Connecting a lamp: which wire goes where?
Connecting a lamp takes ten minutes once you know which wire goes where. Below are the colours, the order of work, what to do with two or three wires, and the moment you are better off calling an electrician.
First switch off the power
Switch off the circuit in the fuse box, not just the light switch. A switch often interrupts only one wire, so there can still be voltage on the others. Then check with a voltage tester that there really is nothing on the wires. More on preparation in hanging a lamp yourself: what to look out for.
The colours: what does each wire mean?
| Colour | Name | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Brown | Live | Supplies the current |
| Black | Switched live | The live that runs through the switch, often found at the ceiling point |
| Blue | Neutral | Carries the current back |
| Green-yellow | Earth | Protection if the lamp develops a fault |
In the ceiling you usually find three wires: a brown or black one, a blue one and a green-yellow one. The brown or black wire comes from the switch. In older homes you may also find red or grey. If you are not sure which is which, have it checked first.
How to connect the lamp
- Hang the lamp temporarily on the hook or have someone hold the fitting, so it does not hang from the wires.
- Connect the brown wire of the lamp to the brown or black wire from the ceiling.
- Connect blue to blue.
- Connect green-yellow to green-yellow, if the lamp has an earth wire.
- Use a terminal block or lever connectors and check each wire is secure by pulling on it gently.
- Tuck the wires neatly behind the ceiling cover and only then switch the circuit back on.
Lamp with two wires
Many metal lamps have three wires, but lamps of glass, linen or plastic sometimes have two: brown and blue. These are double insulated and need no earth. Connect brown and blue as above, and insulate the green-yellow wire from the ceiling separately in its own connector. Do not cut it off, so a lamp with earth can simply be connected later.
Lamp with three wires, ceiling with two
If your lamp has an earth wire and your ceiling does not, do not connect the lamp. A metal lamp without earth can become live if it develops a fault. Have an electrician run an earth wire or choose a double-insulated fitting.
Connecting a lamp to a switch
At an existing ceiling point the switch is already connected: the switched wire runs from the switch to the ceiling. So you do not need to do anything at the switch itself. If you want a new switch, a two-way circuit or a dimmer, that is work for an electrician. With a dimmer, check whether the lamp is dimmable and which dimmer suits it; see which dimmer works with LED lighting.
Two lamps on one ceiling point
That is possible, as long as you connect both lamps to the same three wires and the connector is suitable for the number of wires. They will always switch on and off together. If you want to operate the lamps separately, an extra switched wire is needed.
When to stop
With unfamiliar colours, more wires than expected, a lamp heavier than ten kilos, or no earth when the lamp needs one. Then a qualified electrician is the safe choice.
Frequently asked questions
Can I connect a lamp myself?
Yes, replacing a lamp on an existing ceiling point is something you can do yourself. Have a new ceiling point, a new switch or an extra circuit installed by an electrician.
What is the difference between brown and black?
Both are live. Brown is the live coming straight from the fuse box, black is the live after it has passed through the switch.
How high should I hang the lamp?
Above the dining table, 75 to 85 centimetres above the top. See how high a pendant lamp hangs above the dining table.
Do you live within 50 kilometres of Arnhem and order for 500 euros or more? Then we deliver and hang the lamp ourselves. View the collection.
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