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How to Install Large Wrought Iron Chandelier Light Fixtures

By Julia Ritzenthaler

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 11Oct2009 Word count: 656 Viewed: 653 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

Once you purchase your new wrought iron chandelier, you need to decide who will install it. Consider your skills and determine if you are going to take on the installation yourself or if you would feel better having a professional do it. For information on how to install a large wrought iron chandelier, read on below.

You will need several parts and tools to install a chandelier. Of course you need the chandelier itself and all of the parts that come with it. You will also need a step ladder, a metal outlet box, wire nuts, a small wood strip, an expandable bracket (typically used for ceiling fans), a circuit tester, and a small bracket that has bolts attached. The tools needed are pliers, an adjustable wrench, wire cutters, wire strippers, a putty knife, a drywall saw, a carpenter's pencil, a power drill, drill bits, a flat-head screwdriver, and a Phillips screwdriver.

For the metal outlet box, select a box used for ceiling fans, a standard ceiling outlet box will support a fixture weighing less than 30 pounds. A metal box for ceiling fans will support a fixture up to 60 pounds.

Step 1: Turn Off the Power

Any time you work on a do-it-yourself electrical project, be sure to turn off the circuit breaker before beginning. After you've turned off the circuit breaker and the light switch, use your circuit tester to verify that no power is being channeled to the circuits.

Step 2: Remove Existing Lighting Fixtures

Before you can install your new wrought iron chandelier, you'll need to remove any lighting fixtures that already exist in the desired location. This involves exposing the electric box by removing the canopy and then disconnecting any wires. Remember, if your new chandelier is more than 30 pounds, be sure to change the box out for a 60 pound box.

Step 3: New Electrical Box Installation

For this, the first thing you need to do is use your carpenter's pencil to draw a circle in the exact location where you plan to install the wrought iron chandelier. Use the drywall saw and cut out the circle. Next you'll need to install the electrical box using the expandable bracket and small bracket.

Step 4: Wiring

This step involves connecting the wires. You'll need to thread them through the electrical box. Then separate the wires and remove about a half inch of the insulation with the wire strippers. After this is done, the wires can be connected.

Step 5: Hole Patching

Now you need to patch the hole where your old fixture was. Take a wood strip that iss wider than the hole, put it up inside the ceiling or wall to cover the hole and glue it down and then cover with a sheet rock patch.

Additional Tips:

Make sure that your new chandelier fits the scale of the room nicely. You can adjust the level at which the chandelier hangs to help it fit the room better.

Don't forget that, after installation, a chandelier requires regular maintenance. You will need chandelier cleaner to properly care for your light fixture. Before cleaning your wrought iron chandelier, turn the power off, using the wall switch. Cover the bulbs with baggies secured with rubber bands, this protects the fixture from cleaning solution running down into the electric parts of your chandelier.

Spray down the entire chandelier with the cleaner and either let it drip dry if it's not too dirty, or wipe the entire thing down with a clean cloth. Micro fiber towels work very well for this. Once the light fixture is dry, remove the baggies, spray some cleaner on a clean cloth, and wipe down each bulb. Be certain that the entire wrought iron chandelier is completely dry before turning it back on.

Safety is always the most important part of any project, especially when electricity is involved. If you are not comfortable with any portion of this project, be sure to look into a professional electrician.

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