Bought a beautiful new pendant but the cord hangs a little too low? No worries—shortening a lamp cord is easier than you think. In this guide, you’ll learn how to safely and neatly adjust the length yourself, step by step.

Tools you’ll need

Gather everything first so you can work safely and smoothly.

- Voltage tester
- Wire stripper and wire cutters (or a sharp utility knife)
- Small screwdriver (flat and cross-head)
- Electrical tape or small cable tie
- Optional: lever connectors (e.g., WAGO), replacement strain relief

Step-by-step installation guide

1. Decide the ideal height

The right hanging height depends on the space. Use these quick guidelines:
- Above a dining table: 70–80 cm from tabletop to the bottom of the lamp.
- Open areas: Keep at least 2.0 m clearance from floor to the bottom of the lamp.
- Tall hallways/voids: Maintain generous headroom and balance with the room’s scale (have a helper hold the lamp at a few heights and check sight lines).

2. Mark the desired cord length

Use a small piece of tape or a marker to indicate the new length on the cord. Account for the canopy (ceiling cup) space and the section needed for connections and strain relief.

3. Shorten the cord

Power off: Switch off the correct circuit at the fuse box and verify with a voltage tester that no power is present.
Remove the canopy: Loosen the canopy so you can access the terminal block and cord grip/strain relief.
Feed to your mark: Loosen the strain relief (or small clamp screw) and pull the cord through until your mark aligns.
Tidy or cut: If there’s excess cord, either coil it neatly inside the canopy and secure with a small cable tie, or cut it to length. If you cut it, strip ~5 mm of insulation from each conductor so the wires can be reconnected.

4. Check the new height

Before closing everything, have someone hold the lamp so you can confirm the height and alignment. Make final adjustments now if needed.

5. Reconnect and secure

Reconnect the conductors to the terminal block:
- Brown → L (live)
- Blue → N (neutral)
- Green/Yellow (if present & Class I fitting) → earth terminal
Ensure no bare copper is visible and retighten the strain relief so the cord cannot pull on the terminals. Fit the canopy back to the ceiling bracket.

6. Restore power and test

Switch the power back on and test the lamp. If all looks good, you’re done—enjoy your perfectly hung pendant!

Safety tips

- Always verify power is off with a voltage tester before touching any wiring.
- Use the strain relief correctly to prevent the cord from slipping.
- If your fixture includes an earth connection, make sure it is connected.
- Not confident with wiring? Consult a qualified electrician.