Installation of Lighting Fixtures in a Suspended Ceiling

The installation of lighting fixtures in a suspended ceiling should be discussed with master craftsmen before starting the installation works for the ceiling panel. In most cases, the customer independently performs all necessary wiring to the points of planned installation of lighting fixtures.

Today, two types of lighting are most common: central lighting and spot lighting. We will discuss these types further.

Installation of a Chandelier on a Suspended Ceiling

Recessed light fixtures are installed in specially prepared brackets, consisting of a ring and legs. The ring for this system must be made from heat-resistant material, as it may be exposed to high temperatures during operation.

The power of light bulbs installed in a suspended ceiling should not exceed 60 W, and the power of halogen bulbs should not exceed 35 W.

The legs of the brackets must be made from aluminum strips. The height of the legs should be adjusted according to the level of the suspended ceiling in relation to the standard.

IMPORTANT! Plywood is an unsuitable material for making rings, although many craftsmen use it. Plywood is initially an uneven material and is also highly susceptible to deformation.

The bracket is mounted to the ceiling before starting the installation of the suspended system. After completing the work with the suspended ceiling, the bracket is aligned with it.

The ceiling film is cut at the planned locations of the light fixtures. The cut area is pre-covered with protective rings (a thin plastic washer), which help reinforce the holes.

Now, you can connect and install the light fixture, first putting several heat-insulating rings on its housing. These prevent the ceiling film from burning due to heat from the fixture.

Installing a chandelier on a suspended ceiling concludes with adjusting the light fixture to align with the ceiling level.

A chandelier can also be installed on an existing mounting system – such as a hook, for example, or mounted on a prepared surface:

In the first case, an reinforcing ring is glued under the hook. The ceiling film inside this ring is then cut, the chandelier is hung on the hook, and the resulting hole in the suspended ceiling is covered with a masking bell.
When installing on a surface, mark the locations for screw holes. The marked points are reinforced with protective washers, and the fixture base is screwed to the surface through these washers.

Diagram 1 — Installation Scheme of a Light Fixture in a Suspended Ceiling

Installation of Spot Lighting Fixtures in a Suspended Ceiling

This technology is largely similar to installing central lighting.

You will need:

a light fixture;
a reinforcement ring made of foam;
cyanoacrylate adhesive;
a box sized to match the chosen light fixture with ventilation holes made of acrylic plastic (mounted to the existing ceiling);
a reinforcement ring;
a knife;
a laser.

Photo 1 — Installation of Spot Lighting Fixtures in a Suspended Ceiling

Steps for Installing Spot Lighting Fixtures:

Install the mounting profile.
Install boxes for each spot light at the required height. Each should have a nut for adjusting the height. Ensure that the bottom edge of each box aligns with the level of the stretched ceiling panel.
Use a laser or plumb line to mark points on the floor that correspond to the placement of each light fixture – this helps quickly locate the boxes after stretching the film.
After installing the panel, make holes for each spot light fixture. You can locate these holes not only by the marked points on the floor but also by probing the stretched ceiling panel.
Mark the centers of the light fixtures on the film with a marker. Apply a layer of adhesive to these marked spots and place the reinforcement ring on top.
IMPORTANT! The center of the light fixture marked on the film must align exactly with the center of the reinforcement ring!
The ceiling film must be cut in the center of the reinforcement ring.
Adjust the height of the box for the spot light through holes in the film.
Final steps include connecting the electrical cable and placing the light fixture into the box.

Different spot lighting systems require minor adjustments in installation. Here are examples of mounting products from branded manufacturers:

Table 1 — Examples of Mounting Products from Branded Manufacturers

Installation of Two-Level Suspended Ceilings

Installing two-level suspended ceilings allows for more experimentation with room lighting.

Installation of Two-Level Suspended Ceilings. VIDEO

$ Cost of Installing Central Lighting

Works related to installing central lighting or spot fixtures are included in the list of additional services and are charged separately.

Installation cost:

Kyiv: 50-200 UAH per unit.
Moscow: 150-600 RUB per unit.