Someone educate me on under cabinet lights,have cabinets in 3 separate locations with no easy way between them.Looking to install some type of LED's.What do I really need to rough in before the walls are closed up,i do have 110 VAC at each cabinet location now if I need power for a transformer.
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Under cabinet lights
- Thread starter flat350
- Start date
Mustang51js
Well-known member
It really depends on the lights you buy, some come with tails long enough to reach above cabinet. If you have access to top of cabinet I would put transformer up there. Some lights are 120v into the light so the wires go right in. So you need to determine what lights you want to give you a better idea how to set up for them
sands35
Well-known member
Direct wire or with a plug?
Simple way is to put a plug just under the lower lip of the cabinet and a wall switch in a convenient location.
You can leave a foot or so of wire sticking out the wall if you want to direct wire. Some AHJs will require BX or conduit for that though, so ask first. (My AHJ was ok with bare NM as long as it was fastened neatly to the bottom of the cabinets and the run was really short (~4-6" or so).)
If the wall board isn't up, then it's easy to drill holes in the studs to run wires. Don't forget a nailing plate to protect the wire through the studs.
You can pull power from a convenient outlet in the area. Whatever works. Personally, I like outlets on different circuits from lights. So popping a outlet breaker doesn't kill lights. Also, if it the lights are direct wire, they don't need to be on a GFCI, so either tap into a GFCI outlet on the *line* side or find a way for a new breaker. (again, check with your local inspector)
Do you want all 3 on one switch or separate switches for each or combination?
Bix box places have basic books on wiring for just this sort of thing.
Do you know the breaker / wire size from where you are going to pull power? You'll need to figure that out to buy the correct wire.
Simple way is to put a plug just under the lower lip of the cabinet and a wall switch in a convenient location.
You can leave a foot or so of wire sticking out the wall if you want to direct wire. Some AHJs will require BX or conduit for that though, so ask first. (My AHJ was ok with bare NM as long as it was fastened neatly to the bottom of the cabinets and the run was really short (~4-6" or so).)
If the wall board isn't up, then it's easy to drill holes in the studs to run wires. Don't forget a nailing plate to protect the wire through the studs.
You can pull power from a convenient outlet in the area. Whatever works. Personally, I like outlets on different circuits from lights. So popping a outlet breaker doesn't kill lights. Also, if it the lights are direct wire, they don't need to be on a GFCI, so either tap into a GFCI outlet on the *line* side or find a way for a new breaker. (again, check with your local inspector)
Do you want all 3 on one switch or separate switches for each or combination?
Bix box places have basic books on wiring for just this sort of thing.
Do you know the breaker / wire size from where you are going to pull power? You'll need to figure that out to buy the correct wire.
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For as much as we don't use our under cabinet lights, we have a set of battery led's.
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I put a switched out!et on the top of each run of cabinets. Ran the light wires down the back.
trainer
Well-known member
I just did this. I used low voltage LEDs, put a switched outlet and a 12v. doorbell-type transformer in a lower cabinet and ran #14 lamp cord to the light locations.
Connections were soldered and shrink wrapped.
I used surface-mount flat raceway on the bottom of the cabinets to conceal the wires.
Connections were soldered and shrink wrapped.
I used surface-mount flat raceway on the bottom of the cabinets to conceal the wires.
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RickP
Well-known member
My transformer is in the basement, directly under the cabinets with the low voltage lights. The low voltage wire is great because it can be run under and through the cabinets without protecting it, as long as you have enough closed spaces to conceal the wire.
Falcon67
Well-known member
We bought some the clip under the cabinets and can be extended with the first in the line using a small transformer. I put outlets inside the cabinets and ran the power wire up through a small hole in the underside. These particular items have two light levels with the control button on the transformer. We use the hell out of them, almost more than the ceiling lights - which we both hate since they are cheap 4' fixtures.
We got the LEDs at HD, not sure if they even carry that style anymore. They were not cheap, but I really liked them because I could take the lights apart and cut them to a custom length if needed.
We got the LEDs at HD, not sure if they even carry that style anymore. They were not cheap, but I really liked them because I could take the lights apart and cut them to a custom length if needed.
Falcon67
Well-known member
Here's something that might let you build your own
https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...face-mount-aluminum-led-profile-housing/1020/
https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...face-mount-aluminum-led-profile-housing/1020/