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About J Cook
Expertise
General electrical wiring, including but not limited to, residential, panelboards, control wiring, low voltage wiring, Heating and A/C control wiring, single and three phase wiring.

Experience
I have been doing electrical since high school. I have been licensed by the State of North Carolina for ten years and am currently the Building Maintenance Superintendent for a municipality. I have extensive control wiring experience.

Organizations
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society.

 
   

You are here:  Experts > Home/Garden > Home Improvement/Repair > Electrical Wiring in the Home > Electric

Electrical Wiring in the Home - Electric


Expert: J Cook - 11/6/2009

Question
Hi Mr Cook

I am installing Recess lighting in our basement, I have a ceiling with a foot and half space with no insulation above so I just need to cut the hole. Which I have no problem doing. My worry though is the electric. I have a light already which I am going to replace with a recess light. Can I use that existing light once changed out and then pass the eclectic wire on so it is just one wire? How can I tell how many canister I can install using that same method with out blowing a breaker or a fire? What kind of electric wire can I use? I think I understand how to do this, I just would like and expert option.   Thank you for the help and time

Answer
You can " Daisy Chain " from light to light. The calculation to determine how many on one circuit is: Watts divided by volts = Amps

So, 10 100 watt lights = 1000 watts divided by 120 volts = 8.33 amps, so these 10 lights can be installed on a 15 amp circuit. The wire size is determined by the existing circuit breaker. If this is a 15 amp circuit, #14 can be used, if it is a 20 amp, #12 must be used. Thanks

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About Electrical Wiring in the Home
This site answers questions related to home electrical wiring, home wiring, general electrical help,and other electrical questions related to aleternating current (AC). You can find help on the National Electical Code, home electrical issues, wiring electrical outlets, installing lighting, electrical grounding, and general electrical help for do-it-yourself projects not require an electrician. If you do not see your home electrical wiring question answered in this area then please ask your electrical wiring question here
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