29
votes
Accepted
What is the device attached to my recessed light junction box?
It is a thermal protector for a recessed ceiling light. It will cut out the light if the temperature of the outside of the fixture exceeds the rating of the protector. All UL approved fixtures will ...
- 83.7k
27
votes
Accepted
Do new wire runs in an existing ceiling need to be stapled down?
If you are not removing more drywall than needed for the new recessed lights, then no per 334.30(B)(1) (assuming you are using NM cable). There are similar clauses for other flexible cable assemblies (...
- 5,337
25
votes
Why was this lighting fixture smoking? What do I do about it?
Running a standard 'old' transformer from a dimmer (doesn't matter whether the dimmer is LED rated or not) is almost always a bad idea. The way the AC waveform gets 'chopped up' by a dimmer causes '...
- 7,161
10
votes
Installing lights in drop ceiling - do I really need multiple contractors?
This job could be done by a skilled handyman. Or a good DIY project as suggested by another answer here. It really depends on your current skillset. If you get one of those new flat recessed light ...
- 8,595
10
votes
Installing lights in drop ceiling - do I really need multiple contractors?
I don't know about your skillset/interest, but this is a good diy project. You take down the old light. You figure out if you have enough wire to easily get to your first pot light. (If not, call an ...
- 23.1k
9
votes
How can I warm up my new LED recessed lighting
LED (and other) light bulbs are available in a variety of different color temperatures. Look at the packaging for the bulbs you bought. Are they labelled as "cool white" or "daylight" with a color ...
- 8,262
9
votes
Do new wire runs in an existing ceiling need to be stapled down?
In addition to good answers by @statuephemism and @isherwood, it's worth mentioning why you might want to staple and why in your case it probably doesn't matter.
First reason to staple is to keep ...
- 1,064
9
votes
Do new wire runs in an existing ceiling need to be stapled down?
Electricians "fish" wires through existing homes by the thousands every day without stapling. Staple if you can (every 4' in attics, within 12" of all boxes), and don't if you can't. Use some common ...
- 144k
8
votes
Accepted
How do I access the light in this recessed can?
The shroud around the bulb should just pull down and out a few inches before the tension wires lock. If it seems really solid then someone probably painted then replaced before drying and glued it ...
- 677
8
votes
How to remove old-work ceiling light fixture box attached to conduit pipes
Removing this box is not a good solution when there are rigid conduits bringing wires into this existing box. The main reason for this is that those wires would still need to terminate into an ...
- 65.7k
8
votes
How to remove old-work ceiling light fixture box attached to conduit pipes
You need to stop destroying stuff right now.
Since your project is this light, you are assuming the universe is gracious enough to have ALL the wires in these conduits be ONLY about this light. That ...
8
votes
How can I install recessed lighting where there's a joist in the way?
In the old days this would have been a big problem. But there are LED lights available now that don't require a big recessed can like old incandescent lights did. For example, this Halo light from ...
8
votes
Installing lights in drop ceiling - do I really need multiple contractors?
Makes sense but in the wrong order.
Hire the electrician first. He or she can remove the old lights and rough-in the new ones.
After that, yes it's drywall and paint. And from the looks of your ...
- 6,799
7
votes
Is 18 AWG wire with peeling outer insulation still good to use?
I rebuild real fluorescent fixtures with modern ballasts and use them as fluorescent (rather than convert to LED).
What you're looking at there is TFN or TFFN wire. Very similar to THHN wire, but in #...
7
votes
Accepted
How can I install recessed lighting where there's a joist in the way?
Could you alternate the lights on either side of the joist so they follow a zigzag pattern and avoid the joist?
If you've already done one section in a straight line and don't want to patch your ...
- 1,064
6
votes
How to remove / fix recessed light trim
Almost all recessed light trim rings are held in place by spring clips that grip the interior of the recessed can. However, some of those clips have sharp prongs to better grip the can.
You often ...
- 33.8k
6
votes
Accepted
Help identifying possible dual pot light plug
Thos MR16 GU5.3 light bulbs are 12 volt bulbs. The GU10 bulbs are 120 volt. There is little to zero chance that this is some sort of "Dual Socket". And if it were, it would still likely be ...
- 1,687
6
votes
Existing 20amp tandem breaker with 14/2 wires for basement light
Breaker is the wrong size
The core problem is #14 wire on 20A breakers - you have to address that!
Extending the circuit with #12 does not fix the problem! You must deal with the #14/20A problem.
The ...
6
votes
LED "Can" lights not working all over my house
I realize you're used to buying "light bulbs" - just as your grandfather bought "vacuum tubes" for the radio and TV. However, then transistors came along, which were a solid-state,...
5
votes
remove a recessed light can
Chances are that this fixture was installed at the time of the home's construction. It'll likely have two crossbars that were installed across the gap between the two adjacent roof trusses or floor ...
- 144k
5
votes
Accepted
Should I use remodel or new construction recessed fixtures when installing a new ceiling?
Scenario #4
I would just remove all the old drywall and use new construction fixtures. It may seem like a lot of work but all these other problems go away. Plus my "drywall guy" would throw a hissy ...
- 20.5k
5
votes
Accepted
How to organize multiple electrical wires going into an ultra thin recessed light?
Use an old work box to house the splices
There's a simple way out of this, and that's to use an old work box mounted into the ceiling drywall to house the electrical splices. A 3 gang switch box ...
- 85.1k
5
votes
Accepted
What is the technical term for this style lighting?
Indirect lighting.
example here
Usually the light source is hidden by an archtectural feature, so the feature is constructed by normal building means and then the light source is hidden in it.
At ...
- 23.2k
5
votes
How would I replace this light bulb in the pic
That whole plastic base pulls directly out. That is a compact fluorescent bulb, be careful not to breathe any powder/dust that comes out of the broken tube(s), not good for you.
- 36.3k
5
votes
Accepted
Changing the bulb in an enclosure
That looks like an integrated LED can retrofit fixture (a close match for some of mine - I see the supply converter screwed into the original can socket) and you replace the whole thing - there is no ...
- 223k
5
votes
Accepted
Can Rockwool Insulation be compressed or squished to fit through a 4'' hole and then rexpanded?
Yes, rockwool will expand after compression. I have often squeezed it into cavities through openings, and found it restores to the original size. Once pushed through it expands and you can reach in to ...
- 16k
5
votes
How can I add GFCI protection to these bathroom lights?
Lights, fans, heaters etc. in shower stalls or over tubs must be GFCI protected.
You cannot conceal a GFCI above a drop ceiling.
Your best bet is to find GFCI protected outlets which are already ...
5
votes
Accepted
How can I warm the color of cool white LED fixtures?
Often these type of lights can have the color changed simply by sliding a switch that is on a side of the driver, or sometimes inside the driver box.
You will have to remove the lights from the ...
- 37.7k
4
votes
Why do my LED lights flash on cold start?
I know this is an old thread, but I recently had this problem myself. Ended up being because of cheap bulbs. I have two of the same dimmers, one works fine, the other would flash once every time ...
- 41
4
votes
Finishing up the junction box
You need a strain relief clamp
or cable gland
(images for example, not an endorsement)
Since it's NM-B, the top one. The bottom one is for round cordage.
- 223k
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