A suspended ceiling is a secondary ceiling installed below the main ceiling. The most common form of a suspended ceiling consists of rails and drop-in panels. These ceilings can conceal items such as plumbing equipment and HVAC duct work. It is also possible to install light fixtures into these ceilings.
Instructions
1. Calculate how many you will need and where they are to be installed. The standard drop ceiling panels will be either 2 feet by 4 feet, or 2 feet by 2 feet. Purchase light fixtures that will match these sizes and fit smoothly into the existing framework of the ceiling. The number of fixtures needed and their location will depend on how you intend to use the area and the amount of light required for that purpose.
2. Remove the existing ceiling panels at each of the locations where a light fixture will be installed. Raise up the panel and turn it at a slight angle to allow it to be brought down through the opening. While removing the panels, examine the area to locate the nearest accessible electrical supply.
3. Install the wiring, beginning at the power supply and proceeding to each of the light fixture locations. Use three-strand wire containing a black, white and green wire. The black wire is the 'hot' wire, the white will be the neutral while the green is your ground wire. Insert these wires into a flexible conduit that you will run to each light fixture. Multiple light fixtures can be wired in a series so they will all be controlled by a single switch and circuit. On 110-volt fixtures, connect the hot and neutral wires to each fixture, concealing all wires inside the flex conduit.
4. Tie additional hanger wires at the corners of each of the openings. Tie the wires to the existing framework at each of the four corners of the opening. Extend the wires up to a secure point overhead. Use a level to make certain the frame remains level when the new wires are in place. These wires will be necessary to support the additional weight of the light fixture. Use at least four wires per fixture, although more may be installed as a safety measure.
5. Place the light fixture in the framework. Turn the fixture at a slight angle to allow it to pass through the opening. Allow it to rest on the framework, checking to be certain it is level and secure. Attach your wiring to each of the , making certain all wires are secure with no bare wires visible. Remove an adjacent panel to gain access to the light fixture.
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