How to make your own ceiling pendant light

Bespoke pendant buying guide
18 February 2022 by
How to make your own ceiling pendant light
​Lampfix, Deryck Smith



  • How Much Will It Cost?
  • The 4 Main Parts Of The Pendant
  • Step 1: Choosing The Ceiling Rose
  • Step 2: Choosing The Cable
  • Step 3: Choosing The Lampholder
  • Step 4: Putting It All Together
  • Step 5: Choosing A Delivery Option
  • Where to go from here

 
 

  

Are you reading this article because you are searching for a single wire ceiling light? (or ‘pendant’) ? Are you beginning to wonder if the right one exists? Read the following points - do any apply to you?

  • Can't find exactly what you are looking for online
  • Unsure if a pendant suits a shade or bulb you have
  • Worried what you buy won't work, wasting you time and money
  • Need the pendant before the electrician booking
  • Want a centrepiece light ready before a special event


You are not alone!


In fact, I’ve been there myself and I’m sympathetic! It is painful returning items or cancelling trades due to insufficient pre-sale info. Even professionals in this game get in the same fixes. Firms that install hundreds of pendants in retail outlets need them different. This could be for any reason - size, mechanical, style etc.) And they need them fast.

Its exciting to have a fabulous shade that will make a wonderful centrepiece in your room. This is an opportunity to further beautify your space.


This is something I can help you with. I’ve been at Lampfix since 2008. Over the years I’ve solved hundreds of pendant requirements, on time, for creative people like you. In this article you will learn about pendant parts and wiring methods. It will help you decide on the right pendant for you.

You can also add the items to your shopping cart as you go along, and get the job done (bar installation) today.


I am biased in this article and refer to parts in our shop to buy for your pendant. You don’t have to buy from us of course. In any case, make sure the parts you buy offer the same function as the products we recommend. You can buy from us, elsewhere or from a local distributor. Please be aware we do not dictate distributor pricing. If you are in the market for our products for the long term you could become a dealer/trade buyer. [Read our article 'Is Lampfix a good fit for my business?']

I promise we will solve your problem. Here's how: 1. Read this article 2. Follow the steps 3. Buy the products based on your answers If you do all this, I can guarantee you will get the custom pendant light that works for you.

If you are in mainland UK, you will receive your order from us in a couple of working days.



How Much Will It Cost?



I can give you an idea of how much pendants cost:

Unassembled pendants: £10-40 ex VAT (£12-48 inc VAT)

Assembled pendants: £22-52 ex VAT (£27-62 inc VAT)


Here’s the factors that drive the cost up:

  • Choosing metal components, especially copper or chrome, 
  • Choosing braided flex, especially twisted
  • Getting the assembling done by Lampfix

And here’s the factors that drive the cost down:

  • Choosing plastic lampholders and ceiling roses. These are cheaper than the metal versions.
  • Choosing PVC cable - this is cheaper than braided cable.
  • Quantity - the price reduces on quantity, stepping down at quantity points of 10, 25, 50 and 100 pieces.
  • Choosing to make the pendant up yourself if this is in your area of competence.

Why does it cost so much?


These prices might seem expensive to you. Here are the reasons behind our prices:

  1. Trade Pricing. This is not a trade price. As I said earlier you can contact us if you feel you are eligible for trade / distributor pricing.
  2. They are custom, not mass produced. You will find similar, cheaper pendants elsewhere but they may not quite meet your needs.  
  3. Most of our parts are UK made - metal lampholders, metal ceiling roses, braided flex in particular. They are of superior quality to imported alternatives, in most cases.
  4. Assembling and Testing. We don’t take shortcuts. We assemble every pendant to the highest standard and test for electrical safety. Each pendant has a UKCA sticker with a serial number for traceability.
  5. Sum seems greater than parts. In other words it's strange how it all adds up!

This still sounds a lot, should I go somewhere else?


That of course is up to you! Just study the photos carefully to ensure you will receive the same quality of product, safety, delivery and service before you purchase.




The 4 Main Parts Of The Pendant Light You Need To Consider


As I’m sure you’re already aware, there are 4 basic components to a pendant light (shade not included):

1. Ceiling rose
2. Cable
3. Lampholder and
4. Lamp (light bulb)


The table below shows this. Read the comments next to each part.


PARTS

OUR COMMENTS AT THIS STAGE.

1. Ceiling rose

You can choose pretty much any ceiling rose.

2. Cable


2 core or 3 Core 0.75mm is industry standard for pendants.


Metal lampholders will need 3 Core 0.75mm cable. 


Plastic lampholders can take either a 2 or a 3 core 0.75mm cable. 


3. Lampholder (and shade rings if needed)

More detail later but the lampholder needs to be compatible with the light bulb you will have.


It also needs to be compatible with your shade if you have one in mind.  


More on this further down the page.

4. Lamp (or ‘light bulb’)

Needs to be compatible with the lampholder. 


Again, more on this further down the page.




To see what the finished product can look like, you may wish to browse our ready made pendants. 


You will be able to choose quite different colour schemes if needed, to what we have available.


When you are ready, head back here and we’ll move to the start line, Step 1, Choosing The Ceiling Rose.




