How to Install Soffit Pot Lights
Pot light is another term for recessed light, according to Pegasus Associates Lighting. Recessed lights are installed above the ceiling to concentrate the light downward. The trim is usually the only thing that can be seen at the ceiling opening. A soffit is the underside of an architectural feature, as in a vault. In the home, soffits can be found most commonly in bathrooms and kitchens, making them a prime candidate for the installation of pot lighting. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Remodel recessed can pot light fixture
- Keyhole saw
- 14/2 NM cable
- Dual NM wire cutter/strippers
- Red wire connectors
- Flat screwdriver
Instructions
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1
Mark the locations on your soffit where you are installing pot lights.Verify that there is enough space to accommodate your remodel pot light height. Minimum height would be 5 1/2 inches.
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2
Trace the template provided with your remodel pot lights onto the soffit and cut the hole using a keyhole saw along the trace line.
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3
Pull 14/2 (nonmetallic) NM cable from the switch location to each cut hole, leaving 10 inches of cable exposed at each hole. The first hole should contain one cable from the switch and one cable to the next hole.
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4
Remove the junction box cover on the pot light by pressing your thumb against the tab holding it on. Pull the cables into the boxes and attach the pot lights.
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5
Strip the cables at each location using dual NM cable cutter/strippers. Strip 6 inches of sheath from each NM cable to expose the interior black, white and bare-copper conductors. Strip 1/2 inch of insulation off each black and white conductor at each hole location.
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6
Connect the wiring inside the junction box. Use a red wire connector to connect the black wires from the NM cable and the black wire from the fixture junction box. Connect the white wires with a red wire connector, and connect the green wire from the pot light junction box to the bare copper wires with a red wire connector. Replace the cover on the junction box. Repeat this for each pot light to be installed in the soffit.
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7
Slip the pot lights into the holes in the soffit. Use a flat screwdriver to push each black clip in the pot light up until it clicks into the slot located in the remodel fixture that will lock the clip in place. The clips, once locked into place, secure the light fixture to the ceiling.
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