Common Mistakes to Avoid when Installing Commercial Recessed Lighting

Use of recessed lighting is common in both commercial and domestic spaces. The basic configuration of recessed lighting is composed of a light bulb, the trim and housing. Recessed lighting is preferred since it provides brighter lighting wherein specific spaces can be illuminated. This is also one of most economical and unobtrusive forms of lighting. People trying to install commercial recessed lighting should guard themselves against certain common mistakes associated with this kind of installation.

Commercial Recessed Lighting Installation Mistakes Include:

Ignoring Legal Guidelines

Before installing a commercial recessed lighting, it is vital to check whether any state or local building codes restrict this. Sometimes permits or licenses are required to install commercial-scale lighting resources. In some areas, homeowners are prohibited from handling commercial-scale electrical features such as commercial recessed lighting. Ignoring such guidelines can lead to heavy penalties.

Ignoring Basic Safety Precautions

Among all electrical projects, the foremost precaution is to ensure that that the main source of electrical power is switched-off. Failure to do this puts forth major risks in the form of electrical shocks. You should ensure the power being disconnected in various ways to ensure that there is no dormant or static electric current to be present in the wire.

The most common mistakes in this realm include:

• Not turning off the breaker within the electrical panel.
• Not testing the wires after the power has been turned-off.

Joist Removal Mistakes

Installing recessed lighting along ceilings that have a joist panel is a bit more demanding. Many times, the joist needs to be removed. However, while removing the joist, it is better not to uproot it. This can damage the underlying wall, resulting in extensive repairs.

You can remove a joist by simply unfastening the screws and knocking its edges with a piece of lumber. This loosens the joist without inducing any damage to the surrounding surfaces.

Ignoring Compatibility of Recessed Lighting Components

Installation of recessed lighting requires basic electrical know-how, particularly the ability to assess the suitability of various recessed lighting components. Ignoring this assessment is perhaps the most common of recessed lighting installation mistakes.

1. Using Inappropriate Wires

Some people don’t bother to test the wires with a voltage tester to ensure whether they can support the voltage needed for commercial lighting. This can cause short-circuiting.

2. Using Inappropriate Bulbs

The bulb in recessed lighting often has a higher wattage to ensure brighter lighting. However, if the wattage is exceeded beyond the recommended limit, there is a high probability of the bulb melting the outer trim of the recessed lighting housing.

3. Installing Recessed Lighting without Insulation

It is vital to decide upon the kind of lighting fixture you plan to use. This should depend upon the kind of wattage, expected from the lighting source and the proximity of nearby surfaces. Recessed lightings that have high wattage and are close to ceilings/walls should be insulated. This prevents the blackening of surrounding surfaces that happens due to the heat generated by the high-wattage bulbs.

Choosing Wrong Trims

This is a common mistake wherein the trim or the frame of the commercial recessed lighting isn't chosen with care. The frame is the external and the most visible part of recessed lighting. The wrong kind of trim can reduce the degree of illumination and its overall aesthetic appeal.

For instance, open-ring trims are considered as the most affordable (standard) trims. However, these aren’t suited for commercial recessed lighting as they provide a negligible amount of coverage around the lighting source. This can cause glare-related problems since commercial lightings use very bright, high-wattage bulbs.