Guide to Installing Pendant Lamps

One of the more appealing trends in home lighting is the pendant lamp. In the last few years I have installed a large number of pendant lamps. The most common locations are over kitchen islands or work areas, but they are also making inroads into many bathrooms. The requirements for installing a pendant lamp are fairly simple. You need basic access to the area above and a source of power. If you are swapping it for an existing light, it’s a fairly DIY-friendly project. For new installs you’ll have a few extra steps which may not be so simple.

Layout Comes First

Before you start drilling holes and pulling wire, the first thing you should do is a bit of planning. Unlike the recessed “can” light, pendant lamps are mostly contained “outside” of the box. This is the electrical junction box that is required by code for most installations. The box can be a standard size or a mini or “pancake” box that is often surface mounted. Since pendant lights hang, one trick I use is a plumb bob to simulate the light’s final location. This low-tech tool will simplify the effort of pinpointing the center of the box. A higher-tech version is the plumb bob “laser” which can do the same task with a much cooler $50 to $300 gadget. (If you don’t already own one this is a great project to justify a new tool purchase). 

Box Installation and Wires

Depending on what type of pendant lamp you have, you my need a full-sized junction box. Installing one in an “old work” environment is easy – use a box that clips into the existing drywall or paneling. “New work” boxes, by comparison, are boxes that are attached to ceiling joists or other framing members. If your lights are being installed as part of a bigger remodel where the drywall has been removed this is the preferred route. With the box locations identified, the next step is to supply them with power. This is where your planning will pay off. Most overhead spaces have wires somewhere up there. The simplest method is to tap into an existing lighting circuit that is already switched. Anything beyond this can get more complex and may require the services of a professional. Running new wires up and down a wall and across a room is a job that usually requires an expert.

Hang The Light

If your pendant lamp is a simple replacement for an existing light, the hard part is already out of the way since you have a box and wires in place. Consulting with the instruction sheet or installation diagrams will enable you to attach the needed parts in the correct sequence. Light types can vary widely so you don’t want to do guesswork.  As is highly recommended with any electrical project, the power supply should be turned off at the breaker before starting any work. Additionally if you are not comfortable with your skills and experience in performing electrical work, you should contact a trained and qualified electrician.

Kevin Stevens is a Networx - http://www.networx.com/article/guide-to-installing-pendant-lights - writer. Read more articles like this one - http://www.networx.com/article/guide-to-installing-pendant-lights - on Networx.com.