Wiring some new can lights

Michaelpro

I am going to install some can lights throughout the house soon. I have one light in the center of each room that is already wired up. I will be patching the existing light boxes up to run the new can lights, utilizing the wiring that is already present.

When hooking the extra lights up should I use 12/2 or 14/2 wire for running them in parallel? There will probably be no more than 3 or 4 can lights per room ran with CFLs. The current lights that are in each room take up to 3 bulbs per fixture.

jbfan

Use the size of wire that is connected to the breaker.

If you use the exsisting box as a j box, it can not be covered.

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Michaelpro

I will remove the wires and place them in a new junction box before retiring the old box. I will put a new box in the ceiling for each room.

15a use 14/2
20a use 12/2 correct?

jbfan

Correct on the wire sizes.

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AllanJ

In most cases the can lights need to be wired serpentine, i.e. in one continuous sequence, unless the cables from each light come together at a separate junction box. Usually the compartment at each can light for wires is not big enough to have one power feed come in and then continue on in more than one direction from there (three cables in all).

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Michaelpro

Hmmm I didn't think about there not being enough room in the box for two sets of wires. Guess I will have to make final adjustments when I go to buy the cans.

JeepNick

Check out Juno lighting. Its arguably better quality than what you will get at the big box store. The junction box that comes with most/all of their recessed can lights allow for up to 8 12awg conductors in the box (4 in and 4 out).

I just wired up a bunch of Juno model number IC22 and IC1 and found there was plenty of room to branch out of the box in two directions.

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Michaelpro

I got a six pack of the Juno IC34W-CP6. The box says they save energy with air loc. Is this Juno's terminology for air tight? I don't want to install anything that isn't air tight. Not with what energy costs today haha. They are IC so I can cover them with insulation, and probably expanding foam, but I rather them just be air tight to begin with.

SD515

Yes, those are the air-tight type cans.

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Kyle

Just because you can, doesn't always mean you should

Michaelpro

In love with the idea of can lights now! First of many. Just need to figure out how many and where ill set the rest in the kitchen.

Would it look strange if the lights were off center? I have seen lots of pictures of rooms with can lights and it seems a lot of the time people just place them where they want the light. To heck with the look of it all.

SD515

Usually being off center doesn’t look as goofy as not being lined up. For example, having 2 or 3 in-line, off-center creates an aisle-way effect, with the aisle being lit. The drawback is the un-lit side of center appears dim in contrast. Having rows on each side of center, lined up and equal distances from the walls gives a balanced look. Every room is different, and at times having a light not in line with the others works better for the area it needs to light up.

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Kyle

Just because you can, doesn't always mean you should

Doorman54

Here's some cans in my kitchen.

Attached Thumbnails

   

Michaelpro

I was thinking something like this

Michaelpro

All done, expect the old fixture box and patching that hole. We have a fairly small kitchen so I felt three fixtures would provide sufficient light.