Hanging a Heavy Light from the Ceiling

Turn off power to the existing light fixture at the breaker box. The easiest way to make sure you get the right breaker is to have the light on, and when the breaker is turned off the light will go out. You can double-check with a meter if you wish.

Remove the old light fixture. You need to take out any screws holding it to the ceiling and then disconnect any wires between the fixture and the electric box in the ceiling. Remove the electrical box as well.

Rotate the adjusting screw on the chandelier-ceiling fan brace by hand until it's set to its shortest length. Slip it up through the hole in the ceiling and turn it so that each end is aimed toward a joist. The brace itself must be flat against the ceiling.

Feed the wires from inside the ceiling through the appropriate holes in the brace’s metal electrical box. Make sure the insulation on the wires is intact so there's no chance of bare wires touching the metal box.

Keep the brace’s electrical box centered over the hole while you turn the adjusting screw with your hand. The screw will force both ends of the brace out. Keep turning until you feel the gripping points on the ends of the brace bite into the wood of the joists. Don't turn the adjusting screw so much that the brace actually pushes on the joists.

Attach the light fixture’s crossbar to the metal box on the ceiling brace. It must be attached securely so that there's no chance of it falling. The hardware for this normally is included with the new fixture.

Connect the fixture wires to the ceiling wires. Tighten the wire nuts so that the connections are secure and no bare wire is exposed.

Slide the canopy for the light fixture up to the ceiling. It must fit flat against the ceiling and cover the hole completely. Use a wrench to tighten the nut that holds the canopy in place to complete the installation.