LIGHTINGPROJECTSCurrentwith2011-2013ElectricalCodes

ContentsLightingProjects

CeilingLightsRecessedCeilingLightsTrackLightsUndercabinetLightsVanityLightsLow-voltageCableLightsLandscapeLightsMotion-SensingFloodlights

LightingProjects

CeilingLights

Ceilingfixturesdon’thaveanymovingpartsandtheirwiringisverysimple,so,otherthanchangingbulbs,you’relikelytogetdecadesoftrouble-freeservicefromafixture.Thissoundslikeagoodthing,butitalsomeansthatthefixtureprobablywon’tfailandgiveyouanexcusetoupdatearoom’slookwithanewone.Fortunately,youdon’tneedanexcuse.Upgradingafixtureiseasyandcanmakeadramaticimpactonaroom.Youcansubstantiallyincreasethelightinaroombyreplacingaglobe-stylefixturebyonewithseparatespotlights,oryoucansimplyinstallanewfixturethatmatchestheroom’sdécor.

Tools&Materials

ReplacementlightfixtureWirestripperVoltagesensorInsulatedscrewdriversWireconnectorsEyeprotection

Installinganewceilingfixturecanprovidemorelighttoaspace,nottomentionanaestheticlift.It’soneoftheeasiestupgradesyoucando.

Nomatterwhataceilinglightfixturelookslikeontheoutside,theyallattachinbasicallythesameway.Anelectricalboxintheceilingisfittedwithamountingstrap,whichholdsthefixtureinplace.Thebarewirefromtheceilingtypicallyconnectstothemountingstrap.Thetwowirescomingfromthefixtureconnecttotheblackandthewhitewiresfromtheceiling.

Ifthenewfixtureismuchheavierthantheoriginalfixture,itwillrequireadditionalbracingintheceilingtosupporttheelectricalboxandthefixture.Themanufacturer’sinstructionsshouldspecifythesizeandtypeofbox.Iftheceilingisfinishedandthereisnoaccessfromabove,youcanremovetheoldboxanduseanadjustableremodelingbraceappropriateforyourfixture(shown).Thebracefitsintoasmallholeintheceiling(inset).Oncethebracingisinplace,installanewelectricalboxspecifiedforthenewfixture.

Inexpensivelightfixtureshavescrewterminalsmounteddirectlytothebacksideofthefixtureplate.Often,asseenhere,theyhavenogroundingterminal.Somecodesdonotallowthistypeoffixture,butevenifyourhometowndoesapprovethem,itisagoodideatoreplacethemwithabetterquality,saferfixturethatisUL-approved.

HowtoReplaceaCeilingLight

Shutoffpowertotheceilinglightandremovetheshadeordiffuser.Loosenthemountingscrewsandcarefullylowerthefixture,supportingitasyouwork(donotletlightfixtureshangbytheirelectricalwiresalone).Testwithavoltagesensortomakesurenopowerisreachingtheconnections.

Removethetwistconnectorsfromthefixturewiresorunscrewthescrewterminalsandremovethewhiteneutralwireandtheblackleadwire(inset).

Beforeyouinstallthenewfixture,checktheendsofthewirescomingfromtheceilingelectricalbox.Theyshouldbecleanandfreeofnicksorscorchmarks.Ifthey’redirtyorworn,clipoffthestrippedportionwithyourcombinationtool.Thenstripawayabout3/4"ofinsulationfromtheendofeachwire.

Attachamountingstraptotheceilingfixtureboxifthereisnotonealreadypresent.Yournewlightmaycomeequippedwithastrap,otherwiseyoucanfindoneforpurchaseatanyhardwarestore.

Liftthenewfixtureuptotheceiling(youmaywantahelperforthis)andattachthebarecoppergroundwirefromthepowersupplycabletothegroundingscreworcliponthemountingstrap.Alsoattachthegroundwirefromthefixturetothescreworclip.

Withthefixturesupportedbyaladderorahelper,jointhewhitewireleadandthewhitefixturewirewithawireconnector(oftensuppliedwiththefixture).

Connecttheblackpowersupplywiretotheblackfixturewirewithawireconnector.

Positionthenewfixturemountingplateovertheboxsothemountingscrewholesalign.Drivethescrewsuntilthefixtureissecureagainsttheceiling.Note:Somefixturesaresupportedbyathreadedrodornippleinthecenterthatscrewsintoafemalethreadedopeninginthemountingstrap(inset).

RecessedCeilingLights

Recessedlightsareversatilefixturessuitedforavarietyofsituations.Fixturesratedforoutdoorusecanalsobeinstalledinroofsoffitsandoverhangsforaccentandsecuritylighting.Recessedfixturescanalsobeinstalledovershowersortubs.Besuretousefixturecansandtrimsratedforbathroomuse.

Therearerecessedlightingcansinallshapesandsizesforalmosteverytypeofceilingorcabinet.Cansaresoldforunfinishedceilings(newconstruction)orforfinishedceilings(retrofitinstallation).Cansarealsoratedasinsulationcompatibleorforuninsulatedceilings.Besuretousethecorrectoneforyourceilingtopreventcreatingafirehazard.

