The big thing to watch out for is where the joist or any other obstructions might be. If you cannot get access from above, either from the loft or by lifting the floor boards, use a stud detector to do this and also to see if there are any pipes or cables that are going to cause you problems.

When you are happy with the positioning and your markings you are ready for the next step. Step 2 – Cutting the Holes for Downlights The next step is getting the cables run in for the lights. Generally, the electrician doing the work will run a cable from the consumer unit or from an existing source down to the switch that’s being used to control them and then out to each hole. A loop is pulled or pushed through each hole before it’s run on to the next hole. Strip the ends of the wires in your wall and on the downlight. Open the wire stripper and clamp the last 1⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) of the 14/2 cable between the jaws. Pull the strippers toward the end wire to remove the insulation. Repeat the process with the wire attached to the downlight. [13] X Research source Halogen lights were a huge technological leap forward in their day, however they are only about 30% more efficient than old fashioned incandescent bulbs and will only last about 2 years (based on 3 hours usage everyday). They also get hot so consideration needs to be given to ventilation. Yes, you can replace old downlights with an LED alternative. However, getting an electrician to do the changeover from halogen to LEDs is advisable. If you're not knowledgeable about lighting and electrics, leaving it to the professionals to guarantee correct and safe installation is better. You can instead do the replacement of the LED bulbs once your fixture is already transitioned to an LED one.Installing LED lighting into your mains is not an easy task for an amateur, and understanding home electrics and electrical lighting is required. Depending on the model, you may or may not need a transformer. Additionally, different types of LED lighting are needed to be wired either in parallel or in series. Connection to a direct (DC) will extend the life of your LED lighting systems. Finally, once the circuit is yet again tested to ensure it’s isolated, the end of the supply cable is connected to it’s MCB, if it’s a brand new circuit, or if an existing circuit, most likely using a junction box, is then connected to the existing supply. Step 4 – Inserting Downlights into your Ceiling You don’t want him or her turning up and stating that you have the wrong type for the area they are to be fitted in. IP20 Downlights A good idea to use a dust-catcher when drilling holes above your head. It both saves dust going in your eyes and onto the floor.

Under cabinet downlights are often designed to be surface mounted and therefore have heights of around 15mm. Once you know where each downlighter will be fitted, then you should drill a small pilot hole at the centre of each light position. Like their IP20 counterparts they are also available as adjustable meaning that you can change the angle of the light to project elsewhere, however there aren’t that many manufacturers that produce these. Square Downlights – Single to QuadrupleBefore anything actually gets installed it’s important to know about the different types of downlights and where they should be used, especially if you are buying your own lights to be later fitted by an electrician. As the light slides into the hole, the wire spring catches will catch on the ceiling and force out the springs so that they push down on the upper side of the ceiling boards holding the light unit in place. It’s also worth mentioning that, traditionally for special locations, you would need to use low voltage downlights. These feature a step down transformer that coverts the 230/240 volt electric down to 12v, which, in the event of an issue, poses much less of a risk than full voltage. With standard downlighters you can change the bulb as normal. Which offer more flexibility should you need to, or if you want to change to a different tone light. In this DIY guide we take a look at all aspects of downlights including how they are installed. Rules and Regulations for Downlights and Electrics