Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Couple questions about installing new recessed lights
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Bi_Polar
08-24-05, 09:03 AM
Hello all,
I started the project of replacing my existing flourescent 72 watt fixture in my kitchen with 5 or 6 (havent decided yet) 65 watt recessed lights. I will have the ceiling ripped out this weekend and am going to use new construction IC compatible lights (there is only 8" or so of clearance to the above subfloor and so I figured that using IC compatible will keep the heating of surrounding wood to a minimum).
I have, to the best of my ability, added up the watts on the existing circuit of the kitchen light/switch and I believe that I probably will need to have a new 15amp circuit installed to handle the added wattage of the 6 new canned lights.
Some questions I have are these:
1. With only 8" of clearance or so to the above subfloor does it make sense to use low-profile new construction cans? I purchased standard contractor grade 6" cans and they come close to the above ceiling but dont touch it.
Also when installing the cans, should they be flush with the bottom of the joists or raised slightly (for when the new drywall is put up)?
2. I purchased 14/3 romex wiring from my local Lowes to use to tie in the cans with the existing 14/2 romex in the existing ceiling/walls. I am assuming this will not be a problem if I simply cap off the red wire but is that the case? I don't like assuming with electricity! (I purchased 14/3 so I can use it for another project I have which is a 3-way switch project).
3. The existing ceiling fixture is currently controlled by a single switch in the kitchen. I would like to replace this switch with a double-switch. 2 of the 6 cans will be controlled with one switch (over the island), the other 4 cans will be controlled by the other switch. Knowing these 6 cans will be moved over to a new circuit (by an electrician), can someone confirm my thought process as to what is entailed with this? My thoughts are:
- Install new 15 amp breaker in the panel.
- Fish new romex wiring from panel to the existing switch in kitchen.
- Replace the single-switch junction box with a double-switch junction box.
- Re-install the 2 switches into the new junction box.
- Splice the (newly run from the panel) romex to each switch.
- Fish new romex wiring from the "new" switch to the 2 cans over the island.
- Use the existing wiring to go from the existing switch to the other 4 cans.
The above would keep all 6 new cans on the new circuit while allowing the 2 on the island to be controlled by one switch and the other 4 cans by the other switch - correct?
Thanks very much for help!
Scott
I started the project of replacing my existing flourescent 72 watt fixture in my kitchen with 5 or 6 (havent decided yet) 65 watt recessed lights. I will have the ceiling ripped out this weekend and am going to use new construction IC compatible lights (there is only 8" or so of clearance to the above subfloor and so I figured that using IC compatible will keep the heating of surrounding wood to a minimum).
I have, to the best of my ability, added up the watts on the existing circuit of the kitchen light/switch and I believe that I probably will need to have a new 15amp circuit installed to handle the added wattage of the 6 new canned lights.
Some questions I have are these:
1. With only 8" of clearance or so to the above subfloor does it make sense to use low-profile new construction cans? I purchased standard contractor grade 6" cans and they come close to the above ceiling but dont touch it.
Also when installing the cans, should they be flush with the bottom of the joists or raised slightly (for when the new drywall is put up)?
2. I purchased 14/3 romex wiring from my local Lowes to use to tie in the cans with the existing 14/2 romex in the existing ceiling/walls. I am assuming this will not be a problem if I simply cap off the red wire but is that the case? I don't like assuming with electricity! (I purchased 14/3 so I can use it for another project I have which is a 3-way switch project).
3. The existing ceiling fixture is currently controlled by a single switch in the kitchen. I would like to replace this switch with a double-switch. 2 of the 6 cans will be controlled with one switch (over the island), the other 4 cans will be controlled by the other switch. Knowing these 6 cans will be moved over to a new circuit (by an electrician), can someone confirm my thought process as to what is entailed with this? My thoughts are:
- Install new 15 amp breaker in the panel.
- Fish new romex wiring from panel to the existing switch in kitchen.
- Replace the single-switch junction box with a double-switch junction box.
- Re-install the 2 switches into the new junction box.
- Splice the (newly run from the panel) romex to each switch.
- Fish new romex wiring from the "new" switch to the 2 cans over the island.
- Use the existing wiring to go from the existing switch to the other 4 cans.
The above would keep all 6 new cans on the new circuit while allowing the 2 on the island to be controlled by one switch and the other 4 cans by the other switch - correct?
Thanks very much for help!
Scott
chris8796
08-24-05, 12:05 PM
1. read the manufacturers recommendations.
2. I dont see a problem.
3. In general this it, they're could be some minor problems. If the original switch is a switch loop and the old fixture feeds power to something else. If you having an electrician do this, why don't you ask him to clarify any concerns you have?
good luck
2. I dont see a problem.
3. In general this it, they're could be some minor problems. If the original switch is a switch loop and the old fixture feeds power to something else. If you having an electrician do this, why don't you ask him to clarify any concerns you have?
good luck