly the design you have chosen.
Option No. 1 Two wires on the ceiling and two wires on the chandelier.
The easiest option for installing a chandelier. It is he who requires virtually no effort. For this case, it is enough to connect two wires from the chandelier to the wires on the ceiling. Before making a connection, you must determine where the phase is and where the zero is. In this case, when installing a chandelier, it does not matter in what sequence the wires are connected.
a) Diagram of how to connect a chandelier with one bulb to a single-key switch.
The diagram shows exactly how the chandelier is connected. The wire carrying a zero charge is indicated in blue, which comes from the distribution panel and must be connected to the neutral wire of the lighting fixture. The brown wire is a phase; it must be connected not only to the chandelier, but also to the switch.
b) Diagram of how to connect a chandelier with two or three bulbs to a single-key switch.
Before connecting a chandelier with two or three bulbs to a switch with one button, you should connect all the neutral wires coming from it, and only then with those coming from the junction box. In a similar way, you should connect the wires with the phase to each other, and only then with the one that comes from the switch.
Option No. 2 Two wires on the chandelier and three wires on the ceiling.
IN modern buildings The wiring is laid from a three-core cable, in which the wires are painted in different colors. Thus, we get the following picture: three wires go to the place where the chandelier is attached. How to connect a chandelier in this case, since there are only two of them? The first step is to use an indicator to determine which wire is on the ceiling. Usually two of them are a phase, and the third is a neutral conductor. The presence of two phase wires indicates that this chandelier can be connected to a two-key switch. But since in in this case If we are considering a chandelier with two wires, it is quite acceptable to use a single-key switch. In this case, you must proceed as follows: de-energize the area and isolate one of the phase wires. And after this, the chandelier is installed on the ceiling according to the previously described method.
Option No. 3 Three or more wires on the chandelier and two wires on the ceiling
In the case when only two wires come out of the ceiling, there is only one option for installing a chandelier, and this does not depend on how many wires stick out from it, all the light bulbs on it will light up at the same time. The sequence of actions when connecting is very simple: combine all the neutral wires together and then connect them to the wire of the same name on the ceiling. The same actions are done with phase wires.
Option No. 4 Three or more wires on the chandelier and three wires on the ceiling.
For this connection method, it is assumed to use a switch with two keys. It is this approach that ensures rational lighting in work area rooms, and combine the order and number of lamps turned on. In this case, the wires coming out of the ceiling are usually marked as follows:
Phase wire L1
Phase wire L2
Neutral wire N
Since when laying electrical wiring it is not always observed color scheme connection, and also depending on the type of cable that is used for wiring, it is necessary to check the purpose of each wire using an indicator screwdriver. If there is no indicator, then you can disassemble the switch and inspect the connection sequence. And determine what color wires go from the switch to the ceiling, which phase wires will go to the switch, and the neutral wire from the panel goes directly to the chandelier.
We should not forget that all work with electrical wiring is carried out only when the power supply is turned off. Connecting this type of chandelier to a two-key switch differs only in that all the wires that come from the lamps must first be divided into two groups. It is this connection method that allows you to turn on one group of lamps when you press one switch key, and connect the rest when you press another.
Connecting in this form makes it possible to connect one button to turn on both one and several lamps.
This example demonstrates connecting two lamps to one switch key, and when switched on using another, three steel ones will be switched on.
And this example demonstrates connecting three lamps to each switch key.
It is quite possible to connect a chandelier of 6 arms in such a way that one button turns on 5 lamps at once, and the second turns on one. If the chandelier you purchased larger number The horns are connected according to the principle already described; it is enough to distribute the lamps into groups and connect them to a specific switch key.
Option No. 5 Three or more wires on the chandelier and four on the ceiling.
If electrical wiring was laid relatively recently, it is quite possible that in this case a grounding wire is provided. It performs a protective function. This wire is usually yellow brown, it is usually marked PE - which means grounding conductor. The remaining wires are phases L1 and L2, and the wire carrying zero charge. If the design of the chandelier provides a grounding wire, it must be connected to the wire of the same name that comes out of the ceiling. If there is no grounding wire, then the one that comes out of the ceiling must simply be insulated.
How to connect several chandeliers to one switch?
