Putting a chandlier up

Avo Mk8 · May 4, 2023

There are wood laths all across the ceiling. The trick is to screw through the white plaster hopefully into a wood lath behind. If the screw doesn't get a fixing, you move the metal strip and try again! By changing the angle of the bracket compared to where I've drawn it, you should be able to screw into the wood you see.
If the light is heavy, you need to find a joist to screw into.

[ElectriciansForums.net] Putting a chandlier up

Dave OCD · May 4, 2023

Avo Mk8 said:
There are wood laths all across the ceiling. The trick is to screw through the white plaster hopefully into a wood lath behind. If the screw doesn't get a fixing, you move the metal strip and try again!
If the light is heavy, you need to find a joist to screw into.
View attachment 107913

I'd turn the bracket 90 degrees to be parallel with the centre of the lath that's visible - although it could be better to spread the weight across two. I hope the OP gets it after all this , thank god there aren't 3 or 4 cables present.

shocksl · May 5, 2023

Dave OCD said:
I'd turn the bracket 90 degrees to be parallel with the centre of the lath that's visible - although it could be better to spread the weight across two. I hope the OP gets it after all this , thank god there aren't 3 or 4 cables present.

Avo Mk8 said:
There are wood laths all across the ceiling. The trick is to screw through the white plaster hopefully into a wood lath behind. If the screw doesn't get a fixing, you move the metal strip and try again! By changing the angle of the bracket compared to where I've drawn it, you should be able to screw into the wood you see.
If the light is heavy, you need to find a joist to screw into.
View attachment 107913

Oh thanks guys this is brilliant.

I really do appreciate this.

I hope the wood laths will support my chandelier hopefully. It's probably like 7kg weight.

littlespark · May 5, 2023

Best to use two lathes.

Putting two screws into the same one can cause it to split.

Ideally, get longer screws and go right up through into the joist. Through plaster, through lathe and a good inch or more into thick wood.

Poke a screwdriver up in the hole at an angle and turn it to find the joist… I’d be surprised if there’s not one there. Old houses always had lights next to joists…

7kg is quite a substantial weight. You might need a helper to hold it up while you make the connections.

shocksl · May 5, 2023

littlespark said:
Best to use two lathes.

Putting two screws into the same one can cause it to split.

Ideally, get longer screws and go right up through into the joist. Through plaster, through lathe and a good inch or more into thick wood.

Poke a screwdriver up in the hole at an angle and turn it to find the joist… I’d be surprised if there’s not one there. Old houses always had lights next to joists…

7kg is quite a substantial weight. You might need a helper to hold it up while you make the connections.

Oh brilliant mate thanks for that. Justin time before I was going to put the bracket up. The poking technique was really helpful. Now I've drilled in the joist !!!

Just realised the cables are in different colour in there. Twin n earth

I'm assuming the black is neutral , red is live and the earth is its standard colour.

littlespark · May 5, 2023

shocksl said:
I'm assuming the black is neutral , red is live and the earth is its standard colour.

Spot on.

But youll possibly find the light fitting has brown and blue.... or all white... which means it doesnt matter between L and N

As long as the earth is green and yellow

shocksl · May 5, 2023

littlespark said:
Spot on.

But youll possibly find the light fitting has brown and blue.... or all white... which means it doesnt matter between L and N

As long as the earth is green and yellow

Your the man.

Thanks mate appreciate that!