Install Recessed Lighting in Existing Ceilings
Recessed lighting is a great addition to most homes. You can change the appearance of a room by simply changing its lighting. First, decide how you want your new lighting to be used. There are three different types of lighting to choose from. General lighting diffuses the light throughout a broad area, task lighting spotlights a specific area in a room and accent lighting focuses on one specific object, for example a painting or a sculpture.
Instructions
1. Turn off the power source. Always make sure the power is off before tampering with wires.
2. Mark the areas on the ceiling where you want to install the lights. Use a stud finder to locate the ceiling joists and position the lights between the wires are currently running.
3. Lightly trace the circle on your designated spot using the template that comes with the recessed lighting. Using a utility knife, carefully cut out the circle. It is important that the circle is very precise.
4. Locate the electrical wire and gently pull it through the hole, leaving 16 inches of extra cable. If you did not position your lights between joists where wires are running, bring in a wire by running a cable from a power source to a switch box and back through the hole.
5. Wire your lights. Remove the plate from the light's junction box and securely insert a cable into the box. Using wire nuts, strip 1 inch from the wires and clamp them to the wires in the junction box (black to black, white to white, ground to ground). Place wires into the junction box and snap on the cover.
6. Mount the light. Place it into the hole and tightly screw the fixture into place.
7. Add the trim, screw in light bulbs and turn your power source back on.
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