Can I daisy chain recessed lights?

Recessed lighting, also known as can lights, is a popular lighting choice for many homes. Recessed lights are installed into the ceiling, creating a clean, unobtrusive look. While recessed lights can be installed individually, it is also possible to daisy chain them together. Daisy chaining recessed lighting involves connecting multiple lights together in a series which can make installation easier and faster. However, there are some important factors to consider before daisy chaining recessed lights.

What is Daisy Chaining?

Daisy chaining refers to connecting multiple devices together in a sequence or chain. When daisy chaining recessed lights, the lights are wired together in a run which allows multiple lights to be powered from a single source. Here is a brief overview of how daisy chaining for recessed lights works:

– The power source is connected to the first recessed light in the chain. This may be a junction box in the ceiling or the main lighting circuit.

– Electrical wiring then connects the first recessed light to the second light in the run.

– The second light is then connected to a third light, the third light to a fourth light, and so on down the chain.

– The last light in the chain is not connected to any additional lights.

– All the lights in the daisy chain receive their power through the connections from light to light. This allows multiple lights to be powered from the single original power source.

Can Recessed Lights be Daisy Chained?

Recessed lights can generally be daisy chained as long as some important guidelines are followed:

– The lights must be compatible. Not all recessed lights are designed to be daisy chained. Checking manufacturer specifications is essential.

– The circuit must have enough power. Daisy chaining too many lights for the circuit capacity can cause tripping, fires, and other issues.

– Polarity must be maintained. All lights in the chain must have connections maintained with the same polarity or the lights will short.

– Local electrical codes must be followed. Most areas allow daisy chaining lights but may have limits on how many lights can be chained.

– The run length cannot be too long. Voltage drop over very long runs may cause light output or reliability issues.

As long as these factors are verified, daisy chaining recessed lighting is possible and allowed in most cases. Daisy chaining is actually required with some recessed lighting systems.

Pros and Cons of Daisy Chaining Recessed Lights

Daisy chaining recessed lighting has both advantages and potential disadvantages:

Pros

• Simpler, faster installation. Pulling one home run is faster than individual wires for each light.
• Fewer junction boxes needed. One box can feed the whole run.
• Cleaner look. No need for multiple ceiling boxes spaced across the area.
• Cost effective. Requires less wiring and materials to install multiple lights.
• Flexible layouts. Lights can be arranged in any pattern along the chain.

Cons

• Requires compatible lights. Not all recessed lights can be daisy chained.
• Limits on run length. Voltage drop can occur with very long runs.
• Troubleshooting problems may be trickier. All lights on the chain are affected.
• Polarity must be maintained. Incorrect polarity can short the system.
• Load balancing is crucial. Too many lights on a circuit can overload it.

Wiring and Installation

When daisy chaining recessed lighting, proper wiring practices and installation technique are vital:

Wiring

• Use 12 or 14 gauge NM-B wiring for lighting runs.
• Maintain the proper hot, neutral, and ground connections throughout the chain.
• Connect hot to hot, neutral to neutral to ensure correct polarity.
• Cap all unused wires with wire nuts for safety.

Installation Tips

• Plan the layout. Determine the number of lights needed and the placement.
• Check manufacturer limits on the maximum run length.
• Verify the electrical load. Make sure to not overload the circuit.
• Use junction boxes as needed to transition wiring.
• Allow slack at each recessed light to make connections.
• Group daisy chained lights on the same switch circuit.

Following good wiring practices and planning the run carefully is important for proper daisy chained recessed lighting. Checking local building codes for any requirements is also a good idea.

How Many Recessed Lights Can Be Daisy Chained?

The number of recessed lights that can be daisy chained together depends on several factors:

• Circuit capacity – Larger 15 or 20 amp circuits allow for more lights than smaller, shared circuits.
• Wattage – Low wattage LED recessed lights allow for more on each circuit.
• Manufacturer limits – Some recessed light brands limit the maximum lights per run.
• Run length – Voltage drop may restrict the number of lights on very long runs.
• Local electrical codes – May specify limits for lighting circuits and daisy chaining.

