Anyone know recessed lighting?

[.::DuD3::. 10+ year member]

im thinking about doing this project this summer. i dont have hardly any light in my room and the lights on my desk make the room really hot when i'm working on homework. the problem i see i'm going to have is i do not have an existing fixture in the ceiling for an available power source, so i guess i'd have to run all new grounds and power wires. my room is right above the attic though, so access to installation wont be a problem. anyone have any experience with this type of work? how hard is it to run new electrical?

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[regal8r 5,000+ posts]

im thinking about doing this project this summer. i dont have hardly any light in my room and the lights on my desk make the room really hot when i'm working on homework. the problem i see i'm going to have is i do not have an existing fixture in the ceiling for an available power source, so i guess i'd have to run all new grounds and power wires. my room is right above the attic though, so access to installation wont be a problem. anyone have any experience with this type of work? how hard is it to run new electrical?

not hard at all...just a mater of running wires and securing fixtures to the ceiling trusses

 

[6spdcoupe 5,000+ posts]

definately not difficult especially with access. Brackets are made for very simple installation and a run of 10/2 would be cake after a bit of drilling..

 

[.::DuD3::. 10+ year member]

i have a book on home electrical i'm reading right now, im just confused on how i'll wire everything up. i wanted to put four lights up, so i guess i could wire them all in parallel and run one wire to the breaker? i'll probably read about this later in the book. if our main breaker or fuse box is downstairs in the garage, am i going to have to run the wires ALL the way to the garage? or is there usually and box for the 2nd floor of a home which transfers everything downstairs. i thought i read something about this a couple days ago.

 

[22mountaineer 10+ year member]

Do not run 10/2 to run some extra can lights. What type of light do you have in your room right now?

-You will not have to run anything to the panel all you are going to have to do is run one wire to the switch you already have. Go to HD and get a stack switch, where two stitches fit into one space.

 

[.::DuD3::. 10+ year member]

Do not run 10/2 to run some extra can lights. What type of light do you have in your room right now?
-You will not have to run anything to the panel all you are going to have to do is run one wire to the switch you already have. Go to HD and get a stack switch, where two stitches fit into one space.

i dont have anything right now in the ceiling. no lights, no fan, nothing.

 

[22mountaineer 10+ year member]

Then how are you getting light in your room? Do you at least have a plug?

 

[.::DuD3::. 10+ year member]

Then how are you getting light in your room? Do you at least have a plug?

that was pretty much the reason i posted. i'm going to have to run all new grounds and power as stated in the original post. i just wanted to get some feedback to see how hard something like that would be.

 

[22mountaineer 10+ year member]

I am trying to help is why I asked what you had in your room? Do you have any plugs in the room?

i dont have hardly any light in my room and the lights on my desk make the room really hot when i'm working on homework.

So I am assuming you have SOME kind of power?

 

[.::DuD3::. 10+ year member]

what exactly is a plug? you dont mean outlet do you? i have lights in the room now, but they are just desk lamps.

 

[22mountaineer 10+ year member]

Yes an outlet if you have an outlet in the room then you can do it pretty easily.

You are going to need some 14/2 wire, you are also going to need a cut in single gang box and a single pole switch and plate cover. Also the remodel recessed can lights you are going to be using.

 

[.::DuD3::. 10+ year member]

wow, what in the world lol.

what is a single gang box, single pole witch, and plate cover lol. i'm taking it youre an electrician?

 

[22mountaineer 10+ year member]

Cut in single gang- a plastic box you will use for where you want your switch. It has little ears that hold the box to the sheetrock.

Single pole switch- Just a switch to control the lights

Plate- Your plate to go over your switch

14/2- Wire you are going to need to do all of this, it will have a bare ground-white-and a black wire.

Lol, yes I am. If you go to HD it will say this on the outside of the boxes. What you will do is get a plastic box and outline it in the wall above your plug and cut a hole in the sheetrock above the plug so the box can fit in it. You will run a wire from your plug to your new box and a wire from your new box the the cans you will be using.

Easiest way will probablly take your plug out of the wall (of course with the power off) and drill your a hole in the top of the box your plug is in.

You will probablly be able to stick your hand in the wall so it will be pretty easy fishing the wire down the wall to your plug.

Then you go in the attic and find out where your box you cut is and drill a hole in the studs. You will then need fish a wire down the wall through that hole and have someone waiting there to find it for you.

I am going to stop here to see if you understand what I am saying and after this I will explain more.

(I can draw it up for you in paint also if itll help)

 

[explorer2 10+ year member]

You need to find a source for power somewhere, you could get by taking it from one of your outlets but that wont be to code most likely and you dont want to overload a breaker. You need to run power to a single gang "old work" box (room for one switch/outlet) and hook up a single pole switch, preferably a dimmer. From there you need to run wire into the attic and to each of your 4 lights. This will involve cutting into the ceiling, wall, and drilling through framing. If you dont know how to properly do this or where to hook everything up I highly sugest you call an electrician.

 

[.::DuD3::. 10+ year member]

well the paint drawing would probably help lol.

i get the idea, just seeing it visually will help.