How to Install a Kitchen Light

Recessed kitchen light with incandescent bulb

The first step in installing a kitchen light is to determine where to put it and how big the fixture should be. The light should be large enough and placed in a position to provide ample light for the entire room. If this cannot be accomplished with one light fixture, then more than one may have to be installed. Personnel at lighting fixture and home improvement stores can usually provide help in choosing the right fixture.

There are many types of light fixtures used in kitchens. Some use incandescent bulbs while others require fluorescent bulbs. The fixtures are either attached to the ceiling surface or recessed. Installation steps will vary based on the type of fixture and how it is mounted.

Things You'll Need

• 12-2 non-metallic sheathed cable with ground wire
• Junction box
• Sharp knife or wire stripper
• Drill and bit
• Reciprocating or keyhole saw
• No. 2 or darker black lead pencil
• Wire nuts

Instructions

Junction Box Installation

1. First, check the light fixture to see where wire connections are to be made. Some fixtures have a junction box as part of their structure and others require that a junction box be installed.

2. Using a black lead pencil, put a mark on the ceiling where the fixture will be placed. By rapping on the ceiling or using a stud finder, ensure that the mark is between ceiling joists.

3. If a junction box needs to be installed, center the face of an octagon outlet box over the mark on the ceiling. With the black lead pencil draw around the box. Using a one-half-inch bit or larger, drill a hole through the ceiling within the outline of the outlet or junction box. Then using a reciprocating or keyhole saw, cut the remainder of the hole in which the junction box will fit.

4. Attach the junction box to a hanger bar or a two-by-four cut to fit tightly between the ceiling joists. The hanger bar's length can be adjusted to fit between the joists.

5. Carry the junction box and hanger to the floor above and attach it between the ceiling joists. Position the hanger so that the face of the junction box is flush with the outside edge of the ceiling.

Connecting the Wiring

1. The national electric code requires that all electrical circuits in a kitchen be grounded. To comply with the code, use 12-2 non -metallic sheathed cable with a ground wire.

2. 

   Unless the light has an attached switch, it will need to be connected to a wall switch. Use a wall switch with a grounding screw and connect the green wire in the cable to this screw. The grounding screw will be painted green. The ground wire may be bare copper. Connect the black wire to one side of the switch and the white wire to the other side.

3. In the junction box, connect the black wire on the light fixture to the white wire from the wall switch. Using a new length of cable, connect its black wire to the black wire from the wall switch. Connect the two remaining white wires together and then connect all ground wires together. Use wire nuts to make the connections.

4. 

   Turn off all circuits in the house at the breaker box and connect the loose end of the last cable to a source of electricity. Connect black to black, white to white and all ground wires together.

Tips & Warnings

• For recessed fixtures, cut an appropriate sized hole in the ceiling and attach the light. Then connect the wiring. For surface-mounted fluorescent lights, punch out the knock-out in the center of the fixture and attach a cable clamp in the hole. Drill a hole in the ceiling where the center of the fixture will be. Hang the fixture, thread wire through the hole and secure it with the clamp. Make wire connections inside the fixture.

• Check all national and local electrical codes before starting this job. After turning off the power, make sure it is off by turning on lights and appliances.

References

• Safe Home Wiring Projects, by Rex Cauldwell