Recessed lights provide directed lighting in kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms.
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Ceiling lights are surface-mounted.
Embedded within the ceiling drywall is an electrical box with wires.
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But on the surface of the ceiling and quite prominent is the light.
In either case, the ceiling light’s electrical box is kept live and powered.
You cannot turn off the light switch only; this is dangerous.
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You must turn off the circuit breaker.
Be sure to use anIC-rated light, which is safe to be in contact with ceiling insulation.
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Turn the light on and off at the switch to confirm that it is not powered.
If the light doesn’t come on, you’re free to proceed with the steps below.
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Use a screwdriver to remove any screws holding the housing to theelectrical box.
Carefully pull the fixture down a few inches to expose the wires.
Test each wire with a non-contactvoltage testerto confirm the power is off.
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If the tester detects any voltage, turn off the correct breaker and test the wires again.
Unless the wires are already very long or damaged in some way, don’t just cut the wires.
Doing so may leave them too short to use with the new fixture.
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Using a pencil, trace around the template to mark a cutting outline.
Cut along the outline with a drywall saw.
Be careful not to damage any wiring inside the ceiling.
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Remove the cut pieces of drywall.
The hole should be no more than 1/8 inch larger (in diameter) than the canister.
Remove the Old Box
Remove any screws securing the old electrical box to the ceiling framing.
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If the box is nailed in place, cut through the nails with ahacksaw blade.
At least 1/4-inch of the cable sheathing (outer jacket) should extend beyond the inside of the clamp.
Secure each connection with a wire connector.
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Reach inside of the canister and firmly snap the ceilingclipsdownward so they lock onto the backside of the drywall.
Install a light bulb.
ensure the light bulb does not exceed the maximum wattage rating of the fixture.
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Withenergy-efficient LEDor CFL bulbs, it’s almost impossible to exceed the rating.
Electrical Safety Foundation International.Electrical Safety Workbook.
Installation Clearance Requirement for Recessed Luminaries.International Association of Electrical Inspectors.
Energy Savings: LED Lighting.
United States Department of Energy.
