How to Install Commercial Recessed Lighting

To install commercial recessed lighting, you'll need to know a few basic rules of working with electricity and electrical devices. People who need task lighting and accent lighting are more likely to use recessed lighting, and if you are one of those who uses this type of lighting, refer to the information below to install your own recessed lighting.

Step 1 – Turn off Your Power

Electrical power, even for the more advanced technician, can be dangerous if care is not used. Always turn off the power when working on electrical devices. Take no chances. Identify on your circuit breaker panel the circuit that feeds power to the circuit you'll be working on, then turn off this switch.

Step 2 – Remove the Old Junction Box

You'll need to replace the old junction box with the new one from your recessed lighting kit because of the difference in the two boxes. To take out the old box, remove any screws connecting it to joists in the ceiling where you'll be installing the new recessed lighting box. If the box is nailed to a joist, you'll need to pull the box loose, using a nail puller or nail bar.

Step 3 – Cut a Hole In Your Ceiling

Use the template that comes with the new junction box to draw a circle on the ceiling. Hold the template against the ceiling drywall while you trace around the template with a pencil. This line will serve as a guide you can use to cut a piece of drywall out of the ceiling. You'll fit the new junction box into this hole. Cut out this circle with your drywall saw. Be careful to avoid cutting any power lines that might be in the ceiling.

Step 4 – Insert Your Wiring Into the New Junction Box

The recessed light housing will be connected to a junction box that comes with it. Separate them by using your thumb to press the tab holding the junction box cover in place. Remove the cover. Insert the wires from the ceiling through a knockout in the box, then connect these wires to those in the new junction box. Use the standard connection sequence, black wire to black wire, and white wire to white wire. Use wire nuts to connect them. Connect the green wire in the new junction box to the copper wire you pulled from the ceiling, also using a wire nut.

Step 5 – Insert the New Junction Box into the Ceiling Hole

Return the cover to its original position on the junction box and force the housing into the ceiling hole you created. Push it up into the hole until the housing lip hits the ceiling.

Step 6 – Fix the Housing Onto the Ceiling

You'll find 4 clips in the housing. With a screwdriver pushed into the slot of the black clip, push up on this clip until it locks into place. This will attach the housing to the ceiling. When it is in place, restore the power and test the light fixture.