How to Install Recessed Lighting in a Finished Ceiling
The lighting affects of a space can be drastically altered by installing recessed lighting in place of current ceiling lights. These lamps can give the impression that a space is larger because the light source is recessed. Depending on the illumination requirements, each concealed light container can be equipped with either a floodlight or a spotlight. The solitary ceiling light bulb can be taken down, and various locations throughout the room can have recessed lighting installed in a completed ceiling.
1. Disconnect the electrical connection that powers the ceiling light by flipping the breaker button. With a tool, remove the switch plate covering the light switch, then place a non-contact electrical tester against the switch's side wires. If the tester's light illuminates, the circuit is still powered. To make sure that all power has been cut off to the circuit, turn off additional breakers or the primary breaker for the home. Then, retest. Put a new switch cover on.
2. Place a stepladder underneath the existing ceiling light and take out the globe and lamps. Next, remove the mounting bolts and drag the existing fixture down. After releasing the wire bolts from the cables, remove the fixture. Push the junction box up into the ceiling after removing the mounting screws that are keeping it in position.
3. Using a stud detector, locate the ceiling joists on either side of each of the intended recessed light placements. Drill a starter hole into the ceiling for the center of each recessed light, no closer than six inches from any ceiling beam, using a 1/8-inch drill bit.
4. Locate each of the pilot openings by going up into the loft above the room. To make room around each spot, pull back any padding. Draw the outline of the cutout around the recessed light can on the sheetrock, center it over each of the openings (including the cavity for the original light fixture), and then fill it in. Utilizing a keyhole saw, create each plasterboard opening.
5. Using the mounting fasteners you removed to initially loosen the junction box, reinstall it onto the top of one of the ceiling beams with the electrical wire from the light switch still attached.
6. Connect one of the recessed lamps to the junction box with a 14/2 (with ground) electrical wire. Use a mallet to secure the cabling with wire staples along the ceiling beams. With a set of wire cutters, cut the cable from the coil. Then, pass one end of the cable through the opening in the drywall and the other end into the junction box, both of which should be 12 inches long. Between the junction box and each extra drywall opening, run a different piece of cable.
7. Using a screwdriver, tighten the wire clips to hold the cables to the junction box. Use a utility knife to cut away the outer covering from each wire. Using a set of wire strippers, remove 3/4-inch of insulation from each of the black and white lines in the junction box. Connect the exposed wires first, then the white wires, and finally all of the black wires with a wire clamp. To secure the cabling, tuck all of the wires into the junction box and attach a junction box cover.
8. Go back to the room below and take off the recessed light's cabling compartment lid. One of the wires should be inserted into a concealed light can's wire clamp. After securing the cable inside the clamp by tightening the fasteners, cut away the cable's exterior wrapping with a utility knife.
9. Remove 1/2 inch of insulation from the wire tips, then use a wire nut to join the black wire tips. Similar connections should be made with the white wires, and then use a screwdriver to attach the exposed wire to the grounding pin. Replace the compartment lid after inserting the cables into the wiring compartment.
10. Slide the recessed light can into the opening until the bottom edge's flange is level with the ceiling, then push the wires up into the ceiling cavity. The can's four fastening clip tabs should be folded out so they can secure the can against the walls.
11. Put a floodlight or flashlight into the can's internal socket. The springs on the trim ring should be inserted into the holes in the can before positioning it over the can's lip.
12. Use the same technique used for the first can to install the remaining concealed light fixtures. Next, activate the circuit breaker and use the light switch to test the recess lights.