Choosethepropertypeofrecessedlightfixtureforyourproject.Therearetwotypesoffixtures:thoseratedforinstallationwithininsulation(left),andthosewhichmustbekeptatleast3"frominsulation(right).Self-containedthermalswitchesshutoffpoweriftheunitgetstoohotforitsrating.Arecessedlightfixturemustbeinstalledatleast1/2"fromcombustiblematerials.

Tools&Materials

Recessed-lightingcanfornewconstructionorremodelingandtrim

CircuittesterCableripperCombinationtoolPliersFishtapeHacksawDrywallsawNMcableWorkglovesEyeprotection

Recessedceilinglightsoftenareinstalledinseriestoprovideexactingcontrolovertheamountanddirectionoflight.Spacingthecanistersineveryotherceilingjoistbayisacommonpractice.

RecessedMaterials

Recessedceilinglighthousingscomeinmanysizesandstylesforvariouspurposesandbudgets.Somearesoldwithtrimkits(below)included.Somecommontypesare:newconstructionrecessedhousing(soldineconomicalmultipacks)(A);airtightrecessedhousings(forheatedroomsbelowunheatedceilings)(B);shallowrecessedhousings(forroomswith2×6"ceilingjoists)(C);smallaperturerecessedhousing(D);recessedslopeceilinghousing(forvaultedceilings)(E).

Trimkitsforrecessedceilinglightsmaybesoldseparately.Commontypesinclude:recessedopentrim(E);baffletrim(C);recessedopentrimwithbaffle(A,F);recessedeyeballtrim(B);showerlighttrim(D);airtightrecessedtrim(E).

HowtoInstallRecessedCeilingLights

Markthelocationforthelightcanister.Ifyouareinstallingmultiplelights,measureoutfromthewallatthestartandendoftherun,andconnectthemwithachalklinesnappedparalleltothewall.Iftheceilingisfinishedwithasurface(wallboard),seenextpage.

Installthehousingfortherecessedfixture.Housingsfornewconstruction(orremodelinginstallationswheretheinstallationareaisfullyaccessiblefromeitheraboveorbelow)haveintegralhangerbarsthatyouattachtotheeachjoistinthejoistbay.

Runelectriccablefromtheswitchtoeachcanisterlocation.Multiplelightsaregenerallyinstalledinseriessothereisnoneedtomakepigtailconnectionsintheindividualboxes.Makesuretoleaveenoughextracableateachlocationtofeedthewireintothehousingandmaketheconnection.

Runthefeedercablesintotheelectricalboxesattachedtothecanisterhousings.You’llneedtoremoveknockoutsfirstandmakesuretosecurethecablewithawirestaplewithin8"oftheentrypointtothebox.

Connectthefeederwirestothefixturewiresinsidethejunctionbox.Twistthehotleadtogetherwiththeblackfixturewire,aswellastheblackleadtootherfixturesfurtherdownline.Alsoconnecttheneutralwhitewires.Jointhegroundwiresandpigtailthemtothegroundingscreworclipinthebox.Finishtheceiling,asdesired.

Attachyourtrimkitofchoice.Normally,thesearehungwithtorsionspringclipsfromnotchesorhooksinsidethecanister.Thisshouldbedoneaftertheceilingisinstalledandfinishedfornewconstructionprojects.Withcertaintypesoftrimkits,suchaseyeballtrim,you’llneedtoinstallthelightbulbbeforethetrimkit.

HowtoConnectaRecessedFixtureCaninaFinishedCeiling

Maketheholeforthecan.Mostfixtureswillincludeatemplateforsizingthehole.Fish14/2cablefromtheswitchlocationtothehole.Pullabout16"ofcableoutoftheholeformakingtheconnection.

Removeaknockoutfromtheelectricalboxattachedtothecan.Threadthecableintothebox;secureitwithacableclamp.Removesheathinginsulation.Connecttheblackfixturewiretotheblackcircuitwire,thewhitefixturewiretothewhitecircuitwire,andthenconnectthegroundwiretothegroundingscreworgroundingwireattachedtothebox.

Retrofitcanssecurethemselvesintheholewithspring-loadedclips.Installthe

canintheceilingbydepressingthemountingclipssothecanwillfitintothehole.Insertthecansothatitsedgeistighttotheceiling.Pushthemountingclipsbackoutsotheygripthedrywallandholdthefixtureinplace.Installthetrimpiece.

TrackLights

Tracklightingoffersabeautifulandfunctionalwaytoincreasetheamountoflightinaroomorsimplytoupdateitslook.Avarietyoffixtureandlampoptionsletsyoucontroltheshape,color,andintensityofthelight.Installingtracklightinginplaceofanexistingceiling-mountedlightfixtureinvolvesbasicwiringandhand-toolskills,buttheconnectionsareeveneasiertomakethanwithtraditionallightfixtures.Onceinstalled,thesystemisveryeasytoupgradeorexpandinthefuture.

Tools&Materials

Drill/driverandbitsWirestripperScrewdriverVoltagesensorToggleboltsTracklightheadsPrewiredtrackandfittingsWireconnectorCeilingboxEyeprotection

Ifyoucurrentlyhaveaceiling-mountedlightfixturethatisnotmeetingyourlightingneeds,it’ssimpletoreplaceitwithatrack-lightingfixture.Withtracklightingyoucaneasilychangethetypeandnumberoflights,theirpositiononthetrack,andthedirectiontheyaim.Thesefixturescomeinmanydifferentstyles,includingshort3-ft.tracksystemswithjustoneortwolightsupto12-ft.systemswithfiveormorelights.

