Thanks to the wide variety of lighting devices, everyone can provide not only good visibility within the room, but also effectively separate lighting devices according to their purpose, and create a variety of lighting effects by zone.
One common way to create diffused soft light is to install wall lights near an armchair, bed or near the hallway. However, connecting sconces to an external electrical network has a number of features that must be taken into account during installation.
Preparatory stage
When thinking about how to connect a wall lamp, the user does not always remember the preparatory stage. You will need a number of consumables, as well as a basic set of tools. First of all, this:
- drill and drill bits (taking into account the wall material);
- dowels and screws;
- screwdrivers of different sizes;
- indicator screwdriver (phase indicator);
- pliers and knife (for stripping wires);
- level;
- pencil;
- stepladder (not always needed).
A wall lamp is usually attached to the wall using a special fixing plate or a series of holes located directly in the housing
It is important to mark the holes as accurately as possible by aligning the lighting device in accordance with the level readings or using a laser level. The second option allows you to significantly simplify the process by quickly leveling both the sconce itself and maintaining the placement points of electrical fittings around the perimeter of the entire room at the same height
Drilling holes
Since building materials have different strength characteristics, it is necessary to choose the right type of drill and tool. For example, a hammer drill is good for concrete, and an impact drill is good for a brick wall. If the wall is made of plasterboard, plastic or wood, then the optimal solution would be a conventional low-power drill. To reduce the amount of dust in the room, when drilling holes, you can attach the hose of a functioning vacuum cleaner to the area being treated. Then all small particles formed during the operation of the power tool will be absorbed by it and will not clog the surrounding space.
Fixing the fastener
The mass of a relatively small wall sconce is usually small. Therefore, it can be attached by using standard metal screws and plastic dowels, the dimensions of which must match each other. The diameter of the drill is selected taking into account the diameter of the dowel. When a self-tapping screw enters a dowel hammered into the wall, the latter expands, forming a reliable connection with the wall from the inside.
Often sconces are mounted in a plasterboard wall with an air cavity inside. In this case, a dowel of a special design – “butterfly” – is suitable. Outwardly, it is not much different from the usual dowel, but after the self-tapping screw is inserted into it, one end of the fastener is brought closer to the other. As a result, this fastening tandem is transformed into a super-reliable structure that ensures long-lasting fixation of the sconce in the wall.
As soon as the dowels are inserted into the wall through pre-drilled holes, a lamp (or its mounting part) is applied to it, through which the self-tapping screws are screwed. For this purpose, you can use a screwdriver, a battery-powered screwdriver, or even an electric drill. After the mounting part of the sconce is fixed, the remaining elements are attached to it. In fact, the wall lamp itself is nothing more than the original mounting hardware into which the lamp is subsequently screwed.
What should the consumer focus on?
Along with how to connect a wall lamp, users are often concerned about the problem of choosing a sconce among the many modifications and designs offered by manufacturers. For example, the types of light bulbs used in an electrical appliance vary greatly. In particular, these can be standard incandescent lamps, gas-filled halogen lamps of various designs, energy-saving fluorescent and LED lamps.
Some sconces may be significantly limited in terms of heating, since they are made from materials that are fusible or break down when exposed to high temperatures. If you incorrectly select the power of the light bulb, then individual decorative elements of the lamp will become deformed or melt, thereby ruining its appearance. Thus, you should not neglect the recommended rating and screw a light bulb of higher power into the socket than required by the manufacturer.
It is important to consider when choosing a sconce:
- the magnitude of the supply voltage;
- luminous flux power;
- method of controlling the lamp;
- types and power of lamps that are permissible for use.
If you intend to install a wall lamp in a bathroom or room with a swimming pool (i.e. where there is always high humidity), then preference should be given to sealed models with appropriate switches and special protection.
Selecting a location
When sconces are used to illuminate corridors, they must be installed at a distance of approximately 2 m from the floor
For comfortable use of the lamp, you should choose the best installation location. The lamp must be accessible and at such a height that all family members can turn it on. This task is especially relevant when installing paired sconces, which should be located on the same line.
The sconce can be the main source of light in the corridor. In long hallways, several lamps are hung symmetrically on each wall.
The sconce can also be hung in the bathroom. Since this room has a special difficult microclimate, you should buy waterproof models.
To choose the right location, you need to make calculations in advance. The optimal installation height is 1.5 meters. For models with a plug, there must be a socket nearby so that the lamp can be connected to the mains.
Recommended parameters for placing sconces in individual zones
The choice of sconces for placement in a particular zone is made in accordance with the wishes of the user, and during installation it is important to follow certain rules, the main of which is the optimal height of the equipment. At what height should I hang sconces indoors? The recommended parameter depends on the installation location of the lighting fixture:
At what height should I hang sconces indoors? The recommended parameter depends on the installation location of the lighting fixture:
- The standard height of the sconce above the bed is 130 cm - 160 cm from the floor level. More precisely, the parameter is determined independently depending on the following aspects:
the equipment is placed 20 cm - 30 cm above the headboard;
If the headboard of the bed is higher than 160 cm from the floor level, then the lamp can be mounted not on the wall, but on the headboard.
the height of the location also depends on the height of the user
It is important that the device is comfortable to use even in a lying position; if the light from the sconce is directed upwards, then it is recommended to install the lighting device slightly lower than the recommended parameters. If the light is directed downwards, the lamp can be installed a little higher;
Recommended placement height around the bed
if a wall lamp is installed above a child’s bed, then the height of its placement should be more than 15 cm - 20 cm of the child’s height with an outstretched arm. This will increase the level of safety when using the equipment;
- if the lamp is intended to illuminate a dressing table, then the optimal location of the equipment is considered to be in the upper third of the mirror;
- if the wall sconce is installed in the area where the sofa or armchairs are located in the living room, then the best distance is considered to be 150 cm - 160 cm from the floor.