This question arises when there are several sources in the room. artificial lighting. For example, these are large halls where several chandeliers are located or living room, which provides for the connection of several groups of halogen or LED lamps. Sometimes it also becomes necessary to connect chandeliers that illuminate different rooms for one switch.There is a specific scheme for this type of connection. All chandeliers must be connected in parallel. That is, each of the chandeliers can be connected through separately located distribution boxes, or in one, it depends on the distribution of electrical wiring in the room. This is the most common way to connect kitchen, toilet and bathroom lighting to one switch. This is very convenient, as it allows you to turn on the lighting in the desired room from the corridor.
How to connect a chandelier to two different switches?
In order to make this type of connection, you will have to purchase special pass-through switches. They differ from conventional switches in their design features and the presence wiring diagrams three contacts. If you connect the contacts as indicated in the diagram, this will allow you to control the lighting according to two switches at once.
The figure shows that the pass-through switch has three contacts:
- common, which provides an output for connecting to a chandelier or to a wire with a phase
- the other two use their switches similar type connect with each other.
Due to the design features, such a connection must be thought out in advance, or you will have to lay an additional wire and make additional cosmetic repairs.
Halogen lamps - the advantages of their use and connection diagrams.
It is no secret that using halogen lamps is much more profitable compared to incandescent lamps. Not only because of their efficiency in terms of electricity consumption, but also because of the wide range of products on the market. The lighting from such lamps remains as bright as when using incandescent lamps, if not many times brighter. Halogen lamps are low voltage lamps of 24, 12, and 6 Volts.
The only mandatory requirement when connecting such lamps is the installation of a special step-down transformer in order to convert 220 W. to the nominal value requested by the bulbs.
In order to connect several halogen lamps to one switch, they must first be connected in parallel to each other.
Transformers, thanks to their small sizes, easily fit into the suspended ceiling frame.
Depending on the planned ceiling design, the number of lamps and transformers may vary. It is important to remember that each step-down transformer must be connected to the network separately. Laying a new electrical wiring line. The wires to them will converge in one junction box.
Such transformers have special features; they must be located at a distance of at least 20 cm from heat sources. Experts also recommend not to exceed the length of the wires coming out of them by a distance of more than 2-2.5 m. If they are disturbed, this may affect the brightness of the halogen lamps.
Chandelier with remote control - luxury or convenience?
The latest developments in the field of lighting are chandeliers with a lighting remote control, which includes all control elements.
Undoubtedly, positive aspects The chandelier, which is controlled via a remote control, will allow you to turn off the light without getting up from the sofa or crawling out from under the blanket; you won’t have to worry about hitting corners and furniture.
Installing such a chandelier does not require any specialized knowledge, since it is connected in exactly the same way as an ordinary chandelier, as you wish, using one of the described methods. The lighting can be controlled by the lighting controller built into the chandelier. Still, you shouldn't get rid of wall switch, since the batteries in the remote control can always run out or it can get lost.
Before starting work on connecting the chandelier, I recommend that you familiarize yourself with its structure.
Designation of chandelier wires
Contacts for connecting to the electrical wiring wires on the chandelier are indicated by the following Latin letters:
- L– phase,
- N– neutral wire,
- RE– grounding conductor yellow-green colors.
Markings on chandeliers have only recently begun, and chandeliers produced a long time ago may not have markings. In this case, you will have to figure it out yourself.
About connecting the ground wire in the chandelier
IN modern chandeliers With metal fittings ground wire is installed yellow-green colors. The ground wire is designated in Latin letters RE. If the apartment's electrical wiring is made with a grounding wire (it must be yellow-green, but can be of any color), then it also needs to be connected to the terminal to which it is connected yellow-green chandelier wire.
In houses old building Apartment electrical wiring is usually made without a grounding conductor. Old chandeliers or those with plastic fittings also do not have a grounding conductor. In such cases, the grounding conductor is not connected; it will not affect the performance of the chandelier, since it only performs a protective function.
In the photographs, the wires coming out of the ceiling and chandelier are shown in white, and this is no coincidence. There is no single international standard on the color marking of wires in the electrical network, and even more so in chandeliers. And in Russia, the color marking of electrical wires has changed since January 1, 2011. Only the PE ground wire is marked yellow-green in the specifications of all countries color.
Attention! Before connecting the chandelier, to prevent electric shock, it is necessary to de-energize the electrical wiring. To do this, turn off the corresponding circuit breaker in the distribution panel and check the reliability of the shutdown using the phase indicator.
Chandelier connection diagrams
Despite the variety of models, all chandeliers, including LED chandeliers with remote control, are connected according to one of the schemes discussed below. To connect, it is enough to connect the wires coming out of the ceiling correctly to the terminals of the terminal installed on the chandelier body. The work is simple and anyone can do it home handyman, even without electrical experience.