HowtoInstallTrackLighting

Disconnecttheoldceilinglightfixture(forremodelingprojects)aftershuttingoffpowertothecircuitatthemainservicepanel.Theglobeordiffuserandthelampsshouldberemovedbeforethefixturemountingmechanismisdetached.

Testthefixturewireswithavoltagesensortomakesurethecircuitisdead.Supportthefixturefrombelowwhileyouwork—neverallowalightfixturetohangbyitselectricalwiresalone.Removethewireconnectorsandpullthewiresapart.Removetheoldlightfixture.

Attachthemountingstrapforthenewtracklighttotheoldceilingbox.Ifthemountingstraphasaholeinthecenter,threadthecircuitwiresthroughtheholebeforescrewingthestraptothebox.Thegreenorbarecoppergroundfromthecircuitshouldbeattachedtothegroundingscreworcliponthestraporbox.

Cutthetracksectiontolength,ifnecessary,usingahacksaw.Deburrthecutendwithametalfile.Ifyouareinstallingmultiplesectionsoftrack,assemblethesectionswiththecorrectconnectorfittings(soldseparatelyfromyourkit).YoucanalsopurchaseT-fittingsorL-fittings(insetphoto)ifyouwishtoinstalltracksineitheroftheseconfigurations.

Positionthetracksectioninthemountingsaddleonthemountingstrapandholdittemporarilyinplaceinthelocationwhereitwillbeinstalled.Thetracksectionwillhavepredrilledmountingholesintheback.Drawamarkingpointontheceilingateachoftheselocations.Ifyourtrackdoesnothavepredrilledmountingholes,removeitanddrilla3/16"holeinthebackevery16".

Inserttheboltfromatoggleboltormollyboltintoeachpredrilledscrewlocationandtwistthetoggleormollybackontothefreeend.Thesetypesofhardwarehavegreaterholdingpowerthananchorsleeves.Drilla5/8"dia.accessholeintheceilingateachofthemountingholelocationsyoumarkedontheceilinginstep5.

Insertthetoggleormollyintotheaccessholefarenoughsoitclearsthetopoftheholeandthewingssnapoutward.Thentighteneachboltsothetrackissnugagainsttheceiling.Ifthemountingholehappenstofalloveraceilingjoint,simplydriveawallboardscrewatthatholelocation.

Hookupwiresfromthetrack’spowersupplyfittingtothecircuitwires.Connectblacktoblackandwhitetowhite.Thegroundingwirefromthepowersupplyfittingcaneitherbepigtailedtothecircuitgroundwireandconnectedtothegroundingscreworclip,oritcanbetwistedtogetherwiththecircuitgroundingwireatthegroundingterminal.Snapthefittingintothetrackifyouhavenotalreadydoneso.

Attachtheprotectivecoverthatcamewithyourkittoconcealtheceilingboxandtheelectricalconnections.Somecoverssimplysnapinplace,othersrequireamountingscrew.

Captheopenendsofthetrackwithadeadendcapfitting.Thesealsomayrequireamountingscrew.Leavingtrackendsopenisasafetyviolation.

Insertthelightheadsintothetrackbyslippingthestemintothetrackslotandthentwistingitsotheelectricalcontactpointsontheheadpressagainsttheelectrifiedinnerrailsofthetrackslot.Tuglightlyontheheadtomakesureitissecurebeforereleasingit.

Arrangethetracklightheadssotheirlightfallsinthemanneryouchoose,andthendepressthelockingtaboneachfixturetosecureitinposition.Restorepowerandtestthelights.

UndercabinetLights

Hardwiredundercabinetlightsilluminatethekitchencountertopandsinkareasthatfallintheshadowofceilinglights.Mostoftheselightfixtures,whichareoftencalledstriplights,utilizefluorescent,halogen,orxenonbulbsthatemitverylowlevelsofheatandarethereforeveryefficient.

Ifyouaredoingakitchenremodelwithall-newcabinets,runthenewlightcircuitwiringbeforethecabinetsareinstalled.Foraretrofit,you’llneedtofindanavailablepowersourcetotieinto.Optionsforthisdonotincludethededicated20-ampsmall-appliancecircuitsthatarerequiredinkitchens.Thebestbetistorunnewcircuitwirefromaclose-byceilinglightswitchbox,butthiswillmeancuttingintothewallstoruncable.Anotheroptionistolocateareceptaclethat’sontheoppositesideofasharedwall,preferablynexttoalocationwhereabasecabinetisinstalledinthekitchen.Bycuttinganaccessholeinthecabinetbackyoucantieintothereceptacleboxandruncablethroughthewallbehindthecabinets,uptotheuppercabinetlocation,andoutthewalltosupplythefixturethat’smountedtotheundersideoftheuppercabinet.

Youcanpurchaseundercabinetlightsthatarecontrolledbyawallswitch,butmostproductshaveanintegralon/offbuttonsoyoucancontrollightsindividually.

Tools&Materials

CircuittesterUtilityknifeWallboardsawHammerScrewdriverDrillandholesawJigsawWirestripperUndercabinetlightingkit14/2NMcableWireconnectorsSwitchboxSwitchEyeprotectionHardboardpaneladhesive

Undercabinetlightsprovidedirectedtasklightingthatbringsinksandcountertopworksurfacesoutfromtheshadows.Hardwiredlightsmaybecontrolledeitherbyawallswitchoranonboardon/offswitchlocatedonthefixture.Note:Donotsupplypowerforlightsfromsmall-appliancecircuit.

