[iceman536]

We are installing new cabinets and while the walls are accessible I would like to wire for under cabinet lighting - Xenon or preferably LED. During my research I have seen various components that are needed, namely transformers for low voltage and power supplies for direct wire.

If I use a transformer I can mount it on top of my cabinets. If I do that how do I route the wire to the cabinet bottom? Can I route low voltage wire inside the wall and have it come out of the wall below the cabinet? How do I wire multiple lights using this method? (I will have 3 "areas - 1 to the left of the window, 1 to the right, and on right of the microwave/range. Would that depend upon the transformer capacity only, that it would support 8 lights? Is this going to be similar to my low voltage landscape lighting?

For "direct wiring" can I just run Romex to the light locations and thus avoid the transformer? Or would I need a power supply in lieu of the transformer?

Thanks for any pointers.

 

[a7ecorsair]

When I wired my new house, I placed a switched receptacle above the cabinets in two locations. I have a transformer plugged into them with low voltage wiring running down the slight gap between the cabinets. The styles of the cabinets overlap the edge by 1/8" so I have a 1/4" gap. It is a code violation to run line voltage cable concealed within the cabinets.

 

[vsheetz]

When I wired my new house, I placed a switched receptacle above the cabinets in two locations. I have a transformer plugged into them with low voltage wiring running down the slight gap between the cabinets. The styles of the cabinets overlap the edge by 1/8" so I have a 1/4" gap. It is a code violation to run line voltage cable concealed within the cabinets.

I did similar - installed a switched outlet behind the cabinet over the range hood/microwave - installed transformer there and ran the low voltage wiring to lights.

 

[firehawkmph]

Last big kitchen I did, the customer wanted led lights under the cabinets, and in some of the top cabinets piggy backed on top of the wall cabinets. They had glass doorfronts. She chose the 'puckit' led lights. Since the area above the cabinets was being enclosed with crown molding, we put a switched outlet in each bank of cabinets in the upper area where they wouldn't show. I ran the low voltage wires inside a small piece of pvc conduit in the inside corner of the cabinet. I used lacquer thinner to wipe off the printing on the conduit. The inside of the cabinets were white, so it kind of blended in and protected the wiring. We even ended up putting rope lighting in the toe kicks for another accent light. Turned out pretty neat.
Mike Hawkins

 

[sparks1up]

There is nothing wrong with installing switch controlled outlets on top of the cabinet and installing your transformers in that location.

As far as wiring I recommend you run no more than one cable to each fixture and make your splice in an accessible location like on top of the cabinets. Most of the undercounter fixtures don't have room for more than one cable to enter. Some like the undercounter fluorescent fixtures you can go in and out of on opposite ends but beware, if you are planning on a dark marble or granite top the light will reflect the undersides of the cabinet and show all your wiring in the reflection.

I typically mount my fixtures as far back to the wall as possible or practical and predetermine where the knock-outs are on the fixture so I can rough my wiring so that it comes out of the wall at that location. This shows the least or no wiring under the cabinet.

 

[iceman536]

How about this? Install a dimmer switch in a two gang box using the same circuit as my overhead lighting. Run Romex up to a junction box mounted in wall above cabinets (hidden from view by crown molding), or on top of cabinet. Splice in jb to run Romex down directly to each led fixture, inside wall, to bottom of cabinet (54" from floor). No transformer would be needed.

Now all I would need is direct wire led fixtures to attach and mount. Anyone have a good source for these?

 

[sparks1up]

I have never seen line voltage LED with the driver built-in but when I googled it I found this (See link below). They link together so you may have to use less drops of wire! Not sure if you can splice in the fixture so you may have to research further. ...Good luck

http://www.amazon.com/Sylvania-Under-Counter-Linkable-Strip/dp/B000IV5PB0/ref=pd_cp_hi_1

 

[iceman536]

I have never seen line voltage LED with the driver built-in but when I googled it I found this (See link below). They link together so you may have to use less drops of wire! Not sure if you can splice in the fixture so you may have to research further. ...Good luck

http://www.amazon.com/Sylvania-Under-Counter-Linkable-Strip/dp/B000IV5PB0/ref=pd_cp_hi_1

Thanks, but the reviews on this product are poor. I found http://www.arcadianlighting.com/kch-12058-ss.html but was hoping for a, cough cough, less pricey alternative.

 

[sparks1up]

Try this link!

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Ffit.htm