Electrical wiring and recessed lights ? Am I a go on this ?

Vette73

Lifer
Jul 5, 2000
21,503
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OK I am going to install 5 recessed lights in my girlfriends bedroom (home movies are just to dark you know). 4 lights will be in a rectangle placement with the 5th one in the center. There is already a hole in the center of the ceiling for a ceiling fan and has wiring that runs to a switch on the wall. What I want to do is take that wire and daisy chain it to all the 5 lights and then have the switch turn on all the lights at once. My only concern is how do I find out if the wire has enough juice to run the 5 lights. I suspect the lights will be probable 50watts each. Also the wire should be on a standard breaker as far as I can see.
So am I a go or what do I need to do to find out. I am hoping I don?t have to run another breaker and switch.

Thanks
 

CalvinHobbes

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2004
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How big is the room? You could probably just do 2 or 3 65w lights. What about just installing a ceiling fan and a light kit. A lot less work.
 

NeoPTLD

Platinum Member
Nov 23, 2001
2,544
2
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If you give each light 1/2A (60W each), the current demand is only 2.5A. It's not a big concern. Your biggest concern is making sure the recessed lights are installed properly(i think they use fiber glass insulation to keep the attic from getting too hot) so you won't have a fire in your attic.
 

CPA

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
30,322
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Originally posted by: NeoPTLD
If you give each light 1/2A (60W each), the current demand is only 2.5A. It's not a big concern. Your biggest concern is making sure the recessed lights are installed properly(i think they use fiber glass insulation to keep the attic from getting too hot) so you won't have a fire in your attic.

I believe You can get recessed light housings that have a trip mechanism that will blow the lamp if it gets too hot.

And as Neo said you shouldn't need to worry about the load. You probably have 12 guage wire running to a 15 amp breaker. That's more than enough to handle 5 bulbs. If you're still worried, just check the wire as it will tell you the guage and then find the breaker that supplies the juice to the line to make sure you have enough.
 

Vette73

Lifer
Jul 5, 2000
21,503
9
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Originally posted by: CalvinHobbes
How big is the room? You could probably just do 2 or 3 65w lights. What about just installing a ceiling fan and a light kit. A lot less work.

Shape of room, the ceiling has a resess to it, and it is pretty big. Also girl does not like ceiling fans. Trust me I already asked about installing a 4-5 light ceiling fan... NO GO. Now that would be easy.



Originally posted by: NeoPTLD
If you give each light 1/2A (60W each), the current demand is only 2.5A. It's not a big concern. Your biggest concern is making sure the recessed lights are installed properly(i think they use fiber glass insulation to keep the attic from getting too hot) so you won't have a fire in your attic.

Yea I plan on using IC (insulation cover) rated lights. They can safely be buried by insulation. I also do not think the light will be pulling to much power, but I just wanted to se if anyone has done this and to double check myself. :)

 

Vette73

Lifer
Jul 5, 2000
21,503
9
0
bump for the late crowd to double check my thinking and any ideas I may have missed or will make it easy.
Also should have said I will be buying the "kits" and not trying to peice the lights together myself. Trying to keep this as easy and simple as I can without starting fires :)

Thanks