HowtoInstallaHardwiredUndercabinetLight

Lookintheadjoiningroomforausablepowersourceintheformofareceptaclethathasaboxlocatedinthewallbehindyourbasecabinets.Unlikethesmall-appliancecircuitwithoutletsinyourbacksplasharea,thesetypicallyarenotdedicatedcircuits(whichcan’tbeexpanded).Makesurethatthereceptacle’scircuithasenoughcapacitytosupportanotherload.Shutthepowertothereceptacleoffatthemainservicepanelandtestforpower.

Cutaholeinthebasecabinetbackpaneltogetaccesstothewallbehinditinroughlytheareawhereyouknowthenext-doorreceptacletobe.Useakeyholesawordrywallsawandmakeveryshallowcutsuntilyouhavepositivelyidentifiedthelocationsoftheelectricalboxandcables.Thenfinishthecutswithajigsaw.

Drillanaccessholeintothekitchenwallforthecablethatwillfeedtheundercabinetlight.A1/2"dia.holeshouldbeabouttherightsizeifyouareusing12-ga.or14-ga.sheathedNMcable.

Cutasmallaccesshole(4×4"orso)inthebackpanelofthebasecabinetdirectlybelowtheundercabinetlightlocation.

Feedcableintotheaccessholeatthelightlocationuntiltheendreachestheaccessholebelow.Don’tcutthecableyet.Reachintotheaccessholeandfeelaroundforthefreecableendandthenpullitoutthroughtheaccessholeonceyou’vefoundit.Cutthecable,makingsuretoleaveplentyofextraonbothends.

Stringthecableintoapieceofflexibleconduitthat’slongenoughtoreachbetweenthetwoaccessholesinthebasecabinets.Attachaconnectortoeachendoftheconduittoprotectthecablesheathingfromthesharpedgesofthecutmetal.Tip:Tomakepatchingthecabinetbackeasier,drillanewaccessholeforthecablenearthesquareaccesshole.

Hangtheconduitwithhangerstrapsattachedtothebasecabinetframeorbackpanel,drillingholesinthesidewallsofthecabinetwherenecessarytothreadtheconduitthrough.Onbackpanels,usesmallscrewstohangthestrapsinsteadofbradsornails.Supporttheconduitnearboththeentranceandtheexitholes(theconduitshouldextendpastthebackpanelsbyacoupleofinches).

Variation:Ifyouareinstallingmorethanoneundercabinetlight,runcabledownfromeachinstallationpointasyoudidforthefirstlight.Mountanelectricaljunctionboxtothecabinetbacknearthereceptacleprovidingthepower.Runthepowercablesfromeachlightthroughflexibleconduitandmakeconnectionsinsidethejunctionbox.Besuretoattachthejunctionboxcoveroncetheconnectionsaremade.

Removethereceptaclefromtheboxyouaretyingintoandinsertthenewcircuitcableintooneoftheknockoutsusingacableclamp.Checkawirecapacitychart(seepage28)tomakesuretheboxisbigenoughforthenewconductors.Replaceitwithalargerboxifnecessary.Reinstallthereceptacleoncetheconnectionsaremade.

Installtheundercabinetlight.Somemodelshavearemovablediffuserthatallowsaccesstothefixturewires,andtheseshouldbescrewedtotheuppercabinetpriortomakingyourwiringhookups.Othermodelsneedtobeconnectedtothecircuitwiresbeforeinstallation.Checkyourmanufacturer’sinstallations.

Connectwiresinsidethelightfixtureaccordingtothelightmanufacturer’sdirections.Makesuretheincomingcableisstapledjustbeforeitentersthelightboxandthatacableclampisusedattheknockoutintheboxtoprotectthecable.Restorepowerandtestthelight.

Cutpatchesofhardboardandfitthemovertheaccessholes,overlappingtheedgesofthecutouts.Adherethemtothecabinetbackswithpaneladhesive.

VanityLights

Manybathroomshaveasinglefixturepositionedabovethevanity,butalightsourceinthispositioncastsshadowsonthefaceandmakesgroomingmoredifficult.Lightfixturesoneithersideofthemirrorisabetterarrangement.

Foraremodel,markthemirrorlocation,runcable,andpositionboxesbeforedrywallinstallation.Youcanalsoretrofitbyinstallingnewboxesanddrawingpowerfromtheexistingfixture.

Thelightsourcesshouldbeateyelevel;66"istypical.Thesizeofyourmirroranditslocationonthewallmayaffecthowfarapartyoucanplacethesconces,but36to40"apartisagoodguideline.

Tools&Materials

DrywallsawDrillCombinationtoolCircuittesterScrewdriversHammerElectricalboxesandbracesVanitylightfixturesNMcableWireconnectorsEyeprotection

Vanitylightsonthesidesofthemirrorprovidegoodlighting.

HowtoReplaceVanityLightsinaFinishedBathroom

Turnoffthepowerattheservicepanel.Removetheoldfixturefromthewallandtesttomakesurethatthepowerisoff.Thenremoveastripofdrywallfromaroundtheoldfixturetothefirststudsbeyondtheapproximatelocationofthenewfixtures.Maketheopeninglargeenoughthatyouhaveroomtoroutecablefromtheexistingfixturetotheboxes.

