How to Daisy Chain Lights
Find out the maximum wattage your recessed light fixtures can individually consume., Determine whether the total wattage of new and existing lights will overload their shared circuit., Turn off the power to the circuit(s) for the existing fixture(s)...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Find out the maximum wattage your recessed light fixtures can individually consume.
This may differ from the wattage of the light bulb in the fixture.
If you are not sure of the fixture maximum wattage, use 100 watts per fixture as an estimate. -
Step 2: Determine whether the total wattage of new and existing lights will overload their shared circuit.
If using a dimmer switch to control your lights, for example, most of these switches can handle up to 600 watts.
If you have a total of 7 light fixtures that each consume 100 watts, then the dimmer switch could be overloaded.
To prevent overloading a circuit, you may need to upgrade the control switch to a higher wattage.
Ask a licensed, professional electrician to install the new switch for you.
You can also consider dividing the additional lights among additional circuits. , Do this by shutting off the circuit breaker(s) that sends power to the fixture(s). , If possible, lock the service panel (breaker box) to prevent someone else from turning the circuit back on while you work. , Use the manufacturer's template to do this.
Drill a 1/4-inch (0.63 cm) hole into the ceiling at the center of each new opening. , If an attic is above the ceiling, simply look for obstructions in the attic.
If a second story or other finished area is above the ceiling, poke a coat hanger through the drilled holes for any possible obstructions. ,, Extend wiring from the junction box to the first new recessed light.
Let about 18 inches (45 cm) of electrical wiring hang from the ceiling. , The extra wire will provide slack when connecting the new lights.
Run the wire from the attic if this is above the ceiling of recessed lights.
Drill through joists with a long, flexible drill bit if a finished floor is above the ceiling.
Fish the electrical wiring through the framing. , Match up black (hot) wires to each other, white (neutral) wires to each other, and ground (bare or green insulated) wires to each other. , Continue connecting matching wires to daisy chain the lights until finished. ,,, It should be connected to a junction box or electrical box along the lighting system path. , Black (hot) and white (neutral) wires are generally involved in connecting the track lights.
Make note of any connections in wiring that appears more complex or involves other colored wires besides black and white.
Sketch how a light fixture is wired.
Designate the wires by color in the sketch.
Alternatively, label wires with masking tape and a pencil to know how to reconnect them later. , Add a plastic wire connector to join the connection between the two wires. ,, In some track lighting systems, you may need to screw the black and white wires to terminals on the track connector.
Screw the black wire to a terminal that has a brass-colored screw.
Screw the white wire to a terminal with a silver screw.
If you will have multiple wires going into screw terminal connections, attach pigtail leads to the terminals.
The pigtails are short wires that connect to terminals on switches or receptacles.
Twist wire connectors onto the electrical wires to attach them to the pigtails.
Connect any ground wires, which are bare or green insulated wires, in new track lighting fixtures to any existing ground wires.
Connect the new fixture grounding wires to grounding screws in metal electrical boxes if such boxes support the fixtures. -
Step 3: Turn off the power to the circuit(s) for the existing fixture(s) you will be working on.
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Step 4: Test that the power to the circuit is off using an electrical tester.
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Step 5: Mark the location of each new fixture opening on the ceiling.
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Step 6: Check above the ceiling for any obstructions.
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Step 7: Cut holes to fit the new recessed lights in the ceiling with a drywall saw.
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Step 8: Disconnect an existing recessed light fixture from its nearby junction box.
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Step 9: Pull electrical wire to each new light fixture and leave 18 inches (45 cm) of excess wire hanging from the ceiling.
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Step 10: Connect the existing light fixture to its junction box and the wire going to the next recessed light.
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Step 11: Use wire connectors to cap wire connections.
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Step 12: Mount the recessed light cans and trim components according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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Step 13: Screw in light bulbs to the new lights.
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Step 14: Remove an existing track lighting fixture.
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Step 15: Examine the wiring behind the removed fixture.
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Step 16: Connect a black wire from an existing light to a new black wire for the next light.
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Step 17: Continue connecting the black wire from one light to the next until finished adding lights or until you reach the maximum wattage of the circuit switch.
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Step 18: Connect and join white wires from the existing light to the new lights as for the black wires.
Detailed Guide
This may differ from the wattage of the light bulb in the fixture.
If you are not sure of the fixture maximum wattage, use 100 watts per fixture as an estimate.
If using a dimmer switch to control your lights, for example, most of these switches can handle up to 600 watts.
If you have a total of 7 light fixtures that each consume 100 watts, then the dimmer switch could be overloaded.
To prevent overloading a circuit, you may need to upgrade the control switch to a higher wattage.
Ask a licensed, professional electrician to install the new switch for you.
You can also consider dividing the additional lights among additional circuits. , Do this by shutting off the circuit breaker(s) that sends power to the fixture(s). , If possible, lock the service panel (breaker box) to prevent someone else from turning the circuit back on while you work. , Use the manufacturer's template to do this.
Drill a 1/4-inch (0.63 cm) hole into the ceiling at the center of each new opening. , If an attic is above the ceiling, simply look for obstructions in the attic.
If a second story or other finished area is above the ceiling, poke a coat hanger through the drilled holes for any possible obstructions. ,, Extend wiring from the junction box to the first new recessed light.
Let about 18 inches (45 cm) of electrical wiring hang from the ceiling. , The extra wire will provide slack when connecting the new lights.
Run the wire from the attic if this is above the ceiling of recessed lights.
Drill through joists with a long, flexible drill bit if a finished floor is above the ceiling.
Fish the electrical wiring through the framing. , Match up black (hot) wires to each other, white (neutral) wires to each other, and ground (bare or green insulated) wires to each other. , Continue connecting matching wires to daisy chain the lights until finished. ,,, It should be connected to a junction box or electrical box along the lighting system path. , Black (hot) and white (neutral) wires are generally involved in connecting the track lights.
Make note of any connections in wiring that appears more complex or involves other colored wires besides black and white.
Sketch how a light fixture is wired.
Designate the wires by color in the sketch.
Alternatively, label wires with masking tape and a pencil to know how to reconnect them later. , Add a plastic wire connector to join the connection between the two wires. ,, In some track lighting systems, you may need to screw the black and white wires to terminals on the track connector.
Screw the black wire to a terminal that has a brass-colored screw.
Screw the white wire to a terminal with a silver screw.
If you will have multiple wires going into screw terminal connections, attach pigtail leads to the terminals.
The pigtails are short wires that connect to terminals on switches or receptacles.
Twist wire connectors onto the electrical wires to attach them to the pigtails.
Connect any ground wires, which are bare or green insulated wires, in new track lighting fixtures to any existing ground wires.
Connect the new fixture grounding wires to grounding screws in metal electrical boxes if such boxes support the fixtures.
About the Author
Anthony Perez
Specializes in breaking down complex cooking topics into simple steps.
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