How To Add Recessed Lighting To A Finished Ceiling: Easy Process Of Adding Recessed Lighting To Finished Ceiling

Easy Process Of Adding Recessed Lighting To A Finished Ceiling

If you replace the existing ceiling lights with recessed lighting, it can significantly change the lighting effects of a room. Due to the fact that the light fixture is recessed, these lights can make your room look open & large. Each recessed light canister can be shaped using a floodlight or spotlight, which is entirely dependent on the lighting needs. You can easily get rid of the single ceiling light fixture and install recessed lighting in a finished ceiling in different places around the room.

Step 1: Turn Off The Breaker Switch

First of all, you need to unplug or shut off the breaker switch for the electrical circuit to the ceiling light. Pull out the switch plate over the light switch with the help of a screwdriver before taking hold of a non-contact electrical tester in opposition to the wires on the side of the switch. If the tester's light takes place, then it indicates that there remains the power to the circuit. Unplug more breakers, or the main breaker to the house, before testing again in order to make sure that all power is off to the circuit. Replace the switch cover.

Step 2: Loosen The Mounting Nuts & Pull Down The Existing Fixture

Now, place a stepladder underneath the existing ceiling light before removing the unit's globe and light bulbs. Then detach the mounting nuts before pulling down the existing fixture. Pull out the wire nuts from the wires and set the fixture aside. Detach the mounting screws that are taking hold of the junction box in place and push the box up into the ceiling.

Step 3: Locate The Ceiling Joists Using A Stud Finder

Discover the exact place of the ceiling joists on either side of the desired locations for each of the recessed lights, with the help of a stud finder. Place, fit, or push a 1/8-inch drill bit into a power drill, before drilling a pilot hole into the ceiling for the center of each recessed light, at least six inches from any ceiling joist.

Step 4: Locate Each Of The Pilot Holes

Enter the attic above the room before locating each of the pilot holes. Pull back any insulation in order to clear the area around each location. Place a recessed light can over each of the holes, which may include the original light fixture hole, as well as draw the perimeter of the cutout around the can onto the drywall. Cut out each drywall hole with the help of a keyhole saw. Mount up the junction box using the electrical cable from the light switch onto the top of one of the ceiling joists using the mounting screws you removed in order to loosen the box earlier.

Step 5: Secure The Wiring Through The Ceiling Joists With Wire Staples

Move a length of 14/2 electrical cable betwixt the junction box and one of the recessed lights. Secure or affix the wiring through the ceiling joists with wire staples using a hammer. Cut the cable from the roll with the help of a pair of wire cutters, and feed 12 inches of one end of the cable along the drywall hole and 12 inches on the other end into the junction box. Move a separate section of cable betwixt the junction box and each additional drywall hole.

Step 6: Tighten The Wire Clamps To Secure The Wires To The Junction Box

Tighten the wire clamps in order to secure the wires to the junction box, with the help of a screwdriver. Remove the outer sheathing from each cable with the help of a utility knife. Strip 3/4-inch of insulation from each of the black as well as white wires in the junction box using a pair of wire strippers. Connect all of the black wires together with the help of a wire nut, followed by the white wires and finally the bare wires. Tuck all of the wires into the junction box before installing a junction box cover in order to protect the wiring.

Step 7: Remove The Cover Of The Wiring Compartment Of A Recessed Light

Return to the room below, and take out the cover of the wiring compartment of a recessed light. Place, fit, or push the end of one of the cables into the wire clamp of a recessed light can. Tighten the screws in order to secure the cable within the clamp, before removing the outer sheathing from the cable using a utility knife.

Step 8: Connect Black, White & Bare Wire To The Grounding Screw

Strip 1/2 inch of insulation from the tips of the wires, before connecting the tips of the black wires using a wire nut. Connect the white wires in exactly the same way, before finally connecting the bare wire to the grounding screw using a screwdriver. Push the wires into the wiring compartment before replacing the compartment cover.

Step 9: Push The Wires Up Into The Hole In The Ceiling

Push the wires up into the hole in the ceiling before sliding the recessed light can into the hole as long as the flange on the bottom edge is flush with the ceiling. Fold out the four mounting clip tabs within the can in order to make sure that they hold the can in place against the drywall.

Step 10: Turn On The Circuit Breaker & Test Recessed Lights Using The Light Switch

Place, fit, or push a flood or spotlight bulb into the receptacle inside the can. Fasten or secure the trim ring's springs to the slots in the can, before sliding the trim ring into position over the flange of the can. Install the rest of the recessed light cans exactly the same way as the first. Then turn on the circuit breaker before testing the recessed lights using the light switch.