Installing Recessed Lighting - How to Install Recessed Lighting

Recessed lighting operates through hidden fixtures, which is used to enhance the functionality and appearance of a room. It is an ideal option to increase the brightness in a room and also, to highlight antique crafts, paintings or other decorative items. In fact, it is an inexpensive way for home improvement without disturbing the external appearance. If you have basic knowledge about assembling light fixtures, you can consider installing recessed lighting on your own. Let's discuss in brief, how to install recessed lighting?

How to Install Recessed Lighting?

For any project venture, planning is the first step for successful implementation. Prior to installing recessed lighting fixtures, you should plan the location, spacing and style of the lighting system. In general, there are two types of recessed light fixtures, namely, down light and eyeball light. In the former case, uniform light is focused down directly, whereas swivel is used for mounting light in the latter type. Eyeball light is preferably opted for highlighting specific objects in the room.

Recessed Lighting Installation Tools

The materials and tools required for installing recessed lighting are recessed lighting fixtures, light bulbs (halogen or incandescent bulb), cable clamp, wire nuts, drywall saw, stud finder, drills, twist-on wire connectors, electrical tester, screwdrivers, pliers and wire stripper. You will also require safety gears like goggles and dusk mask in order to install recessed lighting.

Recessed Lighting Installation Instructions

You can include recessed lighting while planning for a new home or install recessed fixtures in the existing home. Based on the plan, you can purchase the appropriate recessed lighting fixtures. In any of the options, first turn off the power supply at the main circuit. You can lock the panel box, so that no one switches on the power supply while you are in the process of installing the recessed lighting. Following are some of the basic instructions for recessed lighting installation:

Positions of Recessed Lighting Fixtures
As per your planning regarding the positions of the recessed lighting fixtures, you can check for ceiling joists by using the stud finder. In case, there are any obstructions in the selected positions, you can change the layout of the fixtures. Ensure that the bulbs are spaced at regular intervals. Mark the final positions of the recessed lighting fixtures after completing the obstruction test.

Installing Recessed Lighting Fixtures
With reference to the final positions, place the the recessed lighting fixtures and mark the outlines. You can make holes by cutting carefully along the outlines with the help of a drywall saw. Ensure that the holes are of correct size, otherwise you may not be able to install the recessed lighting fixtures in very large holes.

The next step is, how to wire recessed lighting? For wiring, you can put the cable in the fixture's junction box and secure it with a cable clamp. Using the wire stripper, strip the wire as per the requirements. Carefully, connect separate wires of the existing house lines with those of the fixture wires. Once, you complete this, place the wires in the box and cover it. Follow the same wiring procedure for other recessed lighting installations.

Powering the Recessed lighting Fixtures
While connecting new bulbs to the existing power supply, make sure that the main circuit is not overloaded. To be precise, you can add as many bulbs as you wish until and unless the power of the newly installed bulbs matches the power supply of existing fixture. In case you are unsure about the additional power requirements, you can consult with a qualified electrician for the purpose.

Install the bulbs and secure them by fastening the screws. These are the simple DIY steps on how to install recessed lighting? Turn on the power supply and enjoy your home lighting systems.