Hi,

This is a tiny question but could still burn the house down. I am replacing a single ceiling lighting fixture with four recessed can lights. The wire to the old fixture looks to be a 14/2 and it's on a 15 amp breaker. There are several other things attached to this breaker but nothing major, just lights and a few outlets.

I was going to attach a metal junction box to the joist that held th ceiling light, attach the four cans and run the lines out to the new locations. The cans use 50w (what is GU10?) bulbs so it equals 200 watts. The old light fixture used two 60w bulbs but that is because the fixture was rated for that. I'm assuming that the existing 14/2 wire is enough for the four little cans?

Please advise.

 

The box needs to be permanently accessible, but other than that you are good to go. If there is insulation, you need IC rated ones.

 

Thanks for the reply. No, there is no insulation (this is Hawaii). Why does the junction box need to be permanently accessible? I was going to screw a lid on it and drywall it up.

 

It is a code violation to bury a J box. Imagine some future repair person trying to find a failed connection.

 

And then having to cut a hole in the ceiling to fix it!

If there is an accessible crawlspace, you can position it in there.

 

Okay, got it now. There is no crawl space above so I'll just leave it accessible and disguise it somewhat with paint over the box cover.

Thanks for your help! I just love busting holes in drywall!

 

You could just add the one new cable into the existing box and then run between the new fixtures.

GU10 is a bulb type. It has two prongs that slightly twist into the socket.

 

I've been thinking about this. The four cans go two each on either side of the central ceiling joist. The old light fixture was mounted in the center of the room so the box is mounted to the underside of the central joist. I was going to run two wires, one on each side of the joist, to connect the cans in series. However, that leaves the ugly old junction box sitting exposed in the middle of the ceilling. Could I just find a pretty medallion type of thing to put over it and screw it down?

 

They make decoritive covers for that purpose. They look like a ceiling light base with out the lamp holders.

Examples: Amazon.com: Arlington CP3540-1C Ceiling Box Cover Plate for 3-1/2" & 4" Boxes, Paintable: Home Improvement

Arlington CP3540-1C 3-1/2 Inch and 4 Inch Ceiling Box Cover

 

Another solution would be to turn the existing box so that it faces up into the attic. You would still need access to the junction but could patch the hole in the ceiling.

 

Many times you can also pull the old cable back to one of the new can locations, make your splice at the new can box, and then branch off to the other new cans.

 

Thank you all! I think I'm good.
Mahalo nui loa!