Fitting lamps made easy: tips for beginners

The most important information at a glance

• Safety first: Always switch off the power at the fuse box and check that there is no voltage!
• Understand cable colors: Correctly assigning L, N and PE is crucial.
• Step by step: From preparation to finished installation - this is how it works even without prior knowledge.

Light on! But safely: the right preparation counts when connecting lamps

Careful preparation is the be-all and end-all when installing a light. Safety always comes first: always switch off the power at the fuse box first - switching off the light switch is not enough! Only when you have checked that there is no voltage with a two-pole voltage tester can you work safely.

💡 What tools do I need to fit the lamp - and for what?

• Screwdriver (cross and slotted)
• Voltage tester
• Wire strippers for cable processing
• Side cutters
• WAGO terminals or other connection terminals
• Drill with suitable dowels (if required)
• Sturdy conductors

💡 Screwdriver (cross and slotted)

What for? To loosen and tighten screws on the luster terminal, lamp socket or junction box.

There are two types:

• Slotted screwdriver (with flat tip)
  
  
• Phillips screwdriver (with cross tip)

💡 Expert tip: The matching tip prevents the screw from slipping and being damaged.

💡 Tension tester

• What is it used for? To check whether there is current on a cable - i.e. whether it is live.
  
  
• Indispensable for your safety!
  
  
• Hold the tip to the conductor - if the lamp in the handle lights up, it is still live → Switch off the fuse!

💡 Wire stripper

• What are they used for? To remove the insulation from the cable ends without damaging the copper wire.
  
  
• This is the only way you can insert or screw the cable into the terminal.
  
  
• Clean stripping is important for reliable contact.

💡 Side cutters

• What for? To shorten cables cleanly or remove protruding wire remnants.
  
  
• Particularly useful for long or damaged ends.

💡 WAGO terminals or other connecting terminals

• What are they used for? These clamps connect several cables together securely and without tools.
  
  
• Particularly popular because they are fast, reliable and secure.
  
  
• Alternative to old luster terminals.

💡 Drill with suitable dowels (if required)

• What for? If the lamp needs to be fixed to a concrete ceiling or plaster wall, you will need suitable wall plugs and drill holes.
  
  
• Dowels ensure that the lamp is held firmly and securely.

💡 Sturdy ladder

• What for? So that you can reach the ceiling safely and comfortably without dislocating yourself.
  
  
• Important: The ladder should not wobble so that you can concentrate on your work with both hands.

Connecting the lamp: deciphering the tangled cables

For non-professionals, understanding the cables and their colors is often the biggest challenge. There are usually several cables of different colors coming out of the ceiling or wall.

The colors of the cables are important so that you can connect your lamp correctly:

The protective earth conductor, abbreviated PE, is a particularly important part of the electrical installation - even if it is not directly involved in the current flow.

💡 What does the PE conductor do?

• The protective earth conductor ensures your safety by diverting dangerous currents to earth in the event of a fault.
  
  
• It prevents the housing of a lamp or appliance, for example, from being energized if a fault occurs inside.
  
  
• This prevents you from getting an electric shock if you touch the lamp.
  
  

• The PE conductor is always striped green and yellow - this is internationally standardized so that no confusion is possible.

💡 Expert advice: Even if the PE conductor does not carry any current in normal operation, it should never be omitted or disconnected - especially for lights with metal housings.

What do L and N mean when connecting a lamp?

If you want to connect a lamp, you will almost always see the letters L and N on the connection terminals - often also on the luminaire terminal or directly on the connection of the luminaire.

These abbreviations stand for the electrical conductors in your power grid:

• - L stands for the live conductor (phase).
• - N is the neutral conductor that returns the current.

💡 L = outer conductor (phase)

• This conductor carries the current from the power source to the lamp.
  
  
• It is usually brown or black in color.
  
  
• Caution: This wire can be live even when switched off - so always switch off the fuse before connecting anything!

💡 N = Neutral conductor

• The neutral conductor (abbreviation N) carries the current from the lamp back to the mains supply.
  
  
• It is usually blue. (In very old cables, it can also be gray)
  
  
• The neutral conductor closes the circuit so that the lamp can light up as soon as current flows.
  

💡 Simply explained:

Think of the circuit as a water circuit:

• The L conductor brings the water to the lamp,
  
  
• The N conductor leads it back again.

Only if both are present can the "electrical circuit" flow - and the lamp light up.

Step-by-step instructions for safe installation of a lamp

1. Switch off the power: Remove the fuse, check that there is no voltage.
   
   
2. Remove the old lamp: If available, unscrew the old lamp and disconnect the cable connections.
   
   
3. Prepare the cable: Strip approx.1 cm of insulation from the ends of the wires. ("Stripping" means removing the plastic insulation from the individual wires). Use a wire stripper for clean results.
   
   
4. Connect the lamp: Connect the cables of the new lamp to the corresponding cables from the ceiling or wall. Use WAGO terminals for a secure connection.
   
   
5. Attach the lamp: Mount the light on the ceiling or wall. Make sure it is firmly attached.
   
   
6. Switch on the power and test: Insert the fuse again, press the light switch - done!

💡 Checklist: You should pay attention to this

• Power switched off at the fuse box?
• Check that there is no voltage?
• Cable colors assigned correctly?
• WAGO terminals or secure connection used?
• Lamp firmly mounted?
• Function test carried out?

Conclusion

A designer lamp is a statement of style and functionality. With the right tips, installation is safe and easy. Whether you want to install your chosen wall light or connect your newly purchased ceiling light: with our installation instructions, you can enjoy the special ambience that a high-quality light from NEONA brings to your home.

FAQ

How do I connect a lamp with just two cables?

Connect the brown (L) and the blue (N) cable. The green/yellow earth conductor remains free if the lamp does not have a connection for it.

What should I do if the cable colors differ?

If in doubt, always ask an electrician! Old installations may have different colors.

Can I fit any lamp myself?

As long as you observe the safety rules and do not make any structural changes, yes. If you are unsure, it is better to hire a specialist.

💡 If you would like to read more about room lighting, click here:

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• Living room lighting concept: ideas for perfect lighting
• Staircase lighting ideas: Creative & stylish solutions