Markthelocationforthefixturesandinstallnewboxes.Installtheboxesabout66"abovethefloorand18to20"fromthecenterlineofthemirror(themountingbaseofsomefixturesisaboveorbelowthebulb,soadjusttheheightofthebracingaccordingly).Ifthecorrectlocationisonornexttoastud,youcanattachtheboxdirectlytothestud,otherwiseyou’llneedtoinstallblockingoruseboxeswithadjustablebraces(shown).

Openthesideknockoutsontheelectricalboxabovethevanity.Thendrill5/8"holesinthecentersofanystudsbetweentheoldfixtureandthenewones.RuntwoNMcablesfromthenewboxesforthefixturestotheboxabovethevanity.Protectthecablewithmetalprotectorplates.Securethecableswithcableclamps,leaving11"ofextracableformakingtheconnectiontothenewfixtures.Removesheathingandstripinsulationfromtheendsofthewires.

Connectthewhitewiresfromthenewcablestothewhitewirefromtheoldcable,andconnecttheblackwiresfromthenewcablestotheblackwirefromtheoldcable.Connectthegroundwires.Coverallopenboxesandthenreplacethedrywall,leavingopeningsforthefixtureandtheoldbox.(Covertheoldboxwithasolidjunctionboxcoverplate.)

Installthefixturemountingbracesontheboxes.Attachthefixturesbyconnectingtheblackcircuitwiretotheblackfixturewire,andconnectingthewhitecircuitwiretothewhitefixturewire.Connectthegroundwires.Positioneachfixtureovereachbox,andattachwiththemountingscrews.Restorepowerandtestthecircuit.

Low-voltageCableLights

Thisuniquefixturesystemisamainstayofretailandcommerciallightingandisnowbecomingcommoninhomes.Low-voltagecablesystemsusetwoparallelcablestosuspendandprovideelectricitytofixturesmountedanywhereonthecables.A12-volttransformerfeedslow-voltagepowertothecables.

Thesystem’seaseofinstallation,flexibility,andthewidevarietyofindividuallightsavailablemakeitperfectforallkindsofspaces.Low-voltagecablelightsystemsareidealforretrofitsandforsituationswheresurface-mountedtrackisundesirableorimpossibletoinstall.

Tools&Materials

CombinationtoolScrewdriverDrillFishtapeSwitchLow-voltagecablelightkitElectricalboxesNMcableLevelEyeprotection

Low-voltageCableLightingKit

Low-voltagecablelightsarelowprofileandeasytoinstall,buttheyprovideasurprisingamountoflight.

HowtoInstallLow-voltageCableLighting

CableLightKits

Low-voltagecablelightstypicallyaresoldinkitsthatcontainthehanginglights,thelow-voltagecable,andadecorativetransformerthatcanbeceilingmountedorwallmounted.

Layoutlocationsforthescreweyesthatareusedtosuspendthecables,whichshouldbeinaparallelline.Thepathshouldleadthecableswithinafootoftheexistingceilingfixtureboxthatyouareusingtoprovidepower.

Installwallanchorsattheappointedlocationsforthescreweyesthatwillsuspendthecables.Plasticsleeveanchorsareadequateinmostcases.Drivetheanchorsintoguideholeswithahammer.

Twistthescreweyesintothewallanchorsleeves,takingcaretomakesuretheyaredriveninequalamountsandarenotoverdriven.Installasetofscreweyesthesamedistanceapartoneachfacingwallintheinstallationarea.Cuttwopiecesoflow-voltagecabletospanbetweenscreweyesonfacingwalls.Recommendationsmayvary—fortheprojectshownherethecableiscut12"shorterthanthedistancebetweenthescreweyes.

Usethecrimpinghardwareinyourkittoformsmallloopsattheendsofeachcable.Sliptheloopsoverthescreweyesononeend,andattachthemtoturnbucklesattheoppositeends.Slidetheturnbucklesoverthescreweyesandtightenthemuntilthecablesaretaut.

Attachthetransformercrossbartotheelectricalboxcontainingthecircuitleads.Shutoffthepoweratthemainservicepanelandtestforpower,thenremovetheoldfixtureifyouhavenotalreadydoneso.

Makewiringconnectionsforthetransformerinsidetheelectricalbox.Makesurethetransformerissupportedwhileyoujointhewires.Besuretoattachthegroundingwirestothegroundingscreworclipinthebox.

Mountthetransformerontotheelectricalboxaccordingtothemanufacturer’sinstructions.Themodelshownherehasaseparatechromecoverthatissecuredwithasetscrewafterthetransformerismountedtothecrossbar.

Threadshortlengthsofcableintotheopeningsonthescrewterminalsonthetransformer.Tightenthescrewsuntilthepointedprobeineachterminalpiercesthecablesheathingandmakescontactwiththewireinside.Dothesamewiththeotherendsofthejumpercablesusingtheprovidedconnectorhardware.

Wall-mountIt

Installthetransformerinawalllocationifthereisamoreconvenientpowersourceorifyousimplyprefertheappearanceofthewalllocation.

