How to Install Recessed Lighting

Before learning how to install a ceiling light that’s recessed, take note of several preliminary steps and considerations. The process may seem easy to complete, but it’s important to be safe when doing a DIY project, especially when electricity is involved.

• Turn the wall switch in the room to the “off” setting.
• Turn off the power to the room at the main fuse or breaker box. If you can’t turn off power for just that room, turn off the power for the entire house.
• Use a voltage tester to be sure there is no electricity flowing through the wires.

You also need to understand your existing situation and plan for the installation.

• What style of light is best for your decor and the ambience you want? Explore the different trims and how they affect the light beams.
• Is there another floor above your ceiling or is it an attic? Will you need to navigate insulation?
• Investigate the wiring situation. You’ll want to use the same kind of wiring as the current wiring, or you may need to start from scratch.
• Decide how many lights you want and how much wattage they will need. Make sure your existing or new installation can handle the load.
• Understand the existing or new circuit installation and how it will be joined to the lighting.
• Make sure you’re using the right fixtures for your planned installation, including whether you need IC-rated recessed lights.
• You may also want to look into pricing and costs for doing the installation yourself vs. hiring an electrician.
• Investigate any codes or permits that may be required for your project.
• Include safety as part of your planning. At a minimum, you’ll need equipment to protect your body and your breathing, you’ll need to know how to turn off the power and how to verify that it’s off, and you need safety plans for avoiding falls and other hazards.

Tip: If you are not comfortable working with electricity, call a licensed electrician to complete your installation
rather than learning how to install recessed lighting yourself.

Each project is different, but there are some general tools and materials you’re likely to need. Make sure to gather everything at the start, including other items specific to your project.

• Fixtures for remodel applications
• Tape measure
• Hole saw
• Drill and drill bit
• Vacuum or drill attachment to catch dust
• Breathing and eye protection
• Electrical cable
• Recessed light housings
• Wire stripper
• Wire nuts
• Recessed light trim
• Wire connectors
• Light bulbs
• Voltage tester

Whether you’re installing recessed lights in new construction or remodeling a room, first plan your light placement. Then mark the planned locations before drilling or cutting any holes.

• Use the template provided with your light kit to draw the outline for each opening.
• Use a stud finder to make sure the holes do not overlap a joist.
• Drill a 1/4-inch hole in the ceiling at the center of the planned
  opening.
• If necessary, go into the attic and make sure there are no wires, pipes or ductwork behind the planned opening.
• If the area above the ceiling is a finished space, you can insert a coat hanger or fish tape through hole to check for any obstructions.
• Cut the larger hole with a drywall saw and mark all light locations.
• Be careful not to snag any wires that may be in the ceiling cavity.

After taking the same precautions as above, use a power tool to make your cuts and save time.

• Cut the hole with a drill with a hole-cutting attachment and mark all light locations.
• Make sure you do not snag any wires that may be in the ceiling cavity.

If you have an existing light fixture that you are replacing, disconnect it before you begin the process of how to wire recessed lights.

• Run NM-B
  cable from the power source to a switch box and then to the first hole, allowing at least 18 inches of extra cable to make wiring easy.
• Run cable from the first hole to the second hole, then from the second to the third, continuing to the last recessed light location.

• Open the light’s junction box.
• Run cables into the box and clamp them.
• Use wire stripper to strip a few inches of the cable’s insulation to reveal the interior wires.
• Next use the wire stripper to remove about 1/2-inch
  of insulation from each wire.
• Connect like-colored wires using UL-approved wire connectors. Always match
  black to black, white to white and ground to ground
  (ground wires may be bare copper or have green insulation).
• Fold the wires
  carefully into the box and replace the cover.

• Most models of recessed light housing have four clips that clamp the can to the ceiling by pushing down on top of the drywall.
• Pull the clips in so they do not protrude outside the can.
• Slip the can’s box into the hole, and then push the can body up into the hole until its flange is tight to the ceiling.
• With your thumb, push each clip up and outward until it clicks and clamps the light fixture.

Most recessed light trims are mounted with coil springs or squeezable rod springs.

• If you have coil springs, hook each spring to its assigned hole inside the can.
• Pull out each spring and hook it to the trim, then carefully guide the trim into position.
• If you have rod springs, squeeze and insert both ends of each spring into their assigned holes.
• Push the trim up into position.

Once you have completed the trim, simply add the light bulbs you like. Then
turn the power back on and check to be sure the lights are working.

Safety:
Do
not exceed the total wattage of the circuit. For example, if your previous light fixture on this circuit used five 75-watt bulbs, then a safe wattage is 375 watts total (5 x 75 = 375). If you wanted to exceed this, consult a licensed electrician to determine how much of a load the circuit can accommodate.