How to properly connect spotlights

Spot lighting is convenient to use, it is used as the main and additional lighting. For the normal operation of the equipment, it must be properly installed and connected. The process requires accuracy and care, but if you want it can be done by anyone, there is nothing complicated about it.

Connect several lights should be according to a certain scheme.

Features of installation in different types of ceilings

Connection of ceiling lights is made after they are installed. Because the body is hidden under the surface, you can use such models only in hollow constructions. Most often the work is carried out on ceilings made of PVC, plasterboard, as well as in tension systems. Each type has its own characteristics, so it is worth studying the option you need to properly install the lights.

Stretch ceilings

In this case, part of the work must be carried out before the stretching of the canvas, because then it is impossible to do it. Beforehand, you need to know how much lower the ceiling level to assemble racks for mounting fixtures or install ready-made. Instructions for the work:

1. Make a diagram with wiring and location of lighting fixtures on the ceiling. This will help you calculate the right amount of cable and fixtures, as well as corrugated hose if you need it.
   Wiring in a corrugated hose.
2. After measuring, place marks on the ceiling where the lights will be. Wiring should be wired with reserve so that it will be convenient to connect later, the wire should hang down below the surface of the stretch ceiling for at least 10-15 cm. It should be fastened by special cable ties.
3. Place a rack to mount the lamp body. The easiest way to buy a ready-made version with the ability to adjust the height. But you can make them yourself from a plastic ring or a piece of plywood and hangers for drywall. Fix the structure to the ceiling and press it to the surface so that it does not interfere.
   Homemade plywood embedding.
4. When the ceiling is stretched, you can start installing fixtures. To find the location is easiest to touch - lightly press the surface in the right place and find the center of the hole in the post. Then lubricate the mounting ring with glue and glue on the outside. The glue will dry in 3-5 minutes.
   Rings and glue for the stretch ceiling.
5. Carefully cut the canvas inside the ring. Adjust the rack so that it stands flush with the surface, pull out the cable that is brought in. The ends of the wires on the lamp should be stripped, then connect them to the cable, using a socket.
6. Carefully press the clips, insert the light into the hole. Check if the light switches on.

For your information! The same way you need to connect and overhead spot options. But they may have a different type of mounting, so clarify this in advance.

For normal installation there should be a distance of at least 5 cm between the ceiling and the luminaire, and preferably a little more. When purchasing the luminaire, check the height of the cabinetso that it doesn't end up resting against the ceiling.

More details are described in a separate described in more detail in a separate article.

Drywall ceilings

Wiring under the suspended ceiling is laid in advance.

On plasterboard, it is convenient to mount lights, if you prepare properly and do not miss any important nuances. Here you also need to carry out some of the work before installing the sheets, as it is inconvenient to do it later. Follow a simple instruction:

1. Make a diagram with the location of the equipment, think through the connection. Calculate how much cable and other materials you need, buy everything you need.
2. Secure the wire to the ceiling with any suitable fasteners. If necessary, lay it in a fireproof corrugation. Do not just put the cable on the frame, this is wrong.
3. Bring the ends to the places of future installation of lighting fixtures. Leave a margin of about 20 cm to make it easy to connect. After that you can attach the drywall to the frame and putty it.
4. The holes are best made with a drill on plasterboard or wood. The diameter should correspond to the size of the lamp. To find the wire is not difficult - you need to stick your hand in, feel and pull it out.
   Wood or drywall crowns will also work for plastic.
5. Connect the light fixtures with pads to the cable. You can test their operation before installing them in the drywall by turning on the power supply. If everything is normal, you can continue.
6. Insert the body into the hole by clamping the clamps with your hands. Once the light goes all the way in, they will open and hold. It is even easier to do the job if the outer ring is removable and can be put in beforehand.

The connection option with the driver.

Similarly, the connection of furniture lights is made, only there you need to drill holes not in the drywall, but in chipboard or other material. It is best to use models with LED light bulbs, as they consume the least electricity and almost no heat, even with long operation.

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Description of the installation of spotlights in the ceiling of gypsum plasterboard

 

PVC panel ceilings

Before connecting in a suspended ceiling made of plastic panels, a number of preparatory work must be carried out. This option has its own features, which must be taken into account. The wiring scheme is done the same way, the installation of cables is no different, so there is no point in disassembling this part of the work. As for the installation of lighting fixtures, it is necessary to observe simple tips:

1. The work should be carried out simultaneously with the fixing of the panels. When it came to the element in which to make a hole, put it on the ceiling, mark the center of the future location of the lamp, at the same time make sure that the wire is brought correctly and its length is enough.
2. It is better to draw a circle with a compass to have a reference point. The easiest way to cut is with a drill bit on wood or drywall, the work takes a few seconds. If you do not have a crown, first carefully cut the top of the perimeter with a construction knife, then cut a circle. Do the work carefully, do not go beyond the outlined line.
   The crown makes a perfectly shaped hole in seconds.
3. Put the panel in place, pull the cable ends through the cut hole. Secure the element, then connect the wires with a block (twisting is undesirable).