Hangthelightfixtureholdersfromthecables,tighteningthescrewsinthehangerendsuntiltheirprobespiercethecablesheathingandmakecontact.It’sagoodideatohangallofthefixturesandarrangethemtoyourlikingbeforeyoubegintighteningthescrewsandpiercingthesheathing.

Insertthespeciallow-voltagebulbsintothefixtureholdersandsecurethemasinstructed(here,wearetighteningasetscrew).Turnonthepowerandtestthelights,adjustingtheanglesanddirectionsofthebulbs.

LandscapeLights

Somelandscapelightingmanufacturerspitchtheirsystemsassecurityproducts.Ifyoukeeptheoutsideofyourhousewelllit,thereasoninggoes,thethieveswillturnelsewheretofindeasierpickings.It’spossiblethatthecompaniesarerightaboutthis.Butprobablythestrongerargumentsareforimprovedsafetyandappearance.

Itcan’tbesurprisingthataddingsomelighttothedarkmakesgoingplacessafer.Thisideahasbeenaroundforalongtime—averylongtime.Butthenotionthatyoucanimprovethelookofyourhousebyaddingsomenightlightsismorerecent.Infact,decoratingwithexteriorlightsbecamewidespreadonlyinthelast25years,whenlow-voltagelandscapelightingshowedup.

Low-voltagelightsarepoweredbyatransformerthatsteps120-voltcurrentdowntoasafe12volts.Choosingthelocationforthetransformerisanimportantpartofplanning.Youhavetwooptions:insidethehouseandoutsidethehouse.Theoutsideinstallationisalittleeasier,buttheinsideoneisalittlebetter,especiallyfromasecuritystandpoint.Alsotakesometimetoreviewyourlightplacement.Onceyouarehappywiththeplan,driveasmallstakewhereyouwanteachlighttogo.

Tools&Materials

Drill/driver&bitsHammerScrewdriversHacksawSpadeLow-voltagefixtureWiresTransformerStakesHacksawEyeprotection

Low-voltagelightsaresafetoinstallandusetobeautifyyouroutdoorspaces.

Unlikesolarlandscapelights,theyarepoweredbygoodoldreliableelectricity,sotheyreallycanstayonallnightifyouwishthemto.

PartsofaLandscapeLightSystem

Landscapelightingcanbeorderedinkitformorasindividualpieces.Kitsincludeafewlightheads,somewire,andatransformerthatchangesstandardhousecurrentintolow-voltagepower.Ifyouwanthalfadozenlightsalongthefrontwalk,forexample,thenthekitisagoodidea.It’scheaper,veryeasytoinstall,andwilllastalongtimeunlessthelightsgetrunoverbyalawnmower.

Typicallow-voltageoutdoorlightingsystemsconsistof:lenscap(A),lenscapposts(B),upperreflector(C),lens(D),base/stake/cableconnectorassembly

(containslowerreflector)(E),low-voltagecable(F),lenshood(G),7-watt12-voltbulbs(H),cableconnectorcaps(I),controlboxcontainingtransformerandtimer(J),andlightsensor(K).

HowToModifyLandscapeLightsforDeckInstallation

Specialtylightscancostalotmorethanthestandardplasticspike-baselamps.Becauseofthis,manypeoplemodifythecheaperunitstoserveotherpurposes.Todothis,firstcutoffthespike-basewithahacksaw.

Toinstallamodifiedlightonadeck,boreawire-clearanceholethroughadeckboard.Thenfeedthelow-voltagewirethroughthisholeandattachthebasetothedeckwithscrews.Thesametechniquecanbeusedtoinstallmodifiedunitsonplantersorrailings.

HowtoInstallLow-VoltageLandscapeLights

Installthetransformers.Inagarage,mountoneonawallwithin24"ofaGFCIreceptacleandatleast12"offthefloor.Onanoutdoorreceptacleonawallorapost,mountthetransformeronthesamepostoranadjacentpostatleast12"offthegroundandnotmorethan24"fromthereceptacle.

Drillaholethroughthewallorrimjoistforthelow-voltagecableandanysensorstopassthrough.Ifacircuitbeginsinahigh-trafficarea,protectthecablebyrunningitthroughashortpieceofPVCpipeorconduit,andthenintotheshallowtrench.

Attachtheendofthelow-voltagewiretotheterminalsonthetransformer.Makesurethatbothstrandsofwireareheldtightlybytheirterminalscrews.

TransformersusuallyhaveasimplemechanismthatallowsyoutosettimesforthelightstocomeONandgoOFFautomatically.Setthesetimesbeforehangingthetransformer.

Manylow-voltagelightfixturesaremodular,consistingofaspikedbase,arisertube,andalamp.Ontheseunits,feedthewiresandthewireconnectorfromthelightsectiondownthroughtherisertubeandintothebase.

Takeaparttheconnectorboxandinserttheendsofthefixturewireandthelow-voltagelandscapecableintoit.Puncturethewireendswiththeconnectorboxleads.Reassembletheconnectorbox.

Feedthewireconnectorbackintothelightbaseandattachittothelampholderaccordingtodirections.Installthelow-voltagelightbulb.

Assemblethefixturepartsthatcoverthebulb,includingthelenscapandreflectororthecap.

Layoutthelights,withthewiresattached,inthepatternyouhavechosen.Thencutthesodbetweenfixtureswithaspade.Pushthebladeatleast6"deepandpryopenaseambyrockingthebladebackandforth.

