Clusters of pendants add a modern touch to a room.
Cathedral ceilings are often wired for an overhead fixture. Usually, the wiring is run through channels between the ceiling and roof so that the wiring is hidden. Except for very old homes, the wiring ends inside an electrical box. Once you have a single electrical ceiling box, add more light fixtures based around that outlet. Pendant lights hanging in groups are a modern interpretation of a deconstructed chandelier. This style is easy to create using your existing ceiling electrical box. If your ceiling wiring does not end inside an electrical box, contact a licensed electrician to determine if your wiring is safe.
Instructions
1. Turn the electricity off at the house circuit breaker box. Warn people that you are working on the electricity by taping a sign over the box.
2. Unscrew the existing light fixture from the ceiling. A existing ceiling fan or chandelier will have a canopy that covers the electrical box. Remove this canopy by unscrewing the loop-shaped screw in the center of the canopy. There may be additional side screws that you will have to unscrew. Some fixtures allow you to unscrew the covering to access the box.
3. Separate the wires so that you can access the connecting caps. Unscrew the caps and pull the wires apart. You should have an electrical box mounted to a ceiling joist or blocking. Inside the box are two or three wires with the ends of the wires exposed.
4. Lift the track system close to the ceiling. In the center of the track is the location in which the central wire emerges. Strip off three-quarters of an inch of the insulation using wire strippers. Separate each wire. Match the color of your wires with those in the ceiling. Bring two of the same colored wires together and twist the exposed ends around together. Screw on a wire connector and repeat this process for the other wires. Tuck the excess wire into the electrical box.
5. Mount the track to the electrical box. Mount the sides of the track to the ceiling using wall anchors if you cannot screw the track into a ceiling joist.
6. Snap in or attach the pendant connector to the track. Many systems come with their own connectors and pendants. Typically the whole track is wired so you can move the connectors along the track and continue to provide electricity to the pendant. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for attaching your specific connector to the track.
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