Designing the Light Pattern

• Sketch out the wiring and installation patterns to make the installation as easy as possible. The cans themselves should sit in open places with an upward depth of seven inches and a width of a few inches more than the can light. The wiring should not crisscross or be too muddled. Allow an extra inch and a half to install the wiring for each fixture. The can lights should rest beside the joists and should not be staggered. Also, consider how the can lights will be installed (attached to the joist on the side or to the ceiling panel above). Consult an electrician or a carpenter if necessary.
  
  

Precautions

• Begin by clearing the work area of furniture or covering all furniture. Dust and discarded tools might damage the lights. Turn off the power to the room at the circuit breaker. Using a pencil, draw circles on the ceiling exactly where the can lights are going. Check the chosen spot by drilling a small hole and measuring the space with a tape measure to confirm that the ceiling has enough width and depth to take the can light. By doing this first, you can determine the distance from the ceiling to the panel is without removing a big chunk of ceiling.
  
  

Installation

• Cut the circle out with a saw. You should use a circular saw or a jigsaw for this task. Put the light fixture into the hole. Adjust the fixture's width and depth so that it reaches the joist or ceiling panel.
  
  

Wiring

• Draw the wiring around or through the joists, drilling small holes whenever necessary. You should not drill through joists that are less than an inch wide. Use wire connectors to make secure and safe connections between the circuit and the fixture. Put the fixture flush against the joist or the ceiling panel, and screw the fixture into place. Attach any trim around the fixture.
  
  

Final Touches

• Place a light bulb into the fixture, and turn on the power to the circuit. Then flip the room's light switch to see your new fixture system in action.