Installing high hats

Breakthecycle2

How hard is it. Does anyone have step by step? I have a finished basement that seriously needs a lightning upgrade. I have some spots with fluorescent tubing and simple single light bulb fixtures (like ones you would find in a lamp). Anyone have any insights on how to do this?

oh'mike

Do you have a drywall ceiling or a drop ceiling?

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Speedy Petey

Question: What is your level of experience with this sort of work?

If you need step-by-step, wire-by-wire, hand holding instructions maybe you would be better off with smaller projects or maybe doing some work with someone who can teach you.
Rarely is it as simply as just black-to-black and white-to-white.

Breakthecycle2

I should have clarified. I have never installed these type of lights before, but I have some electrical experience with wiring. I can do this, just need to pointed in the right direction.

Speedy Petey

Wiring wise, recessed light are no different than any other type of light.

oh'mike

There are two different styles of can----New construction (and drop ceiling) and remodeling (for existing drywall)

What have you got?

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Breakthecycle2

Remodeling.

oh'mike

The same question----do you have a drywall ceiling or a drop ceiling?


If you are going into a drywall ceiling---the hardest part is finding a joist pocket that isn't obstructed with pipes/ducts/bracing------

Using a stud finder,locate the joists and mark with blue tape---
Next mark the ideal locations for the cans with more blue tape----

Now you need a screw driver to poke a hole and a stiff piece of wire bend the tip over 3" long

Mark the long part to indicate the height of the can(usually 7 1/2 inches)

Poke a hole in the drywall in the center of your can location---insert the bent wire and slowly twirl the wire around as you raise it to the can height mark---

If you don't hit any thing you are good to go--cut your hole.

If you do hit something----You have to figure that out your self.---Mike---

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sirsparksalot

Just for my own information, is this what most pros do?

I have always gone into the attic to find out what's where before I cut holes.

Even when installing a ceiling fan rated box, while most internet instructions say that you can install the fan brace from below, I find it best (not easiest, of course) to go into the attic where I can insert some screws into the joists.

teamo

Just for my own information, is this what most pros do?

I have always gone into the attic to find out what's where before I cut holes.

He is putting the lights in a basement so he doesn't have the option of going into the attic. To answer your question there is no right or wrong way here only different methods. I would prefer as you do to go into the attic if it is accessible. Sometimes it is not and you have to try and map it out on the ceiling.

sirsparksalot

Yeah, I forgot about it being basement.

oh'mike

The OP is installing this in a basement--Very few basements have an attic above it.




Oops--Teamo beat me to the answer.

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Breakthecycle2

LOL, I def. don't, but being that there are already Fluorescent tubes installed, I can gain access before a patch them up and repaint.

sirsparksalot

Yep, and I beat you to your smart ass remark too

frenchelectrican

Before you install the recessed cans in basement you may have to watch out the obstable itmes like ductwork or pipes like eau { water } or Gaz or others so as one of the members suggest a good idea to use old coat hanger and drill very small hole so you can able tell where you are at.

I know will be kinda pain in butt but try to visuized the floor joints run by if you see drywall screws or otherwise use the basement flourscent luminaire that will be a way to tell which way the joints run.

Just make sure keep some flexiablity before you make large holes in case you may have to move the remodel cans one way or other.

And most floor joints typically are 8 or 10 inches deep so you will have some room to play around a little.

The trickiest part is try to run the NM cable across the floor joints either you use the flexiable drill bit or make a small pathway when you drill across the floor joints before you start that make sure you are clear of ductwork or other stuff can get in the way.

And if you use the dimmer just be aware the wattage rating of the dimmer and sized the circuit by the max wattage of the luminaire so example if the recessed can luminaire say 120 watts then multi how many you have there and not to excess the dimmer rating.

General thumb of rules of spaceing typically 2X of height of ceiling with standard trim for other type of trims that will change the spaceing requirment.

Merci,
Marc

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The answer will be based on NEC ( National Electrical code ) or CEC ( Cananda Electrical code ) or ECF ( Electrique Code France )