Recommendation points
- Chandelier connection principle
- Connecting the chandelier to a one-button switch
- Connecting the chandelier to a two-button switch
You don’t need to call an electrician to do work that you can easily do yourself. In this article we will tell you how to connect a chandelier to a one-key or two-key switch with your own hands..
Chandelier connection principle
When connecting a chandelier to a switch, you need to understand how it works. It’s pretty simple. The light is on when two wires are connected to it, this is the phase wire (designation in the L diagram) and zero (designation in the N diagram). When a light bulb (chandelier) is connected, one of the conductors goes directly from the junction box to the chandelier (lamp), the second is also connected to the chandelier, but through a break (switch).
Important! For safety reasons, the neutral conductor must not be led through the switch. It should go to the light bulb (chandelier) from the junction box without breaking.
Do not rely on the fact that the electricians correctly connected the wiring according to the color of the wires (the neutral working conductor is blue or blue, the zero protective conductor is yellow-green). They could be wrong. It is for this reason that, before starting work, it is necessary to look at where the phase conductor (phase) is and where zero (zero) comes out of the ceiling or junction box. For these purposes, you need a screwdriver with a voltage indicator. When determining the phase and neutral conductor, you need to check the voltage indicator where you are sure that it is. This can be done in a working socket or in a floor panel. After that, we determine and remember which conductors come out of the ceiling. There is nothing complicated here, you need to touch the indicator screwdriver to the wire, and if the indicator light is on, then this is a phase conductor.
Wires may come out of the ceiling in the following order:
- Two wires. This is a phase conductor and a neutral one. This diagram means that it is possible to connect only all lamps together..
- Three wires. Two phase conductors and one neutral. With this scheme, you can distribute the inclusion of lamps in the chandelier.
- Two two-core wires – it is also possible to distribute the switching on of lamps.
- Three wires emerge from the ceiling, but without the possibility of distributing the switching on of the lamps. The third wire has a yellow-green color and is a zero protective conductor (ground).
Consider the main options for connecting a chandelier to switches.
Connecting the chandelier to a one-button switch
If only two wires come out of the ceiling, this means that it is possible to connect only a one-button switch with all the lamps on at the same time and it doesn’t matter how many wires come out of the chandelier, two, three or five.
Wiring diagram for a one-button switch: 1 – one-button switch; 2 – junction box; 3 – chandelier
If three wires come out of the chandelier, then they must be connected together in color, so that in the end there are two bundles of wires. Then we just connect the wires from the chandelier and from the ceiling.
If two wires come out of the chandelier, then all lamps can only be turned on at the same time. If three wires come out of the chandelier, this means: one common conductor for all lamps, which must be connected to the neutral conductor. The second and third wires are intended for the first and second section of lamps in the chandelier, respectively (for example, 1 + 2 lamps for a three-lamp chandelier or 3 + 2 lamps for a five-lamp chandelier, etc.).
Connecting the chandelier to a two-button switch
The conditions for connecting a two-button switch are three wires from the ceiling (zero and two phase wires) and three wires from the chandelier (three- or five-lamp chandelier). In this case, using the voltage indicator, we determine the zero and phase conductors that come out of the ceiling. To determine a common conductor for all lamps, there is nothing easier, it is one, and the other two are of the same color, which means they go to two sections of lamps. This is specifically done by the manufacturer so that even a non-electrician can connect the chandelier. Then we connect the neutral conductor from the ceiling to the common one in the chandelier, and each section of lamps with phase conductors that go through a two-button switch.
Wiring diagram of a chandelier to a two-button switch: 1 – two-button switch; 2 – junction box; 3 – chandelier
Important! When working on connecting the chandelier and installing switches, you must turn off the electricity supply to the corresponding branch.
As a rule, there is a separate branch for the overhead light, which can be turned off with a packet switch without de-energizing the outlet. To illuminate the room during installation, use luminaires that are connected to sockets.
The connection of the electric wires must be carried out using terminal blocks. It is allowed to connect the electrical wiring by twisting with compulsory insulation. Twisting with soldering is considered a reliable connection..
Important! It is impossible to twist copper and aluminum wires. It is fire hazardous! They can only be connected using terminal blocks..
Can someone please guide me through the process of connecting a chandelier to a switch? I’ve recently purchased a beautiful chandelier, but I’m unsure about the specific steps involved in connecting it to a switch. Any advice or instructions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
To connect a chandelier to a switch, you will need to first shut off the power to the area where you will be working using the circuit breaker. Next, remove the existing light fixture and disconnect the wires from the ceiling. Follow the instructions provided with your chandelier to connect the wires from the chandelier to the corresponding wires from the ceiling. Typically, you will match the black wire to black, white to white, and ground to ground. Once all the wires are securely connected, attach the chandelier to the ceiling following the manufacturer’s instructions. Finally, turn the power back on and test the switch to ensure the chandelier turns on and off properly. If you are unsure about any step, it is always best to consult a professional electrician for assistance.