Are you working on a renovation or extension and want to connect lighting? Installing good lighting often seems simple: place a few lamps, dimmers, or outlets and you're done. In practice, however, it can be more difficult than expected because you need to take safety, the correct connection points, and the type of lighting you choose into account. In this article, we provide you with useful tips and points of attention, so you know exactly what to look out for when purchasing and connecting new lighting.
Table of contents
Requirements before connecting lighting
Before you start connecting lighting, you will need the right materials and tools. Below is a handy overview:
- Wire & cable – for example, brown/black, blue, and yellow/green for the correct connection.
- Wago connectors – to safely connect cables to the lighting.
- Switch gear or LED dimmer – necessary if you want to switch or dim your lighting.
- Ceiling box – required if there is no existing connection point in the ceiling or wall.
- Conduit pipes – use them to conceal wires neatly and safely in walls or ceilings.
- Voltage tester – essential for safely checking whether wires are live.
- Wire stripper – indispensable for stripping cables and wires.
View the supplies for connecting lighting below!
Wiring & power
At the location where you plan to install the lighting, is there already switchable cabling present? If not, you will need the supplies mentioned above.Many homes have wiring available next to the front door. Here you can mount a wall light, for example. However, in many cases, this wiring has a continuous power supply. Therefore, if you want to switch or dim the lighting, you will need to adjust the wiring and install a switch.
Installing wiring sounds simple, but is often more complex than you think. Because when there are no cables available to connect the lighting, you will need to install new wiring between the fuse box and the lighting. So if you cannot quite figure it out, we recommend hiring an electrician.
Chasing slots in the wall
When wiring is not yet present, ask yourself, "can this wiring reach the right place relatively easily?" When this is not possible, it will have to go through the wall, which of course is no problem.However, you must keep in mind that slots will then need to be milled out to process the cabling in them. This will need to be plastered over afterwards, which involves extra work and costs.
Handy tips for connecting lighting
When connecting or purchasing lighting, there are a number of things to keep in mind for each type of lamp:
- Recessed spotlights – Always check the correct sawing size and whether sufficient recessed height is available.
- Pendant lights and surface-mounted spotlights – Pay attention to the size of the central connection box and whether the ceiling plate covers it properly.
- Wall lights – Check the connection in the wall and whether the lamp fits neatly over it.
- Dimmable lighting – Want to dim your lights? Replace the switch with an LED dimmer and make sure to account for the maximum wattage.
- Track lighting – Track systems are often slim and usually do not fit over a central junction box. Use a separate cover plate for this.
- LED strips – These cannot be connected directly to the wiring. You will need a power supply unit, which is best concealed neatly out of sight.
- Standalone light bulbs – Always check the fitting of your lamp. Want to dim? Then choose a dimmable light source.
- Cabinet lighting – If you are replacing your old 12-volt lighting under kitchen cabinets with LED, the power supply unit must also be replaced.
Connecting lighting; step-by-step guide
Do you want to connect lighting yourself? Follow the step-by-step guide below for a safe and neat installation:
Step 1: Safety first
Switch off the main switch or circuit breaker so that the circuit is no longer live. Always check this with a voltage tester before you begin.
Step 2: Order in the wires
Remove the wires from the ceiling junction box and connect them to a terminal block if necessary to maintain a clear overview.
Step 3: Mount the lamp bracket
Securely attach the included bracket to the ceiling with screws. This forms the basis for hanging the lamp.
Step 4: Strip the wires
Remove a small piece of insulation from the lamp's wires so that enough copper is exposed to make proper contact.
Step 5: Connect the wires
Connect the lamp wires to the terminal block. Ensure that the copper wires are fully in contact with the connection point and tighten the screws securely.
- Blue (N) = neutral wire
- Black (L) = live wire
- Yellow/green (⏚) = earth wire
Always check the sticker or marking at the connection point to be sure.
Step 6: Place the lamp
Mount the lamp onto the bracket using the supplied screws.
Step 7: Lamp into the fitting
Screw the light source into the fitting or click it into place, depending on the type of lamp.
Step 8: Turn on the power
Turn the main switch or circuit breaker back on to restore the power supply.
Step 9: Test the lamp
Turn on the lighting using a switch or LED dimmer and check that everything is working properly.
In short: Tips for connecting LED lighting
This article provided you with a clear foundation for connecting lighting: from orientation to a safe finish. Want to dive deeper or get started step-by-step? In the slider below, you will find follow-up articles with practical tips and clear manuals suited to your project. Discover more and continue with confidence.