Step 1: Choosing The Ceiling Rose



There is no constraint on which single outlet ceiling rose to choose. Have a browse through them and choose one that you like the look of.

There are often a variety of finishes for each ceiling rose. Use the radio buttons within each product page to select different finishes.


Now you know about roses, you can go ahead and select one and add it to your basket.


When you are ready, head back here and we’ll move on to Step 2, Choosing The Cable.




Step 2: Choosing The Cable


For pendants, the industry standard is 0.75mm cable. 


If you have in mind to choose a metal lampholder, you will need to choose a 3 core 0.75mm cable.


Or if you'd like a plastic lampholder, you can choose a 2 or 3 core 0.75mm cable. 


There is often a variety of colours for each cable. You can select the radio buttons on the product pages to select different colours.

The least you can order is 1 metre and you have to order in metre increments. If you need a particular length, round it up to nearest metre. Put your exact length in the order notes later on at the checkout stage. If you are using an electrician they will be able to shorten the length if needed.


Now you know about cable, you can go ahead and select it and add it to your basket.


When you are ready, head back here and we’ll move on to Step 3, Choosing The Lampholder.





Step 3: Choosing The Lampholder


If you are not using a shade with your pendant, you can go ahead and select any 'cordgrip lampholder' you like the look of.


And if you are using a shade? 


For light weight shades up to 1 kilo, you need to do the following to help you choose the right lampholder. If your shade is heavier than this, you might need to consider using chain to suspend it, which is not covered in this article.

Measure the opening in the shade. See my sketch below to help you with this (excuse my awkward drawings).

 


Shade Opening - diameter and dimensions

Compatible Cordgrip Lampholders

40mm Opening

  • E27 
  • BC & SES - ONLY IF used with Shade Reducing Rings (more on this below)

30mm Opening

  • BC
  • SES

20mm Opening

  • Some types of SBC - BUT they would need a cord grip fitted (contact us).

Misc opening

  • Conversion required (contact us).




If the hole is approximately 40mm, you can use E27 lamp holders. Or if you purchase a shade reducing ring, you can use BC or SES lamp holders too.


If it is approximately 30mm, you can use BC or SES lampholders. You cannot use E27 lampholders, they are too wide for the hole - 38mm wide in most cases.


You may need to buy separate shade locking rings for your cordgrip lampholder. You will be able to see if you do by reading the lampholder information on its individual page.


For your lampholder to suit a bulb you already have, you need to use the table below to determine what cap that bulb has. Ensure the lampholder matches this.  We can also supply you with a bulb too, if you need.



Mainstream domestic light bulb caps and their diameters (widths) in mm.

Other names / phrases used to refer to them

E27 Cap

27mm Width

ES

Edison Screw

E27

Large Screw

Standard Screw type

E14 Cap

14mm Width

SES

Small Edison Screw

E14

Small Screw

Small Screw type

B22 Cap

22mm Width

BC

Bayonet Cap

B22

Standard Push and Twist

B15 Cap

15mm Width

SBC

Small Bayonet Cap

B15

Small Push and Twist




There are often a variety of finishes for each lampholder. You can click each of the radio buttons on the product pages to select the different finishes.


Now you know all about lampholders, you can add your lampholder (and shade rings if needed), to your basket.

Once done, head back here and we'll move on to Step 4: Putting It All Together.




Step 4: Putting It All Together


It’s now time to decide who will assemble the pendant, either yourself or Lampfix.


You may want to make it up yourself if wiring is in your area of competence or your electrician wants to do it. We have growing number of product videos to help you with this.


Otherwise you can ask us to assemble it for an extra cost. We will assemble it to a high standard and test it for electrical safety before we send it to you.

As this is a single pendant, you can leave the first radio button selected on the page. Here is that page.

If you are making 1 pendant, made, leave the quantity at 1. If more, enter the number of pendants to make and add to cart.

When that's done, head back here and we'll tackle the final step, number 5: Delivery.





Step 5: Choosing A Delivery Option: 



How Fast Is Delivery?


We will deliver your pendant to your door in 2-3 working days.  


We often end up even delivering the next working day!

You can expect larger quantities like 50 pendants in 4-5 days.


We have other services available, including guaranteed next day and Saturday deliveries. 




And How Much Does It Cost?


Economy carriage costs £5.10 + VAT for orders placed online. This is free on orders over £50 + VAT. 


Guaranteed next day delivery costs £10 + VAT. This is free on orders over £100 + VAT.


This does not include remote-UK or international destinations.


For AM, Saturday, remote or International delivery costs, calculate at checkout stage.

So now you know all about our delivery, it's time to review your shopping cart.

Read through this article again, cross check all the products you have in your basket.

When done, proceed to checkout. Complete your address details. Select another delivery option if you need it sooner than the pre-selected default.

Once you have processed the payment, the order will be complete. The next step will be to install your pendant once it arrives.




Where Do I Go From Here?


Now you know you can actually do it! You can achieve: - The pendant you want - How you want it - When you want it Congratulations and thanks for reading!


If you’ve done all the above, a warm welcome to Lampfix! We value your custom and are glad you have chosen us.


If you still need further help please do contact us here or via the web chat below during weekdays. We’d love to hear from you!




How to make your own ceiling pendant light
​Lampfix, Deryck Smith 18 February 2022
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