The organization of the right lighting system involves several stages. These include the calculation of the required number of bulbs, the choice of lighting devices, as well as their installation. Different types of fixtures are attached to the surface in their own way, and this must be taken into account when buying and installing. Creating a lighting installation scheme is carried out before the start of the overhaul, so it is important to think through all the nuances of the placement in advance.
What determines the choice of installation method of fixtures
Installation of lighting devices is a simple process. Even a person who has never worked with an electrician can figure out the basics and do the job. The main thing is to carefully and accurately carry out all the steps and observe safety precautions.
Lighting devices vary in different ways. They can be mounted on different surfaces (walls, ceilings, placed on a table or on the floor), be built-in and external. The complexity of the process depends on all these points.
The simplest products to install are wall-mounted overhead lights. They are securely attached to the walls using fasteners (usually dowels). When installing, it is important to consider the size of the wire. Its length should be such that the lighting device can be powered from the nearest outlet.
Ceiling products are somewhat more difficult to mount. Before installing the ceiling lamp on the ceiling, you need to hang a special fastener. For suspended models, this is a hook that fits into the mounting box. Metal platforms on which the chandelier is mounted are also actively used.
If built-in lamps are used, a hole in the canvas must be made in advance to fix them.
Preparatory work
Most of the electrical work is carried out before the start of wallpapering and laying decorative plaster. The master should do the following manipulations:
- Pick up a lighting device in advance. It is important to consider the microclimate of the room and its purpose. You should buy moisture-proof appliances in the bathroom, and ordinary lamps and chandeliers are suitable in the living room and bedroom. At the same stage, types of lighting devices are selected. It can be incandescent, halogen, LED or fluorescent devices.
- Select the installation location of the lighting device. It depends on the purpose of the lamp, its size, type of room, the ability to connect to a power point and other indicators.
- Cut through the channels for laying cables to the installation site.
You should also make a calculation in advance of the number of fixtures for the room. It depends on the area of the room, its purpose and other parameters.
Installation of various types of mounts
Since the ceiling mounts are the most difficult, they need to be dealt with more carefully.
There are situations when the installation box for wall lights in the room is missing. You can fix a metal plate on the surface in the following ways:
- Screw the plate to the ceiling using screws on a wooden block. The beam must be put in the hole in the ceiling.
- Make several holes on the ceiling surface. They must be positioned so that they coincide with the holes on the mounting plate.When the holes are made, you need to attach a plate to the ceiling and fix it with dowels.
Similarly, a hook can be attached to which a chandelier is suspended.
Wall lights
Devices on the wall are connected depending on the scheme used. They can be divided into two groups - with a toggle switch mounted in the housing and with an external switch. Decorative structures in the form of wall sconces and ceiling lamps installed in furniture fall under the first category. The second type includes products for lighting auxiliary premises (pantry, corridor, hallway, kitchen). The main advantage of such devices is the ease of installation and dismantling.
Algorithm for installing wall lighting:
- Marking on the wall of mounting points. To do this, attach the case to the wall and make marks where there will be fasteners.
- Fixing the lamp. It is done with dowels or on a bracket, another supporting structure. The second method is suitable for massive structures.
- Installing a light bulb in a cartridge.
- Health Check.
The correct positioning of the lamp depends on the accuracy of the marking of the back. Usually there is a small gap on the mounts, due to which the position can be adjusted if the place is selected with a slight discrepancy.
Next, the wires are connected. Zero always goes directly, and the phase goes through the switch if a model with a switch is selected. Before connecting the wires, check what the specific core is responsible for. This can be done using an indicator screwdriver or a multimeter.
Connection of recessed luminaires
The installation technology of built-in lamps differs from classic wall and ceiling lamps by the presence of an additional power supply. It also plays a protective role.
Installation of recessed fixtures is as follows:
- Determining the installation location. Creating a wiring diagram and power supply.
- Cable management
- Cutting holes in the canvas of a suspended or suspended ceiling of a certain diameter under the lamp.
- Pulling wires through the hole.
- Connecting wires and installing fixtures in the mounting hole.
- Health Check.
Massive structures are mounted on a steel rack frame even before the assembly of ceiling plates. Then the lamp is dismantled, in its place there is a transitional mount. When drywall or MDF boards are laid, mark the position of the body on the canvas, make the corresponding hole and perform further connection.
Preparing the lighting fixture for installation
Before installing the lamp, you need to carefully check it for the level of build quality. If the bolted connections are weak, they must be tightened. Cartridges, contacts and conductors must also be inspected and repaired as necessary. In case of detection of chips, charred parts, debris, it is necessary to disassemble and replace the part with a new and workable one. Using a product with defects is dangerous.
It is recommended to purchase wall lighting and their components only in professional stores. Otherwise, there is a risk of buying fake products that will not meet the declared characteristics. To save energy, it is better to buy and install energy-saving lamps. These include fluorescent and LED devices.
Safety precautions
Accuracy during the work with electric networks is the basis of safety measures. To maintain health and life, the following rules must be observed:
- All work is carried out only when the power is off. It can be turned off in the switchboard at the inlet.
- You need to make sure that there is no current on the wires. This can be done using the indicator.If residual voltage is detected, you must wait until the residual current passes. If voltage is fixed during repeated checks, contact an electrician.
- To work, the master will need individual protective equipment - dielectric gloves and glasses.
- When installing the lamp on the ceiling, a stable staircase or stepladder is required.
- You need to prepare an autonomous light source in advance. It can be a flashlight on the forehead with batteries or an external light source.
- All tools must be serviceable and have insulated handles.
Compliance with these simple rules will help the master to protect himself and not get damaged by electric shock.
