How To Wire Switches for a Chandelier Light Fixture
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Wiring Connections When Hanging a Chandelier Light Fixture: With most home lighting fixtures the wiring colors are black, white and a bare or green ground wire for the light fixture and the wiring from the electrical junction box, however there may be a few wire color combinations to be aware of. © By: Dave Rongey |
Wiring Configurations When Hanging a Chandelier Light Fixture
[ad#block]Electrical Question: I am taking down a ceiling fan which is a fan and light combo, and I’m putting up a chandelier.
- The fan is currently hooked up to a switch box which contains two switches.
- One for the fan and one for the light.
- My question is whats the best way to hook up the chandelier to one of the switches to control the light and cut out the fan switch.
Thank you
Background: Scott, a Student from Medford, New York.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Scott.
Wiring Connections for a Chandelier Light Fixture
With most home lighting fixtures the wiring colors are black, white and a bare or green ground wire for the light fixture and the wiring from the electrical junction box, however there may be a few wire color combinations to be aware of.
Application: Ceiling Mounted or Wall Mounted Light Fixture.
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, a non-aluminum ladder and Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools and access to the light fixture.
Precaution: Identify the light circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.
Notice: Installing additional fixture wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.
- Scott, the best thing to do is choose any of the two wires that you wish to use.
- It doesn’t matter which one, just cap off the one that will become a spare and keep it available for any changes later on.
- If you want you can connect the chandelier to both the black and red wires.
- This way either switch will turn on the light.
- If you choose just one wire just do not make the mistake of cutting off the wire just because your not gong to use it.
- Just insulate it and make it safe.
- The extra switch can be left alone or removed and replaced with a blank or filler piece which will fill the space where the old switch was located.
More about Home Electrical Wiring
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Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.
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Hi Maria,
Here are a few ideas:
Depending on the light fixture, a light fixture shop may be able to install a pull chain switch at the base of the fixture, or if the top canopy that is mounted against the ceiling is large enough then there may be room to install a remote control module, the same which are used for ceiling fans.
I hope this helps you,
Dave
Hello!
I just got a chandelier but I didn’t check if it came with a switch, but it didn’t.
My home is an old Japanese house and you turn the lights on directly from the lamps and not from the walls, so I’m afraid I need to put a switch on it, like my other lamps. Is it possible?
What should I do?