For your information! In narrow panels, it is better to make holes at the joints, in wide - approximately in the middle.

In the same way to connect all the lights. PVC when heated can deform, so you can not put in a plastic ceiling spotlights with incandescent lamps and halogen options. LEDs are best suited.

Read more about installation in a plastic ceiling here.

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Types of spotlights and rules of their choice

 

Wiring scheme when connecting to 220V network

This is the easiest way, which does not require the installation of converters. Most modern lighting fixtures are designed for 220 V voltage, so there will be no problems with connection. It is necessary to choose a suitable circuit, as there are two main options and each has its own pros and cons.

The serial variant

Connecting spotlights in this way is characterized by simplicity and the lowest cable consumption. But at the same time connect in in series chain should not be more than 6 luminaires, otherwise the wiring will be exposed to high loads and the risk of overheating will increase many times. Connect as follows:

1. Connect the phase to the switch, from it to the first lamp. Connect it to the next and so on up to the last element.
2. Zero should be led directly to the last lamp and connect only there. As a result, when you turn on the light, the circuit is closed and all the lights turn on at the same time.
3. If there is a ground connection, it is fed to the appropriate contact of each light. You can connect the ground from the nearest switch or socket.
4. It is best to use single-core wires rather than cable, since one goes directly to the last light fixture, and the other is constantly broken. This way you can save money.

A daisy-chain wiring scheme.

Since daisy-chain wiring distributes energy to all the bulbs, the light can be dim. But if you put LED options, the voltage is enough and there will be almost no difference in brightness.

Remember! If one bulb in a daisy chain burns out, all will stop working. You will have to take them out in order to find the failed one and replace it.

Wiring in Parallel

This connection scheme involves separate connection of each lamp, which allows all the lights to work with the maximum possible power. This option is the most popular and is almost always used. Suitable for any number of built-in lamps. The first type - daisy-chain connection, the features are such:

1. The method is quite simple and involves bringing the wire to the first switch, from it to the second and so on to the end. The phase goes through the switch, and the zero from the junction box. It also connects to all the lamps in series.
2. If a two-button switch is used, the circuit is more complicated due to the greater number of wires and the connection of two independent circuits. At the same time, the principle of operation remains the same.

Daisy-chain connection with a two-way switch.

If one bulb burns out, then all those located behind it stop working. Therefore, it is very easy to identify the burned element.

Radial connection is the most complicated, but also the most reliable and practical. In this case, the most cable is consumed, because it is led to each lamp separately. Before you start work, you need to bring the supply wire in the middle of the room, so that there is approximately the same distance to all luminaires. Remember the following:

1. Lead a separate phase and zero wire to each lamp separately. Wiring is similar to the rays of the sun, hence the name.
2. The main thing is to make a reliable connection, since there may be a large number of wires coming up to the supply conductor. To do this, you can use soldering, buy a special block or adapt a standard screw as shown in the photo below.
3. Because of the complexity and large number of cables, the method is used less often than daisy-chain connection. The main problem is the reliable connection of several wires.

A simple version of the connection with a standard socket.

Connecting 12-volt spotlights

Connecting recessed lights with 12 V LEDs differs from the conventional version in that the system has a converter. It lowers the voltage and feeds it to the lamps.

The phase wire must first be led to the switch, from it let it go to the converter. Zero should be led directly into the unit, and from it already distribute to the lamps, and do the same with the phase. Earth is led directly to the equipment, it does not go through the unit.

Wiring diagram with a 12 V transformer.

If you need to connect the light through a double switch, you need to use 2 converters. If you need to implement several modes, it is better to put a dimmer.

This video shows how to properly make the wiring for spotlights.

How to choose a transformer

In order for LED spotlights to work properly, you need to correctly determine the power driver. To do this, you must first sum up the values of all the lamps. Add about 20% margin to the result. For example, if the total power of the luminaires is 200 watts, then you need to put a transformer for 240-250 watts.

Read also

Features of connecting LED bulbs

 

If there are a lot of lamps and you need a powerful converter, it is easier to distribute the load on two drivers. This will come out cheaper than one, but powerful. In addition, you will save space, because as the power increases, the size of the enclosure increases a lot.

Connect the spotlights yourself will not be difficult, if you understand the way they are installed and choose the right scheme. The main thing is to use high-quality cable and make the connections as reliable as possible.