The most optimal location for equipment can be determined as follows:
- sit on a sofa/chair;
- extend your hand up;
- determine the height of the palm. It is at this level that the lighting equipment is located;
Height of the lamp above the sofa
If there are several sconces in the living room above the sofa and armchairs, then they should all be the same and installed at the same height. This will create a holistic picture of the interior.
- installation of lamps in the corridor to obtain the main or additional source of lighting is carried out at a height of 180 cm - 190 cm from the floor;
- if you need to additionally illuminate the staircase, the installation height of the lighting equipment varies depending on the height of the users. The optimal location of the lamps is slightly above the head. If the ceilings are low and this method of placement is not possible, then they are installed at shoulder level;
- if the sconce is intended to illuminate photographs or paintings, then the placement height is 10 cm - 15 cm above the top edge of the frame;
- for ease of use of the dining or working area in the kitchen, wall sconces are located 70 cm - 80 cm above the table level;
Rules for lighting the dining area in the kitchen
- The mirror located in the bathroom is illuminated by lamps located at eye level. To eliminate the glare effect, matte equipment is installed.
Bathroom mirror lighting
Step by step instructions
All modern lamps have three wires - phase, neutral and ground. If the apartment has appropriate wiring, there will be no connection difficulties. If there is only a working phase and zero, when it is not possible to change the wiring, you will have to act differently. You can install the lamp by connecting a phase and a zero through one phase interrupted by a switch, while observing the markings.
Choosing a location for connecting a wall lamp
Usually sconces are placed in the bedroom at the head of the bed. For a small one, one electrical appliance is enough. If the bed is of an impressive size, it is optimal to mount one lamp on each side. In the nursery, sconces are usually placed so that the bright light does not disturb the baby. A good solution is to hang a lamp above the chair so that you can read a book to your child before bed. For older children, place a lamp above the bed.
Sconces can serve as the main light source in a bathroom or hallway. In such rooms they are mounted symmetrically on both walls or the area around the mirror is illuminated. For the bathroom you will need a waterproof lamp.
Preparation for installation work
Before carrying out the work yourself, immediately prepare the necessary tools and devices. You will definitely need an electric drill with a drill, which is selected depending on the material of the walls. For concrete ones, do not use wood drills and vice versa.
Also needed for work:
- screwdriver;
- indicator screwdriver;
- pliers;
- pencil;
- sharp knife.
Installation
To connect the sconce, you need to follow the following step-by-step instructions:
- Turn off the required circuit breaker to de-energize the room or the entire apartment, depending on the type of electrical wiring installation.
- Using an indicator screwdriver, make sure that there is no voltage on the contacts.
- Attach the sconce cover to the future installation location, which is already marked on the wall. Make marks with a pencil in the area of the holes into which the fasteners will then be installed.
- Use a drill to drill holes according to the marks. You can carefully cut through the wallpaper first so as not to tear it with a drill.
- Secure the sconce cover with dowels to the wall.
- Remove 0.5 cm of insulation from each core with a sharp knife.
- Connect the wires to each other according to the selected connection diagram, usually standard.
- Secure the sconce body with special bolts that come with the lamp. Attach a lampshade, if available.
Next, a light bulb is screwed into the device and the machines are turned on. As you can see, you can install sconces with your own hands; it is not necessary to invite an electrician to do this.
When installing standard electrical installation products, situations often arise when, for the convenience of further use, it is necessary to solve a technical problem, such as how to connect a switch from an outlet. This operation is not at all difficult; it is enough to follow certain installation and electrical safety rules.
An important feature is the ability to connect switches with one or two keys from a socket. If necessary, several such units can be connected at once
It should be remembered that the reverse actions cannot be performed, that is, the socket cannot be connected from the switch for technical reasons. This is due to the fact that the socket is more reminiscent of a distribution box, through which the phase and neutral power wires also pass. The switch does not have such qualities and when turned off it will simply stop supplying power to the outlet.
Comments:
Vector
The article is good, but one detail is missing. The wall lamp must be mounted at a minimum height convenient for its use. If it is installed near a chair and is intended for ease of reading on it, then it should be installed 5-10 cm above the level of the seated person’s head. If above the bed, then 50-70 cm above your head
Semen
The lamp near the chair works well in combination with a motion sensor. My dad likes to sleep in a chair, and when he falls asleep, the light turns off.
Zakhar
A wall lamp near the chair is an inconvenient and unjustified solution, in my opinion. What if you decide to move the chair to a different location? Isn't it better to use a floor lamp in this case?
Kilowatt
Zakhar, then you shouldn’t use a stationary lamp above the bed either. What if you decide to rearrange the bed? Kitchen? Move the bath to another room? Not all people move furniture, some leave it in its place