If there are 2 wires coming out of the ceiling and the chandelier
Connecting a single-arm chandelier, consisting of one light bulb, and a single-key switch in the electrical wiring usually does not cause difficulties. It is enough to connect two wires coming out of the ceiling using any type of terminal block with the wires coming out of the base of the chandelier.
Although PUE requirements twisting electrical wires is currently prohibited, but in a hopeless situation, taking into account the fact that the chandelier consumes low current, you can temporarily connect the chandelier by twisting and then insulating the connection.
![](https://i1.wp.com/ydoma.info/photos/electricity/lustra/shemy-podkljuchenija/podkljuchenie-lustri-2x2.jpg)
According to the requirements of the PUE, to increase operational safety, the phase wire must be connected to the central contact in the electric cartridge, and the switch must open the phase wire. It is advisable to follow this rule. But in practice, no one thinks about this; they usually connect the switch and chandelier as needed.
If there are 2 wires coming out of the ceiling and a multi-arm chandelier
If a chandelier has several arms, but only two wires come out of it, it means that all the light bulbs inside the chandelier are connected in parallel, and such a chandelier is connected according to the above diagram.
If there are 2 wires coming out of the ceiling, 3 or more from the chandelier
Let's consider more difficult option connecting the chandelier, the wires in it are connected to enable each bulb to be turned on separately. For our case, all pairs of wires from the cartridges, regardless of their number, must be connected in parallel. One option is to install an additional jumper made of wire (pictured pink color).
![](https://i0.wp.com/ydoma.info/photos/electricity/lustra/shemy-podkljuchenija/podkljuchenie-lustri-2x3.jpg)
You can do without installing a jumper. It is enough to unscrew the screws at the first and third terminals, remove the wire coming from the left socket from the first terminal, and insert it into the third, together with the right wire coming from the right socket.
If there are 3 wires coming out of the ceiling and 2 from the chandelier
Typically three wires come out of the ceiling if a two-gang switch is installed. First of all, you need to deal with the wires coming out of the ceiling - find the common wire. This is easy to do if you have a phase indicator.
To search for a common wire, you need to turn on both keys on the switch and sequentially touch each wire with an indicator probe. Depending on which wire opens the switch, phase or neutral, two options for the indicator’s behavior are possible.
- When you touch two wires there is a glow, but not the third. In this case, the wire on which there is no glow is common.
- When you touch one of the wires there is a glow, but not the other two. Then the wire on which there is a glow is common.
Without a phase indicator, it’s also easy to figure out the connection. You need to connect any two wires from the ceiling to the chandelier and turn on both switch keys. If the light comes on, it means that the connection has been made with the common wire and one of the wires coming from the switch. You can leave it like that. If you want to understand the wires completely, you need to brute-force the connection so that when both keys on the switch are turned on, the light does not come on. This way you can find the wires coming from the switch.
![](https://i1.wp.com/ydoma.info/photos/electricity/lustra/shemy-podkljuchenija/podkljuchenie-lustri-3x2.jpg)
All that remains is to clamp the common wire and any other wire coming from the ceiling with a pair of chandelier wires into the terminal. If you need to connect a chandelier so that the light is turned on by any of the two switch keys, then place a jumper (pink in the photo) or clamp the wires, which are connected by a jumper in the photo, in one terminal. The jumper can be installed not in the terminal block, but in the switch.
If there are 3 wires coming out of the ceiling, several from the chandelier
If you want not all the light bulbs of a multi-light chandelier to turn on at the same time, but in groups, then the chandelier must be connected according to the diagram below. Required condition is the presence of a two-key switch. You need to connect a two- or three-arm chandelier according to the method described above. A common wire is determined from three coming out of the ceiling. One wire from pairs coming from each chandelier socket is connected to it.
![](https://i1.wp.com/ydoma.info/photos/electricity/lustra/shemy-podkljuchenija/podkljuchenie-lustri-3x3.jpg)
The remaining two wires are connected to the remaining free conductors from the pairs coming from the chandelier sockets. It will be much easier to cope with connecting a multi-arm chandelier if you become familiar with its structure.
Connection diagram for 2-3 chandeliers
from a single-key switch
In a large room, or if a suspended ceiling is installed, for good lighting you have to install several chandeliers or spotlights mounted in the ceiling, which must be turned on simultaneously with one single-key switch.
