Connecting and mounting the ceiling lamp - Simple instructions

• preparation
• Connect ceiling light
  • Switch off the power supply
  • Prepare work
  • Hang the ceiling lamp
  • Mount new ceiling light
  • Check the lamp
  • Theses
• Digression: put ceiling hook

To connect a ceiling lamp is not too difficult. Nevertheless, it is handled here with electrical equipment, which are operated at 240 volts. Therefore, the basic recommendation is to have this work carried out only by a trained specialist. Read here what to pay attention to when installing a ceiling light.

safety first

The procedures described here are a general description. They are not a guide. We recommend to consult a certified specialist for all work on the electrical system of a house. Handling 240 volts of electricity can lead to life-threatening situations. It is therefore important to observe all safety instructions and always work as carefully as possible if you want to try it yourself.

preparation

What should the ceiling light afford ">

The trade holds an incalculable number of lamps ready. In addition, lamps have hardly any significant wear. If you pay attention to a few things, even used lamps can be used again. With every ceiling lamp you can change the bulbs or disconnect the umbrellas from the cables. The retailers also have ready-to-use replacement cables, which are universally compatible with every screen.
A lamp not only provides light, it also creates mood and atmosphere. That makes the lamps so versatile. It always pays to invest some time and consideration in buying a suitable lamp.

No discussion: Only use LEDs!

The eternally bursting and burning incandescent bulbs of past times were more than just a nuisance. Above all, they were a gigantic waste of energy. Of the 100% energy input, the filament lamps converted only 5% into usable light. The rest is lost in heat. Therefore, the conventional incandescent lamps always caused a great fire hazard.

This was much better with the energy-saving lamps: after all, they had an efficiency of 12%. However, it is paid for with unpleasant side effects: the lamps sold as energy-saving lamps were basically only shrunken fluorescent tubes. To be able to build so small, large amounts of toxic mercury had to be used. If an energy-saving lamp breaks down, the mercury is released. If an energy-saving lamp is disposed of with household waste, it is released into the atmosphere in the incinerator. That is why energy-saving lamps are no longer an alternative to incandescent lamps. In addition, the fluorescent lamps have the same unpleasant light waves that they have always had the big office lights.

Although the LED lamps also have "only" an efficiency of about 12%. But they are completely non-toxic and have an extremely long life. Even the light color can be individually adjusted with the latest generation of RGB LED lamps.
The advantage of a ceiling light is: The LED bulbs available today fit easily on old lamps. An accessory such as a transformer, as used for halogen lights, is not necessary with these lamps.

Connect ceiling light

To correctly connect a ceiling light you need:

• A stable house manager (about 40 euros)
• A flat screwdriver (about 12 Euro)
• A pair of needle nose pliers (about 12 Euro)
• if necessary, litzcaps with crimping pliers (about 5 Euro)
• A multimeter (about 20 euros)
• If necessary, luster terminals, if not available. Alternative: WACO terminals

Switch off the power supply

Turn off the power at the fuse box. Simply switching off the light switch is not enough to work safely on a ceiling light. There is a possibility that the switch has been connected incorrectly. In this case, the ground wire is disconnected from the switch, not the live wire. The on / off effect is the same, so this error is not noticed.

Secure the fuse against restart. You can completely remove a fuse. If possible, close the fuse box. But hang at least one warning sign on the box.

Prepare work

Place the ladder under the lamp so that you can reach the screen easily. Turn the bulb out and then dismantle the shield. Everything that makes working on the ladder easier should be used. Removing the cable without the annoying, wide screen is much easier and safer.

Check three times, connect once

Check again at the luster terminal, if really no more current flows. Use only the multimeter or a two-pole continuity tester. A normal current controller screwdriver with glow indicator is no longer allowed today for work on the electrical system! Be as thorough as possible before connecting the lamp.

In this article you will learn everything you need to know about handling a voltage tester: Use Voltage Detectors

Switch the multimeter to the current range of the household current. Hold the contacts to the screws of the luster terminal of the ceiling lamp. No voltage may be displayed now! A high-quality multimeter also has an audible signal for the normal continuity test.

Hang the ceiling lamp

Only when you are absolutely sure that no more current is flowing through the cable, loosen the screwed connections of the luster terminals. Remove the lamp completely from the work area. Long cables are dangerous tripping hazards, especially when standing on a ladder.

Mount new ceiling light

House power lines have rigid cables. Ceiling lights can have flexible cables made of a wire mesh. In this case, you must "tie" the cable ends. These are the Litzenkappen there. Always use a cap that is as thin as possible. The better they fit into the sockets of the luster terminal. If you do not have Litzenkappen, you can tie the cable ends with some solder.

Now connect the new ceiling light. Stay true to color when connecting the cables: black on black, red on red and yellow-white on yellow-white . Instead of red and black, the colors of the new lamp can also be brown and blue. In this case, connect brown with black and blue with red. Brown or black is the "ground color" for the return line. Red or blue are the current-carrying lines. Green-white is the protective contact. If the ceiling light has one (eg with fan connected), use it in any case.

A detailed description of the power cable colors and the functions of the various cables can be found here: power cable colors

Check the lamp

Get off the ladder and turn the fuse back on. If she flies out right away, you've made a mistake. If the fuse remains on, turn on the light switch. If the lamp goes on and off as desired, you can finish the work.

Theses

The lampshade may only be hung up again when the lamp has been hung on the hook provided. But by no means simply the cable knotted on the hook! Only the intended cable hooks are allowed here. If it does not hang yet, it must be set. Attach the new lampshade and screw in the LED bulb.

Digression: put ceiling hook

If you want to connect a brand new lamp, you must first:

• Put ceiling hook. You need it
• Drilling machine with concrete drill (20 Euro daily rent)
• Concrete hook with dowel (about 5 Euro)
• vacuum cleaner
• Line finder (10 Euro daily rent)
• stepladder
• pencil
• helper
• multimeter

Check with the cable finder exactly where the power cable is routed in the ceiling. At a distance of approx. 5 cm from the cable at the exit point, mark a point at which you can place the ceiling hook. Check this point again with the cable finder. Disconnect the fuse from the ceiling light. If necessary, get the electricity from another room using a cable drum. Now drill the hole for the dowel. A helper with a vacuum cleaner can catch the drilling dust. Insert the dowel into the hole and screw in the ceiling hook. Turn the fuse back on. Check if there is a circuit between the hook and the power line with the multimeter or the two-pole continuity tester. Only if no current flow is indicated here, you can safely use the ceiling hook. Now you can connect the ceiling lamp and attach it to the ceiling hook.

Tips for quick readers

• Practice handling multimeter and two-pole continuity tester
• Only connect the ceiling lamp with the fuse switched off
• Only use LED bulbs