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I've got a new pendant light system that comes with two strong cables to hang it from the ceiling. Our concern is that the light is very heavy. Does anyone have any suggestions for actually mounting the cables to the ceiling in a way that is secure and not going to cause damage?

The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. - Oscar Wilde

The only way I can think of to hang heavy objects from the ceiling is to use a bracket that runs between two joists in the ceiling, similar to what a ceiling fan would mount on. After you get the bracket in place, you would use a regular light fixture junction box to run power to it.

Hi JB,
If the lights are that heavy needless to say, you will
need to attach them directly to the ceiling studs.
The problem is that the studs/joists may not run
exactly over the tank location.
If that is the case you will need to mount a
"cross bar" of 2x4 or perhaps an aluminum channel
to the studs and then the lights to the the cross bar
so they are located directly over the tank, in the position
that you want.

Generally, the pendant type lights have a "footprint" of
about 2-3 feet making it necessary to use more than one
lamp for longer tanks.

Simply attaching them to the plasterboard ceiling won't
work in the long run.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I got in trouble when I told him that i asked this question on here - as he said "I'm an electrician and you think I don't know how to hang lights?" I kind of see his point. And his descriptions of how he is going to do it match your suggestions; he's going to bolt a strong piece of wood to the ceiling studs and then attach the cables to the wood. Should all be fine.

Now, if only he can get a work day shorter than 12 hours so that he actually comes home willing to do it. Poor boy.

The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. - Oscar Wilde

Hi JB...



Frank

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--