Gentlyforcethecableintotheslotformedbythespade;don’ttearthewireinsulation.Apaintstick(oracedarshingle)isagoodtoolforthisjob.Pushthewiretothebottomoftheslot.

Firmlypushthelightintotheslotinthesod.Ifthelampdoesn’tseatproperly,pullitoutandcutanotherslotatarightangletothefirstandtryagain.

Oncethelampisstabilized,tuckanyextrawireintotheslotusingthepaintstick.Nopartofthewireshouldbeexposedwhenyouaredonewiththejob.

Motion-SensingFloodlights

Mosthousesandgarageshavefloodlightsontheirexteriors.Youcaneasilyupgradethesefixturessothattheyprovideadditionalsecuritybyreplacingthemwithmotion-sensingfloodlights.Motion-sensingfloodscanbesetuptodetectmotioninaspecificarea—likeawalkwayordriveway—andthencastlightintothatarea.Andtherearefewthingsintruderslikelessthanthespotlight.Theselightstypicallyhavetimersthatallowyoutocontrolhowlongthelightstaysonandphotosensorsthatpreventthelightfromcomingonduringtheday.

Tools&Materials

CircuittesterJigsawFishtapeScrewdriversWirecutterCableripperWirestripperCaulkgunMotion-sensingfloodlightfixtureElectricalboxNMcableWireconnectorsEyeProtection

Amotion-sensinglightfixtureprovidesinexpensiveandeffectiveprotectionagainstintruders.Ithasaninfraredeyethattriggersthelightfixturewhenamovingobjectcrossesitspath.Choosealightfixturewith:aphotocelltopreventthelightfromturningonindaylight;anadjustabletimertocontrolhowlongthelightstayson;andrangecontroltoadjustthereachofthemotion-sensoreye.

Anexteriorfloodlightwithamotionsensorisaneffectivesecuritymeasure.Keepthemotionsensoradjustedtocoveronlytheareayouwishtosecure—ifthecoverageareaistoolargethelightwillturnonfrequently.

HowtoInstallaNewExteriorFixtureBox

Ontheoutsideofthehouse,makethecutoutforthemotion-sensorlightfixtureinthesamestudcavitywiththeGFCIcutout.Outlinethelightfixtureboxonthewall,thendrillapilotholeandcompletethecutoutwithawallboardsaworjigsaw.

Estimatethedistancebetweentheindoorswitchboxandtheoutdoormotion-sensorbox,andcutalengthofNMcableabout2ft.longerthanthisdistance.Useafishtapetopullthecablefromtheswitchboxtothemotion-sensorbox.Seepages41and42fortipsonrunningcablethroughfinishedwalls.

Stripabout10"ofouterinsulationfromtheendofthecableusingacableripper.Openaknockoutintheretrofitlightfixtureboxwithascrewdriver.Insertthecableintotheboxsothatatleast1/4"ofoutersheathingreachesintothebox.Applyaheavybeadofsiliconeorpolyurethanecaulktotheflangeoftheelectricalboxbeforeattachingittothewall.

Inserttheboxintothecutoutopening,andtightenthemountingscrewsuntilthebracketsdrawtheoutsideflangefirmlyagainstthesiding.

HowtoReplaceaFloodlightwithaMotion-SensorLight

Turnoffpowertotheoldfixture.Toremoveit,unscrewthemountingscrewsonthepartofthefixtureattachedtothewall.Therewillprobablybefourofthem.Carefullypullthefixtureawayfromthewall,exposingthewires.Don’ttouchthewiresyet.

Beforeyoutouchanywires,useavoltagesensortoverifythatthecircuitisdead.Withthelightswitchturnedon,insertthesensor’sprobeintotheelectricalboxandholdtheprobewithin1/2"ofthewiresinsidetoconfirmthatthereisnovoltageflow.Disconnectthewireconnectorsandremovetheoldfixture.

Examinetheendsofthethreewirescomingfromthebox(onewhite,oneblack,andonebarecopper).Theyshouldbecleanandfreeofcorrosion.Iftheendsareinpoorcondition,clipthemoffandthenstrip3/4"ofwireinsulationwithacombinationtool.

Iftheelectricalboxisnonmetallicanddoesnothaveametalgroundingclip,installagroundingcliporreplacetheboxwithonethatdoeshaveaclip,andmakesurethegroundwireisattachedtoitsecurely.Somelightfixtureshaveagroundingterminalonthebase.Ifyourshasone,attachthegroundingwirefromthehousedirectlytotheterminal.

Nowyoucanattachthenewfixture.Beginbyslidingarubberorfoamgasket(usuallyprovidedwiththefixture)overthewiresandontotheflangeoftheelectricalbox.Setthenewfixtureontopofaladderorhaveahelperholditwhileyoumakethewiringconnections.Theremaybeasmanyasthreewhitewirescomingfromthefixture.Joinallwhitewires,includingthefeedwirefromthehouse,usingawireconnector.

Next,jointheblackwirefromtheboxandthesingleblackwirefromthefixturewithawireconnector.Youmayseeacoupleofblackwiresandaredwirealreadyjoinedonthefixture.Youcanignoretheseinyourinstallation.

