Installation Of Recessed Lights

Morry

Hey im a flooring guy. And im interested in doing recessed lights in my personal room at home. And im wondering how do i go on by doing this. Because i like to do work my self and not hire other people for my personal work. It is a DIY but im asking the pro's. So neways basically rite now there is a light int he center of the ceiling, and a light switch. Now my question is after i cut the wholes in ceiling, and mount the lights. How do i go on the wiring part. Is the power for the one light originally enough power to split to all the new 5 lights, or do i have to run new wires? please any help would be appreciated. THanks everyone

HallisseyDesign

Simple-The box you have in the ceiling needs to come out or u can put a plate on it. DO NOT HIDE THE BOX. That old hole take the lines and make that one can. On the side of can lights you will see a box- that holds the wires (black and white) put flex (bx line) and connect them- colors match going each way. Then feed the end of the line that is not connected to the next hole. If you can use romex do it. Hook that one up the same. Here I can draw you a picture give me a few minutes and i can draw it for you.

JustaFramer

As for the wiring you will need to figure out if the current circuit can handle the 5 new lights. If it can you can use the line coming off the switch then run the lights in series.

HallisseyDesign

Drawing it in cad so you can read it- the new electrical code is 12 outlet/lights per circuit. So if the house was wired before 2003 then you will be fine. Hope you can read this. The main coming into the middle box- Just keep jumping the power, ie box to the next box. Also make sure you get remodel boxes. They can just slide into the hole- no need for drywall work. I can't get to sit right so you can read it. Umm if you don't understand what I wrote say so and I can try to make it easier to understand.

Josh

Celtic

What "new electrical code" is this?

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mdshunk

Yeah... Remember, this is the guy that says he's been doing electrical for 10 years

JustaFramer

Yeah I thought it had to do with ohms law or something like that. High School electronics here. Though its been 13 years for me. Damn has it been that long. lol
I know you don't want to over load your circuit with with to many amperes.

mdshunk

Right. That's why a good electrician will install an ampre expansion module on each recessed light.

mahlere

we put them on everything....on big jobs we'll throw in a few ampere deresidualizers....they work like a charm...but they are expensive.

JohnJ0906

What are you charging for them these days?

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John from Baltimore
"One Day at a Time"
All replies based on the 2008 NEC

Morry

Well im confused now lol i cant seem to view the cad drawing but i guess this is not my field in this job. I mean im working in flooring now and i love it i do natural stone and counter tops and all that. But i want to get into general contruction, but for now i think im just gona call a buddy of mine that is an electrician and ask him to hook it up for me. Does anyone have any good tips that i need to know and to see if he does the correct job or not? by the way thanks for all the good info guys.

HallisseyDesign

hey can you email me? I can try to send them to you and tell you how to wire them up. jdhallissey@hallissey.net

Magnettica

"An Ampere Expansion Module"

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stars13bars2

Don't do it Morry. If you hook them up like he says you will start getting signals from outer space, and then there is that whole mind control thing. I know because it happened to a friend of mine... no wait my flux capacitor is starting to overheat. Damn it man another Hallissey Design with a fatal flaw! It must be that 10 year 20 year space time continuum thing. Or maybe it is the 6 outlet new code 12 outlet thing again.

ChrWright

Hire an electrician is the message here...

You don't sound anywhere close to having the knowledge to attempt this.

Recessed lights may seem simple but...

insulated ceiling or not? requires different housings...

mr-16 lv?, gu10? par 20?

Old house...new house...bx....romex...knob & tube?

14g ?...12g?.... breakers? fuses?

And if you decide to take the advice of these guys above...make sure you're standing in a bucket of water while you do the work so you're good and grounded...

Don't mean to pile on, but I just tore out a whole ceiling of HO installed can lights...totally FUBAR... I honestly don't know how the place didn't burn down...

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www.WrightWorks.net - Facebook - Twitter - Carmel Remodeling
Indianapolis Kitchen Remodeling Contractor - You Can Get There From Here

Teetorbilt

Go LED. Can lights are SO '90's.

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747

i say low voltage nickle trim MR 16 halogen bulb. I consider that to be a very good look.

I'm sure MD disagrees

thom

Actually, it depends on his jurisdiction.

Previously we had (a New Mexico amendment to the NEC) a limit (maximum) of 8 openings per circuit. About 3 years ago that was changed to a maximum of 10 openings per circuit. This does not apply if there are only lighting loads on the circuit.

This is a max. This does not allow the installation of things that would otherwise violate the NEC. It is a further restriction. Funny thing is, there is no differentiation between a 15A and a 20A circuit.

Celtic

Consider this:
#1 I asked WHAT code...not WHERE in the NEC.
#2 Neither The OP(Morry) or HallisseyDesign gave any indication where they are physically located.



Many, many States have amendments to the NEC.
Even some local municipalities may amend the NEC.
As a matter of FACT - not every State has even accepted the most current edition of the NEC.

Not that any of this matters:

and

HallisseyDesign has left the building

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thom

The point was/is, the 12 opening rule would be a local amendment to the NEC. That makes it code in his locale, not in yours or mine. It also does not answer the question about wiring it up. More information is needed. The best way to get the answer is to have an electrician look at it.