Electrical ceiling mounting boxes and accessories.
Putting up ceiling lighting is not hard when you have the
right accessories. If there is an electrical box already there it may only
require attaching the electrical wires.
Most of the time there is already an electrical ceiling box
where you want to put a replacement lighting fixture. If there is one, you need
to check the box to see how and to what it is mounted two in the ceiling to
make sure it can hold the weight of the new fixture. If the replacement fixture
is the same weight of lighter than the one you are replacing there should be no
problem that it will hold the new fixture. If the new fixture is much heavier
you have to check.
Ceiling boxes are metal boxes that are made square, round,
or octagon. Some boxes have a mounting flange that permits it to be nailed or
screwed to the joist in the ceiling. Flanged boxes mounted to a joist will hold
a lot of weight. If the box location is between joists it is usually mounted to
an adjustable hanger. The hanger mounts to the joist and the box is then
mounted to the hanger. This setup also will hold much weight. There are heavy duty
hangers that are made to mount ceiling fans and heavy fixtures. An adjustable hanger
lets you position the light on the ceiling where you want it even if it is
between ceiling joists. In old lath type ceilings, shallow box hangers that
rest right on the laths can be used.
If the box is just mounted in a hole in the ceiling and not really
mounted to anything but the drywall of the ceiling, you should and need to get
a mounting bracket installed.
Chandeliers and lighting fixtures come with a good set of
how to instructions and the required mounting hardware. The hardware is standardized
and will mate with the metal ceiling box holes. The wiring directions are very
straight forward. Most are just 3 wire hookups. A green or bare wire ground, a
black and a white. These are attached to the same color wire in the box with
wire nuts.
You need to read all the instructions that come with the
fixture before you try and start to install the fixture. That way you have all
the tools and hardware you need before you start. At this point you may want to
have a licensed electrician do it if it is not a simple install. If you do
install it yourself, turn off the main power source to the circuit controlling the
light before you begin. Follow the install directions. If the install needs to
be approved by a licensed electrician have him check your work. When in doubt,
have it checked out.
A new install may best be done by your electrician. Running
new wiring and putting in a new box is not all that difficult, but it can be
very dirty and often is not straight forward. It is often money and time well
spent if they do it.
Ceiling fan/light units are heavy to install. It may take
two people to put it in. Again, these are not difficult to install but they are
very heavy. I have the big ones done for me. If they drop and break it, they
get to replace it.
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