8/10/2019 Installing Downlights

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Your local MITRE 10 Store is:

IMPORTANT: This project planner has been produced to providebasic information and our experienced staff are available to answer anyquestions you may have. However, this information is provided for useon the understanding that Mitre 10 is not liable for any loss or damagewhich is suffered or incurred (including but not limited to indirect orconsequential loss), for any personal injury or damage to property sufferedor sustained as a result of using the information contained in this MitrePlanProject Planner. Mitre 10 advises you to call in a qualified tradesperson,such as an electrician or plumber, where expert services are required,and to independently assess any safety precautions that will need to befollowed prior to using the information inthis MitrePlan Project Planner.

WARNING: There may be by laws orregulations of councils or other statutorybodies that you must comply with whenfollowing this MitrePlan Project Planner.

Install downlights

Timber

900mm lengths of 90 x 45 structural pine

(transformer mounts or support

for heavy lights)

Hardware

Halogen lamp holders

Transformers/ballasts

Recessed lamps

Other Materials

Fluorescent globes Halogen lamps

Cable and connectors

(as instructed by your electrician)

MIGHTY TOOLS FORYOUR MITREPLAN

Verbal quotes are indicative only. Written quotes on materialsare available upon request from your Mitre 10 store.

ORDER

MIGHTY HELPFUL CHECKLISTMIGHTY HELPFULHINTS TO MAKE

THE JOB EASIER

Collect pictures of lightingschemes that you like frommagazines. Its easier to explainwhat you want if you have photos.

Consider installing passiveinfrared sensors to switch lights onwhen youre in the room and offwhen youre not saving you moneyand saving the environment too.

Its much easier to measure andmark light positions on the floorthan the ceilings. Use masking tape(dont actually mark the floor) tomark the positions, and then transferthe position to the ceiling with aplumb bob or laser level device that

can swing around to plumb.Roof spaces are difficult to movein. Take up some short planks to walkand kneel on only put your weight onthe timbers, never on the plasterboardbecause you will fall through it.

Try a downlight cutter insteadof a standard holesaw. These havecontinuous tungsten grit cuttingsurfaces, operate smoothly, and arevery long lasting.

Use a dustbowl or havesomeone hold a vacuum nozzleclose to the saw while yourecutting to minimise airborne dust.

Protect your eyes and weara dust mask when you cutplasterboard overhead, and whenyou are working in the ceiling.

Wear eye, ear and breathingprotection when you use power tools.

Thoroughly clean your tools after

cutting plasterboard it containssalt and will make your tools rustquickly. Lightly oil your tools withRP7 or WD40 before storage.

Some Mitre 10 stores canrefer you to trustworthy localtradespeople.

Roofs can be unbearably hot, sodo this work in a cool part of the yearor a cool part of the day (or night).

Tape measure and pencil

Powered or cordless drill

/ driver with holesaws

and bits

Jigsaw, keyhole saw or

pad saw

Claw hammer

Plumb bob or laser level

Drop sheets

Vacuum cleaner

Screwdriver setWire strippers, side

cutters or pliers

Visimi10.com.au fo mo S

8/10/2019 Installing Downlights

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Downlights have become very

popular in shops, offices, new

homes and old. The reason is

clear they are very effective

and fashion-neutral without

being obtrusive or creating glare

in all directions.

There are many types available.

Most people immediately think

of the neat little 12-volt halogen

downlights, but their largerancestors (the recessed light)

are also still available with the

advantage of being able to use

low-energy fluorescent lamps.

Lighting formood, beautyor utility.

These unobtrusive halogen lamps have a few simplecomponents: a ballast (transformer), light fitting, cables and alamp. Some models use low-energy 25W lamps, which producegreat light at lower cost.

You can use downlights in ceilings, under stairs, in furniture, inwalls, and even in floors (the same unit is then an uplight). Anobvious location is above kitchen workbenches. They can beinstalled in the ceiling above the bench in positions that wontcast shadows of you on your work area like pendant-stylelights do. Even better, some types can be installed under theoverhead kitchen cupboards to light your culinary work withoutglare.

Downlights can be used to provide a concentrated beamof light, or a wide beam simply by using different lamps(in the halogen types), or by adjusting the lamp position(in recessed types).

Some types have fixed lamps, with their beams at 90 to themounting surface, but some are gimballed (pivoted) so thatthe beam can be directed. Hoods are also available to cut glareand concentrate light where you want it.

Most halogen light ranges include surface-mounted lamps tomatch the downlights, so you can create your complete lightingeffect with a consistent style of lamp.

Your new lighting can be a very rewarding undertaking. It canmake a huge difference to the mood of your home, especially ifyou take the time to carefully plan.

Step 1: Getting readyIf you have a rough idea about what you want in lighting, callyour local electrician around for advice and a quote - before youbuy all of your light fittings. The electrician will check out theroof and wiring and let you know if its a straightforward job, orif there are more-or-less expensive choices to be made. He willalso tell you what you can do by yourself, and at what stage hewill come in to finish things off. Youll also get advice about theright types and configuration of lights to suit your needs.

Armed with this information, draw-up a simple sketch of theroom and the light locations. Take this to your local Mitre 10store and the staff will assist you to get the right lights andeverything else you need.

TYPES

Some models have pivoting lamps so you can easily focusthe light where you want it. Hoods can reduce unwantedglare and direct light in one direction.

Recessed lights are much larger than 12-volthalogen lights, but have the advantage of a widerchoice in globe types including low energyfluorescent.

Step 2: Create an upside down golf course

Carefully and accurately mark the centres of your lights on the ceiling and check to see ifyour lights will foul on the ceiling or roof timbers. If you cant see where these run (youllusually need very good eyes), drive a 50mm nail through the plasterboard at the centreof each planned light hole. If a nail hits timber, youll have to move the light, but even if itdoesnt youll have to get up into the roof space and check each nail to make sure thatthe light will fit without fouling on timber, cables, ducts, insulation or anything else lurkingabove your ceiling.

Lay down drop sheets on the floor and furniture its amazing how much mess a littleplaster dust can make!

When you have the positions worked out, move everything out of the path of the saw.

For the small halogen lights a holesaw is ideal. For the much-larger recessed lights youllneed to mark the holes with a template or compass, and cut with a jigsaw, keyhole saw orpad saw. The plasterboard cuts easily just take your time and make a neat job.

If you have many lights to fit, consider buying a dustbowl. This flexible plastic bowl fitsover the holesaw to catch dust.

Step 3: InstallationMost lights simply slip into the hole and hold themselves in position with spring-loadedarms or other devices. Some lights might need two people to install them.

12-volt transformers may then be connected to the light by following the manufacturers and electriciansinstructions. These transformers are heavy, and should be fixed to either the roof timbers or a separate piecefixed across two ceiling joists. Dont be tempted to simply sit the transformer on the plasterboard they areheavy enough to make the ceiling sag over time.

Re-install any insulation that you moved, but make sure there is at least 200mm clear space all around the lightand any transformer. Otherwise you run the risk of overheating and causing a fire. Your electrician will take careof the final connections.

TYPES