Neatlytuckallthewiresintotheboxsotheyarebehindthegasket.Aligntheholesinthegasketwiththeholesinthebox,andthenpositionthefixtureoverthegasketsoitsmountingholesarealsoalignedwiththegasket.Pressthefixtureagainstthegasketanddrivethefourmountingscrewsintothebox.Installfloodlights(exteriorrated)andrestorepower.

Testthefixture.Youwillstillbeabletoturnitonandoffwiththelightswitchinside.Fliptheswitchonandpassyourhandinfrontofthemotionsensor.Thelightshouldcomeon.Adjustthemotionsensortocoverthetrafficareasandpivotthelightheadtoilluminatetheintendedarea.

ConversionsMetricEquivalent

ConvertingMeasurements

TOCONVERT: TO: MULTIPLYBY:Inches Millimeters 25.4Inches Centimeters 25.4Feet Meters 0.305Yards Meters 0.914Miles Kilometers 1.609Squareinches Squarecentimeters 6.45Squarefeet Squaremeters 0.093Squareyards Squaremeters 0.836Cubicinches Cubiccentimeters 16.4Cubicfeet Cubicmeters 0.0283Cubicyards Cubicmeters 0.765Pints(U.S.) Liters 0.473(lmp.0.568)Quarts(U.S.) Liters 0.946(lmp.1.136)Gallons(U.S.) Liters 3.785(lmp.4.546)Ounces Grams 28.4Pounds Kilograms 0.454Tons Metrictons 0.907Millimeters Inches 0.039Centimeters Inches 0.394Meters Feet 3.28Meters Yards 1.09Kilometers Miles 0.621Squarecentimeters Squareinches 0.155Squaremeters Squarefeet 10.8Squaremeters Squareyards 1.2Cubiccentimeters Cubicinches 0.061Cubicmeters Cubicfeet 35.3Cubicmeters Cubicyards 1.31Liters Pints(U.S.) 2.114(lmp.1.76)Liters Quarts(U.S.) 1.057(lmp.0.88)Liters Gallons(U.S.) 0.264(lmp.0.22)Grams Ounces 0.035Kilograms Pounds 2.2Metrictons Tons 1.1

ConvertingTemperatures

ConvertdegreesFahrenheit(F)todegreesCelsius(C)byfollowingthissimpleformula:Subtract32fromtheFahrenheittemperaturereading.Thenmulitplythatnumberby5/9.Forexample,77°F-32=45.45×5/9=25°C.ToconvertdegreesCelsiustodegreesFahrenheit,multiplytheCelsiustemperaturereadingby9/5,thenadd32.Forexample,25°C×9/5=45.45+32=77°F.

Copyright©2013CreativePublishinginternational,Inc.400FirstAvenueNorth,Suite300Minneapolis,Minnesota554011-800-328-0590www.creativepub.comAllrightsreserved

10987654321

President/CEO:KenFund

Digitaledition:978-1-61058722-8Softcoveredition:9-781-58923-601-1

LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData

Thecompleteguidetowiring.--5thed.p.cm.“Currentwith2011-2013Electricalcodes.”“Black&Decker.”Includesindex.Summary:“New5theditionisfullycompliantwiththe2013NationalElectricalCode.”--Providedbypublisher.ISBN-13:978-1-58923-601-1(softcover)ISBN-10:1-58923-601-7(softcover)1.Electricwiring,Interior--Amateurs’manuals.2.Dwellings--

Maintenanceandrepair--Amateurs’manuals.3.Dwellings--Electricequipment--Amateurs’manuals.I.Black&DeckerCorporation(Towson,Md.)II.CreativePublishingInternational.III.Title:Black&Decker,thecompleteguidetowiring.

TK3284.C652011621.319’24--dc22

2011000820

HomeImprovementGroup

Publisher:BryanTrandemManagingEditor:TracyStanleySeniorEditor:MarkJohanson

CreativeDirector:MicheleLanci-AltomareArtDirection/Design:BradSpringer,JamesKegley,KimWinscher

LeadPhotographer:CoreanKomarecSetBuilder:JamesParmeterProductionManagers:LauraHokkanen,LindaHalls

EditionEditor:ChrisSibellPageLayoutArtist:DanielleSmithTechnicalConsultantandShopHelp:JohnKeaneProofreader:IngridSundstromLundegaard

TheCompleteGuidetoWiring5thEditionCreatedby:TheEditorsofCreativePublishinginternational,

Inc.,incooperationwithBlack&Decker.Black&Decker®isatrademarkofTheBlack&DeckerCorporationandisusedunderlicense.

NOTICETOREADERSForsafety,usecaution,care,andgoodjudgmentwhenfollowingtheproceduresdescribedinthisbook.ThepublisherandBlack&Deckercannotassumeresponsibilityforanydamagetopropertyorinjurytopersonsasaresultofmisuseoftheinformationprovided.

Thetechniquesshowninthisbookaregeneraltechniquesforvariousapplications.Insomeinstances,additionaltechniquesnotshowninthisbookmayberequired.Alwaysfollowmanufacturers’instructionsincludedwithproducts,sincedeviatingfromthedirectionsmayvoidwarranties.Theprojectsinthisbookvarywidelyastoskilllevelsrequired:somemaynotbeappropriateforalldo-it-yourselfers,andsomemayrequireprofessionalhelp.

Consultyourlocalbuildingdepartmentforinformationonbuildingpermits,codes,andotherlawsastheyapplytoyourproject.