Installing a Recessed Light Can

This should be a simple install since it's one can. It will stick about 6" up into the joist space through a 4-1/2" hole. The can is what's called an IC can. This means that it can be covered with insulation (if installed below an attic) without overheating. It has a thermo cutoff that cuts the power to the lamp if the temperture gets too high.

Recessed Light Install This should be a simple install since it's one can. It will stick about 6" up into the joist space through a 4-1/2" hole. The can is what's called an IC can. This means that it can be covered with insulation (if installed below an attic) without overheating. It has a thermo cutoff that cuts the power to the lamp if the temperture gets too high.

The hardest part of the job is to find a clear open joist space to install the recessed can. The second hardest part is supplying power to the light.

Recessed Light Install The hardest part of the job is to find a clear open joist space to install the recessed can. The second hardest part is supplying power to the light. The ceiling vent down by the window certainly has a metal duct in this joist space.

Recessed Light Install The ceiling vent down by the window certainly has a metal duct in this joist space.

you can get hints on whats going on by looking at what's above the area you're working on. This vent is on the floor above the closet.

Recessed Light Install you can get hints on whats going on by looking at what's above the area you're working on. This vent is on the floor above the closet.

Recessed Light Install The vent starts 94" from the back wall. I took of the vent and the round duct is routed toward me and away from my work area.

Recessed Light Install I'm measuring 94" from the back wall to get an idea where the vent is in the ceiling below. The vent is about 14" from the back of the 2x4 wall.

Recessed Light Install The vent is about 14" from the back of the 2x4 wall.

I figured out where the joists are. I drilled a small hole in the ceiling where I thought there wouldn't be a duct and stuck a coat hangar wire up into it. The wire didn't seem to hit anything.

Recessed Light Install I figured out where the joists are. I drilled a small hole in the ceiling where I thought there wouldn't be a duct and stuck a coat hangar wire up into it. The wire didn't seem to hit anything. The wire went in ok and I didn't think I hit anything else so I drilled a 7/8" hole.

Recessed Light Install The wire went in ok and I didn't think I hit anything else so I drilled a 7/8" hole.

I didn't have any luck. I ran into round ducts in 2 joist spaces and was forced to put the light all the way over to the left which is not optimal. Now I have to plug the holes. I traced a 4-1/2" circle for the can. I'll have to patch the other holes.

Recessed Light Install I didn't have any luck. I ran into round ducts in 2 joist spaces and was forced to put the light all the way over to the left which is not optimal. Now I have to plug the holes. I traced a 4-1/2" circle for the can. I'll have to patch the other holes.

Recessed Light Install I cut the circle out with a drywall saw / compass saw.

Recessed Light Install This is what you want to see. A nice open space. The blue wire is for the overhead florescent fixture.

I ran a wire from the closet switch up into the florescent fixture space where a hole into the joist space already existed. I pulled a good length of wire down through the ceiling. It's always smart to have extra slack wire in any installation.

Recessed Light Install I ran a wire from the closet switch up into the florescent fixture space where a hole into the joist space already existed. I pulled a good length of wire down through the ceiling. It's always smart to have extra slack wire in any installation.

Recessed Light Install I had to supply a clamp fitting to run the romex through into the built in box. I stripped the wire ends.

I tied the white neutrals, the red to the hot and the ground wires together. This way the red will be the switched wire back in the switch box.

Recessed Light Install I tied the white neutrals, the red to the hot and the ground wires together. This way the red will be the switched wire back in the switch box.

Recessed Light Install I released the 2 side clips so they retracted into the can. I pushed the whole assembly up into the hole.

Recessed Light Install Then I pushed the 2 side clips out which holds the can up in the ceiling. I put the trim on and screwed in the led bulb. Most closets used to have a pull chain fixture with a bare lightbulb. These were outlawed by code because the hot bulbs could catch flamable items on the top shelf of the closet on fire. The bulbs were also prone to getting broken off. Lots of closets don't have lights anymore. This LED light is recessed and out of the way and doesn't produce heat.

I put the trim on and screwed in the led bulb. Most closets used to have a pull chain fixture with a bare lightbulb. These were outlawed by code because the hot bulbs could catch flamable items on the top shelf of the closet on fire. The bulbs were also prone to getting broken off. Lots of closets don't have lights anymore. This LED light is recessed and out of the way and doesn't produce heat.

Recessed Light Install I put the trim on and screwed in the led bulb. Most closets used to have a pull chain fixture with a bare lightbulb. These were outlawed by code because the hot bulbs could catch flamable items on the top shelf of the closet on fire. The bulbs were also prone to getting broken off. Lots of closets don't have lights anymore. This LED light is recessed and out of the way and doesn't produce heat.