Why old wiring becomes a problem
Wiring has a much shorter life than the chandelier it serves. Rubber and early plastic insulation hardens and cracks with age and with the heat of the lamps above it, and cable that has been disturbed during past house moves or repairs is often the first thing to fail. A chandelier that has been in place for decades may look perfectly sound from the floor while its internal cabling is perished.
Because of that, we assess the condition of any existing wiring before recommending work, alongside the construction of the piece itself. Some fittings need nothing more than new flex and lamp holders; others have never been electrified at all.
What rewiring involves
Where access requires it, the chandelier is taken apart methodically and each element documented and catalogued so that it returns to exactly the same arrangement. Perished cable is removed with respect for the metalwork, and the interiors of arms, columns and canopies are cleaned before new cable is drawn through.
New wiring is routed discreetly so that it remains out of sight, and lamp holders and components are chosen to suit the period of the fitting. The chandelier is then reassembled and undergoes full testing and safety checks, including PAT testing and certification, before the work is considered complete. Work is carried out either in situ or at our Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire workshop, depending on how complex the fitting is.
What affects the answer
Very fragile or historically significant pieces need a more cautious approach, and we will discuss that with you before starting. The construction of the fitting matters too: hollow cast arms and columns take new cable readily, while some pieces have very little internal space. Where a chandelier is unusually delicate, the sympathetic option is often to do less rather than more.
A rewiring project in a church
A 19th-century brass chandelier at St Mary's Church, Wollaston was restored and electrified as part of the church's nave reordering scheme — an example of a historic fitting brought into safe modern use while keeping its character. The project is documented in full: restoration and re-electrification of a 19th-century brass church chandelier.
When to ask for professional help
Rewiring a chandelier is mains electrical work carried out on a fragile antique, and it is not a job to attempt at home. If a fitting flickers, trips a circuit, has visibly cracked or taped cable, or has never been electrified, stop using it and have it looked at. Connection into the household circuit should always be carried out by a qualified electrician.
Chandelier Rewiring & Electrification — we work from our Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire workshop, serving Hertfordshire, London, the Home Counties and beyond.