Last updated on November 20th, 2022
Not sure how to install a chandelier? It’s actually not that hard. With the right tools and steps, you can easily switch out your old light for a new chandelier on your own.
Here are 7 steps that will help you hang and install your chandelier:
Step 1: Turn Off the Electricity
Before you start working, you should always turn off the electricity to the circuit you’ll be working on.
Just find the circuit breaker that controls the room you’ll be working in on the electrical panel and flip it off. Test the light switches in the room once or twice to make sure the power isn’t flowing.
Installing a chandelier without turning off the electricity can be dangerous, so never skip this step.
Step 2: Take the Old Light Down
Remove the old light canopy (the part that sits against the ceiling) so you can get into the electrical box. Then untwist any connectors from the wiring.
Again, use an electrical tester to make sure the wires aren’t live. If there isn’t an electrical current, you can detach the rest of the wiring.
Find someone to help you with this next part.
As you’ll be balanced on the top of a ladder, you shouldn’t try to climb down the ladder while carrying the old light fixture. This could cause you to fall and wind up with some serious injuries.
Step 3: Take the Electrical Box Down
The electrical box is either screwed to a metal hanger or nailed to a joist. If it’s screwed to a hanger, simply unscrew it. If it’s nailed to a joist, use a pry bar to detach it.
You’ll then have to get the cable out of the box. In most cases, this will be an easy job that just involves unscrewing the box so it loosens. You may be able to pull the cable free without much effort.
Note: If your box was attached to a hanger bar, cut it in half with a hacksaw and remove it.
Step 4: Hang the New Fan Brace
Adjust the brace to its shortest length and slide it through the hole in your ceiling. The brace’s feet should be sitting flat on top of drywall or plaster.
Adjust the brace again so its prongs are secured in joists. But don’t over-tighten the brace. This can damage your drywall.
Step 5: Install the New Electrical Box
Holding the box to the ceiling, pull about 6 inches of cable through the box. Tighten the connector screws so the cable stays in place.
When you find the U-bolt, put it over the brace and push the support flange into the ends of the bolt. Put a nut around each side of the U-bolt and tighten them into place.
Find the holes in the top of the electrical box and line them up with the ends of the threaded ends bolt. Use two hex nuts to secure it in place.
Step 6: Connect the Wires
First, wrap the copper wire around the grounding screw then connect it to the grounding wire.
Strip at least 1/2 of an inch of insulation from the chandelier’s wiring and connect them with a twist-on connector.
The two white wires should go together, and the two black wires should go together.
When the wires are set up, hide them inside the electrical box and press the chandelier’s canopy against the ceiling. Tighten the collar so the canopy stays in place.
Step 7: Turn the Power Back On
Screw in the light bulbs and flip the circuit breaker back on and test out your new chandelier.
How to Install a Chandelier
Installing a new chandelier is definitely not as hard as it sounds. If you follow these steps, your chandelier should both look and work great. Now you can stop asking people how to install a chandelier since you can do it yourself!
Check out our chandelier lighting blog for more tips and information on all things chandeliers and lighting.
