Fitting lamps made easy

You’ve moved into your new home, all the furniture is in the right place and most of the boxes have already been unpacked. But something important is missing: the lighting. It’s not always easy to connect and hang lamps correctly. To stop this being a problem in future, we’ve summarised the most important things for you in four points.

1. The right tools

In order to fit your lamps safely and efficiently, you need the right tools. These include:

• A sturdy ladder
• A phase (or voltage) tester to ensure that the circuit you are working on is turned off.
• A terminal block that connects the wires.
• A drill (if the lamp is to be fitted on the ceiling)
• A vacuum cleaner
• A hammer
• A pair of pliers

If the lamp is new, fitting instructions should be included. Read these carefully before you start. If it is an old lamp and there are no instructions, you can try googling the model. You may find the right fitting instructions for your model. Otherwise, this guide will definitely help.

It is also important to allow enough time to fit your lamp.

2. Disconnect the power supply

Before you begin the actual process, the most important safety step is to ensure that the power supply to the light switch you want to work on is disconnected. This will prevent you from getting an electric shock.  To do this, you need to turn off the corresponding switch in the fuse box. After you have done this, you can use the phase tester to check that there really is no power. If the lamp has its own switch, turn this off too.

3. Connect the wires

Now it gets serious: you need to connect the wires correctly. Your lamp will usually have the following three wires:

• Neutral (usually blue or yellow)
• Phase (often brown or black)
• Earth (green and yellow)

First of all, untangle the wires and strip the ends using pliers. Then connect the wires in your lamp to the corresponding wires on the ceiling or wall, by inserting and firmly screwing them into the terminal block. Make sure that you connect the same colours: blue with blue, brown with brown, and yellow and green with yellow and green.

4. Attach the lamp

Once the electrical connection has been established, you can fit the lamp. If you want to attach the lamp to the ceiling, you first need to drill some holes using a drill. To avoid dust and dirt, you can place a vacuum cleaner directly under the holes. Once you have drilled some holes, insert the wall plugs into them and then attach the lamp using screws.

The same applies if you want to attach your lamp to the wall. Once the lamp is securely attached, turn the power back on. You can now use the light switch. If the lamp works, you have connected everything correctly. If it doesn’t work, there could be a broken cable or the light switch may be faulty. In this case, seek expert help.

Additional points

Choice of lamp:

Before you start the actual installation, you need to consider the type of lamp you want to install. This will not only affect the aesthetics of your room, but also its ambience and your energy consumption.

• Warm white LEDs or traditional light bulbs: these lamps emit a warm, cosy light. They are ideal for living rooms, bedrooms and dining areas. This lighting creates a relaxed atmosphere.
• Cool white LEDs or halogen lamps: if you want clear, bright lighting, these are the lamps for you. They are ideal for your office or kitchen.

Position and room layout:

The position of your lamps can significantly affect the character of a room.

• Dining area: a suspended lamp hanging at an optimal height above the table not only provides sufficient light for meals, but also gives the room a stylish focal point. It should be positioned so as to avoid glare, while adequately illuminating the table.
• Lounge: think about which areas may be in shadow and how best to illuminate areas such as reading corners. Floor lamps or adjustable wall lights are often a good choice here.
• Bedroom: soft lighting is important here. Bedside lamps with dimmer switches or warm light lamps help create a calming atmosphere.

Energy efficiency:

In addition to style and position, it is also important to consider energy efficiency. Modern LED lights use much less energy than traditional bulbs, allowing you to save money in the long term.

Summary

Regardless of whether you are fitting a simple ceiling lamp or installing a complex lighting system, the right preparation and the necessary knowledge will make your lamp installation a success. Are you still unsure or do you have special requirements? Then it’s best to contact a professional. That way, you’ll always be on the safe side.