Sometimes it is necessary to connect the switch in such a way that it can turn on the lights in two, three or more rooms at the same time. In this case, chandeliers or lamps are connected in parallel, like several sockets in one chandelier, according to the following diagram.
![](https://i1.wp.com/ydoma.info/photos/electricity/lustra/shemy-podkljuchenija/podkljuchenie-lustri-3x1.jpg)
Each chandelier in the diagram is connected to the switch through a separate junction box, but all connections can be made in one junction box, it all depends on the wiring diagram in the room. If each chandelier has many horns, then they are connected in parallel, as for the connection case discussed above, when two wires come out of the ceiling, and three or more from the chandelier.
Connection diagram for three chandeliers
from one three-key switch
If in one or more rooms you need to turn on each chandelier separately from one three-key switch, then you should connect the chandeliers according to the diagram below.
![](https://i1.wp.com/ydoma.info/photos/electricity/lustra/shemy-podkljuchenija/podkljuchenie-lustri-3x1-3.jpg)
This option for connecting lamps is often used when controlling lamps installed in the bathroom, toilet and kitchen. One three-key switch is installed in the corridor, and the corresponding chandelier is turned on before entering the room.
Connecting a chandelier
to the Viko switch block (Viko) with socket
Sometimes it is necessary to install an additional socket next to the switch. If necessary, it is advisable to replace the installed switch with a block consisting of switches and a socket, for example Viko (Viko), shown in the photo. There are from one key to four switches for a chandelier in a block. So there is an opportunity to choose the right one. The photo shows a two-key unit with LED backlighting and one socket.
![](https://i1.wp.com/ydoma.info/photos/electricity/lustra/shemy-podkljuchenija/blok-viko-vneshnii-vid.jpg)
You need to connect the switch block with a socket to the chandelier according to the diagram below. As you can see, the circuit is not much different from connecting a chandelier to an ordinary switch, with the exception of an additional wire running from the neutral wire to the left terminal of the socket.
![](https://i1.wp.com/ydoma.info/photos/electricity/lustra/shemy-podkljuchenija/blok-viko-sxema-podkljuchenija-lustri-3x1.jpg)
In the diagram, the connection of wires is shown in accordance with the requirements of the PUE; in real wiring, zero and phase can be connected in reverse. If, for example, there was a two-key switch, but you need a single-key switch with a socket, then you can not lay an additional wire, but use a free one, switching it in the distribution box to zero or phase, depending on which wire goes to the switch.
Building or extending wires
when connecting a chandelier
Now, when renovating an apartment, they began to install suspended ceilings. Tension ones are especially popular. They have great view, practically do not wear out, come in any color with a glossy or matte surface, and are not afraid of water. Stretch ceilings are installed at a distance of 5-10 cm below the existing ceiling plane, so the length of the conductors for connecting the lamps becomes insufficient. It is necessary to increase their length.
The complexity of the task lies in the fact that it will be impossible to get to the place where the wires are spliced to connect a chandelier or other lamps after installing the ceiling without dismantling it. This means that the connection must be made in the most reliable way. Connecting wires in hard to reach places using a terminal block is not a reliable type of connection. The screws in the terminal block may become loose over time and will need to be tightened.
The website article “Connection of broken wires in the wall” discusses in detail in photographs the methods of connecting aluminum and copper wires each other, just suitable for the case of extending wires to connect a chandelier or other lamps. For a secure connection when extending aluminum wires copper, I recommend reading the article “How to connect aluminum wires”. To extend the wires to connect the chandelier to suspended ceiling one of the methods described in the article, threaded or permanently rivet, will do.
Wire cross-section for connecting the chandelier
If the chandelier is equipped with six hundred-watt incandescent light bulbs, designed for a supply voltage of 220 V, then the current consumption will not exceed 3 A. A copper conductor with a cross-section of 0.5 mm 2 can withstand such current, and standard apartment wiring is usually made with wires with a cross-section of at least 2.5 mm 2. So, when connecting a chandelier with 220 V light bulbs, you don’t have to worry about the wire cross-section. When connecting a chandelier with LED lamps, you also don’t have to worry about the wire cross-section.
When connecting a chandelier or lamps with halogen bulbs to a voltage of 12 V, the current consumption becomes much larger, and the cross-section of the wire in the wiring section from the step-down transformer or adapter to the chandelier lamps must be calculated using the online calculator below and check its compliance.
The current consumption of which is tens of times less than that of incandescent lamps.