DCL: How to fix your luminaire?

That's it! You've moved into your "home sweet home", all you have to do is settle in and decorate it to your taste! You may be looking for ideas, especially for dressing your ceiling and that little plate in the middle of which is a hook for installing a suspension luminaire... Besides, what's the point of this plate?

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A DCL box, what is it?

In fact, it's a bit like an iceberg: the most visible part (here, the hook) is actually just a small part of a much larger, and well-hidden, whole...

Below the approximately 7 cm-diameter plate is in fact a complete electrical safety assembly that goes by the name DCL, for light connection device. The DCL works like a socket, and consists of a flush-mounted box into which a socket and plug are inserted. This flush-mounted box is closed by a plastic base, in the middle of which is a hook. A robust mounting system, since it is designed to support a luminaire weighing up to 25 kilos.

All this makes the DCL an unobtrusive, sturdy device, giving you a wide range of choices for outfitting your ceiling with a hung light fixture.

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A DCL box, for whom?

Your electrician is probably very familiar with DCLs, since the NF C 15-100 standard - which defines the rules governing the safety of electrical installations and takes comfort criteria into account - has required their use since 1^er October 2001. So, for all new builds or renovations, the electrician is obliged to offer you a secure electrical installation, with no unauthorized outlets for electrical wires. For ceilings in the main rooms of homes, in particular, he must use this small flush-mounted box containing a socket, which then allows you to install your light fixture by simply plugging it in.

If you're a do-it-yourselfer, and have already exercised your talents on electrical work, you'll surely appreciate the simplicity of DCL, and may decide to install it yourself if you're undertaking renovation work. Otherwise, don't hesitate to call in a professional who can install DCL boxes in your home, or even continue with the installation of the luminaires you've chosen.

What are the advantages of a DCL?

The obligation to use DCLs is here to make your life easier, and safer!

1. First and foremost, the luminaire connection device is a system that preserves your safety. The handling required to install your luminaire or change a bulb is limited thanks to the DCL's design, which therefore also reduces risk-taking,
2. The risk of electric shock is therefore minimized, too, at the time of electrical installation. Caution: in all cases, with or without DCL, the electricity must be cut off when the luminaire is connected...
3. Fitting your ceiling light is quicker and easier because all you have to do is connect the DCL plug to the Hoopzï light, without a screwdriver or any other additional tools.
4. The electrical wires no longer protrude from the ceiling, and aren't even visible, since they're concealed in the luminaire connection device's housing. An undeniable aesthetic advantage!

Do-it-yourselfers will simply appreciate the time saved installing their lights without having to get out a whole toolbox, and without spending hours at it. The less DIY-minded may want to reserve the installation and connection work for an electrician, and simply enjoy their suspended luminaire: and why not? That's what comfort is all about...

For everyone, the safety and neat appearance of the installation will represent inestimable comfort and gain. It's enough to make you want to move in, isn't it?

The metal bar to fix the bracket & hide the wires

How to check if your pendant light is DCL-compatible?

The DCL box is a system mainly used in France. Most manufacturers of foreign brands do not offer the option of connecting their luminaires to a DCL, since in their country, this box is not compulsory.

If you buy an Italian or English brand pendant light, therefore, pay close attention to its connection system, and check that your light will be compatible with the light connection device installed in your home!

How to validate the compatibility of your suspension?

First of all, it's important that the steel horn of your pendant light is wide enough to cover your plastic housing. It's advisable to buy a pendant luminaire with a steel horn of sufficient width to hide this unsightly plastic box.

Now let's take a look at the support bar that hangs your horn from the DCL. It's vital that this has a central hole so that you can attach your horn to the DCL, otherwise fixing the luminaire to the DCL will be impossible.

To the left the hook to be replaced by the metal bar supplied with the Hoopzi light suspension (in the middle) & result to the right without the box.

What if you connected a Hoopzi suspension to your DCLs?

Good news: Hoopzi suspensions have everything you need!"

Hoopzi is the leading French company in woven electric wire suspension with electric fixing kit. We've developed an electric suspension that connects quickly and easily to the DCL system. Featuring a 12 cm steel horn, it will dress up the base of your DCL, and make you forget about that little plate that's bothering you so much at the moment. Compliant with current electrical standards, Hoopzi's colorful suspensions are supplied with suitable mounting accessories and will adapt to your installation without difficulty.

We invite you to watch the video opposite: you'll realize how simple it is indeed to install your Hoopzi suspension to your DCL system.

Available in a variety of colors and materials, our pendant lights come in 1 wire, 2 wire, 3 wire or 5 wire for a bright decor!

L'équipe Hoopzi