These kits include from 12' to 20' of wire, 10' of chain, mounting hooks, toggel bolts and wood retaining screws. Some also include a switch that is not used in the standard swag installation. These swag kits range in price from $14 - $25 depending upon the type and finish of the metal on the hook and chain. Make sure you purchase a swag kit that matches the metal finish of you chandelier and has wire that will also match what is used in your existing fixture.
The process of swaging the fixture is a follows:
- Mark the center of your table on the ceiling above the table. This will determine where the fixture will hang. This is done by measuring from the center of the table to 2 of the closest walls that are 90 degrees from each other (write these measurements down). That way you can use these measurements to mark the ceiling directly above the table that is exactly in the center of your table.
- Move the table out of the way so you have access to the ceiling and fixture.
- Using a ladder measure on the ceiling exactly the same measurements as you did when measuring. Make a mark on the ceiling where each measurement crosses. This will give you a mark exactly in the center of your table.
- Using a 1/2" wood bit and drill, drill a hole in the sheetrock where you made the cross mark. If the bit goes right through the sheetrock that is OK. If you hit a ceiling joist that is OK as well, just make sure you do not drill into the joist. This will determine the type of attachment screw you will use to attach the hanging hook.
- If the bit went through the sheetrock and did not hit a joist you will use the toggle bolt on your hook. If you hit a joist you will use the wood screw bolt on you hook. Both will be supplied in the kit.
- Now using the mounting hook and screw bolt matching the type of support you have, secure the mounting hook to the ceiling by tightening it until it covers the hole you made in the ceiling with the drill bit. Screw it until it is tight up the the ceiling.
- Now go the the fixture and measure the existing chain length and write this down.
- Taking the new chain from the swag kit and tough one end of the chain to the center of the fixture center attachment point and then pull the chain tight until it touches the mounting hook you just put into the ceiling. Then allow enough chain to swag from the mark until the center of the swag is about 6" to 8" from the ceiling. Once you have that point in the middle of the chain, measure from that link to the end of the chain that is touching the fixture attachment point and write that measurement down.
- Now add the two measurements together and that is how long the new chain needs to be.
- Once you have measured out that chain length, locate the chain link just after that measurement and that is the link you will need to open and remove. The chain you just measured is the one you will use to replace the existing chain with.
- TURN OFF THE POWER TO THE FIXTURE AT THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OR FUSE PANEL.
- Remove the fixture from the ceiling making sure you have a way to support it either on the table or in a chair. Make sure not to break any glass bulbs or covers.
- Once you have the fixture resting on the table or chair you will need to remove the old chain and wire and replace them with the new chain and wire from the kit. This process requires that you disassemble the fixture, usually at the bottom, opening the wiring box thereby allowing the wire connections to the light arms to be exposed. Disconnected the old wire from the light arm wires, usually connected with wire nuts, and removed the old wire from the fixture.
- Once the old wire is removed insert the new wire into the same hole at the top of the fixture and push it through until you can see is at the bottom. Pull enough wire out so you can make up the connection just as it was when the other wire was removed. Each bulb arm should have two wires coming out of it, each connected to a corresponding wires from each of the other bulb arms. These are the hot and neutral wires.
- You then need to connect one wire from the newly installed wire to the hot and the other to the neutral and wire nut each. Reinstall the wires back into the wiring box.
- Once this is done replace the wiring cover to the bottom as it was when you disassembled it.
- Now you need to install the new chain by opening one of the links and putting it on the hanging ring on the top of the fixture. Once on the ring bend the chain link back into place.
- Now stretch the chain out from the fixture and measure out the amount of chain that matched the length of the original chain you first marked down. Taking the chain link that corresponds with that length, hang the fixture on the mounting hook using that link.
- Now repeat the above step for the hanger loop that connects to the ceiling mounting bracket.
- Now snake the new wire through every fourth link until you reach the hanger loop and push the wire through the hole in the hanger loop.
- Make sure the chain, hanger loop and wire are pushed through the ceiling cover and cover nut.
- Push the wire through the mounting screw pipe in the junction box and allow all remaining wire to hang out of the junction box.
- Screw the hanger loop on the mounting screw pipe until it is tight.
- Cut the wire to the proper length and attach to the ceiling hot and neutral wires.
- Push the wires into the junction box and replace the cover and cover nut until the cover is tight against the ceiling.
- Turn the power back on and test the light.
If all else fails just call a professional or One Call Home Handyman and we will help in any way we can.
If you have any questions please email us at sales@onecallhomehandyman.com or go to our site at http://www.onecallhomehandyman.com/
