Recessed lights, also known as pot lights or inserted lights, are often used for task lighting, highlighting artwork, wall washing and general lighting. Placing a recessed light fixture in the ceiling makes the fixture less obtrusive and gives a room a more modern feel. The light trim on a recessed can changes the light intensity and the use of the fixture. Replacing a regular ceiling fixture with an inserted light requires some basic electrical knowledge.
Instructions
1. Turn off electrical power to the ceiling light by turning off the breaker in the main electrical service panel.
2. Remove the light shades from the ceiling light and the light bulbs. Loosen the screws on the ceiling light to detach it from the electrical junction box. Untwist the wire connector that connects the black wire from the ceiling light to the black wire from the house wiring. Disconnect the two white wires by untwisting the wire connector holding them together. Finish disconnecting the light fixture from the house wiring by untwisting the wire connector holding the green wire from the light fixture to the bare copper wire from the house wiring.
3. Remove the electrical box from the ceiling. If the box is attached to the ceiling joist with screws, remove the screws and remove the box. If the box is nailed to the joist, insert a piece of wood into the box and strike the wood with a hammer until the box becomes loose. Pull the box from the hole in the ceiling, taking care not to damage the electrical house wiring.
4. Center the template provided with the recessed remodel light can over the original electrical ceiling box hole. Trace around the template and use a drywall saw to carefully cut the drywall from the ceiling, enlarging the hole to fit the recessed can.
5. Open the junction box attached to the recessed remodel can by pressing on the tab and lifting the cover. Pull the existing house wiring through a knockout in the back of the recessed can's junction box.
6. Connect the black wire from the house wiring to the black wire from the recessed remodel can by twisting an orange wire connector onto both wires. Repeat this connection for the white wire from the house wiring and the white wire from the junction box. Finish the connection by twisting another orange wire connector onto the green wire from the recessed remodel can and the bare copper wire from the house wiring. Put the cover back on the recessed remodel can junction box.
7. Pull the black mounting clips into the recessed can so they do not stick outside the can, impeding insertion of the can into the ceiling. Slip the recessed can junction box and arm into the hole cut in the ceiling. Insert the recessed remodel can into the hole until the lip of the can is tight against the ceiling.
8. Place a slotted screwdriver into the black mounting clip and push each clip up and out until it clamps the inserted recessed remodel can to the ceiling.
9. Install a light bulb into the recessed can. Connect a recessed light trim to the recessed can with spring clips. Turn on the electricity to the recessed light by turning the breaker on in the main service panel.
Tags: wire from, house wiring, recessed remodel, from house, from house wiring, wire connector