As a general guideline, here are some example capacities:

Typical Circuit Capacities

Circuit Size	Max Recessed Lights
15 amp	10 to 12 lights
20 amp	15 to 20 lights

The actual number may vary based on the wattage of the specific lights used and other factors. Always check manufacturer ratings and applicable codes when planning a daisy chained run. Exceeding limits can overload the circuit.

Distance Limitations

When daisy chaining recessed lighting, the length of the wiring run also impacts the number of lights that can be installed. Long wire distances can cause voltage drop which reduces brightness. In general:

• Runs up to 50 feet – No restrictions on light numbers from voltage drop.
• 50 to 80 feet – Voltage drop may be noticeable. Limit to 10 lights.
• Over 80 feet – Significant voltage drop expected. Recommend limiting to 6 lights spaced closer together.

These distance guidelines assume 12 gauge wire is used in the daisy chain. Using thicker 10 gauge wire allows for longer runs with less voltage drop. It’s also advisable to check recessed lighting manufacturer instructions – some specify a maximum run length. Keeping daisy chain runs on the shorter side when possible is the best way to avoid voltage drop issues.

Can I Daisy Chain Different Types of Lights?

When daisy chaining recessed lighting, all the lights in the run should be the same type and model. Mixing different kinds of lights on one daisy chain is not recommended.

There are a few reasons it is important to use the same lights:

• Wattage – Different wattages can overload the circuit when chained together.
• Dimming – Incompatible dimming can shorts or flickering.
• Light output – Varying light levels between different fixtures may look odd.
• Voltage drop – Mismatched lights can impact voltage unevenly.

Some specific scenarios where daisy chaining different lights causes problems include:

• Mixing dimmable and non-dimmable lights
• Combining fluorescent and LED lights
• Chaining daylight and soft white LEDs which look visibly different
• Pairing high wattage halogens with lower wattage LED lights

For the best performance and appearance, the same model recessed lighting should be used for each daisy chained run.

Can Recessed Lights be Daisy Chained on Separate Switches?

It is possible to daisy chain recessed lights that are controlled by separate switches as long as the wiring is planned carefully.

Here are two approaches to daisy chain recessed lighting on different switches:

Option 1: Home Runs to Each Switch

– Daisy chain lights together in a full run

– Install a junction box in the ceiling at the point where the control switches separately

– Run wires from junction box to each control switch location

Option 2: Loop Wiring

– Start daisy chain run from power source and loop it to Switch 1 location

– Travel from Switch 1 through ceiling to Switch 2 location

– Loop back to daisy chain lights after Switch 2

Either method can work as long as polarity and wiring practices are sound. The loop option minimizes junction boxes. Plan locations carefully when wiring daisy chained lights on separate switches.

Dimming Daisy Chained Recessed Lights

Recessed lights that have been daisy chained together can be dimmed, but only if the proper dimming components are used:

• Use 0-10V or ELV dimmable LED recessed lights. Other types may not dim well.
• Ensure the dimmer switch is compatible with 0-10V or ELV dimming.
• Connect dimmer wires to corresponding wires on each recessed light.
• Keep the dimmer at the beginning of the daisy chain run.

With the right dimmable lights and compatible dimmer switch, daisy chained recessed lighting can be effectively dimmed from 100% down to 10% or lower. This allows light levels to be adjusted as needed. Installing a dimmer is also a code requirement for many dining and living spaces.

Troubleshooting Daisy Chained Recessed Lights

If issues come up with daisy chained recessed lights, the problem is typically with the wiring connections or overloading the circuit. Some steps to troubleshoot issues:

• Check for loose wire connections or shorts in the daisy chain.
• Verify all lights are dimmable if a dimmer is installed.
• Make sure the circuit is not overloaded with too many lights.
• Test for voltage drop over very long runs that reduce brightness.
• Ensure polarity is maintained across the entire daisy chain loop.
• Inspect each light for issues like dead drivers or LED burnout.

Fixing any wiring problems, reducing the number of lights, or separating the run into smaller daisy chains may resolve issues. Individual lights may also need replacement if defective. Professional help from an electrician is recommended for any significant recessed lighting problems.

Recessed Lighting Daisy Chaining Tips

To successfully daisy chain recessed lights, keep these tips in mind:

• Check manufacturer instructions for any daisy chain limits or requirements.
• Plan layout carefully to keep run lengths short when possible.
• Verify sufficient power by calculating total wattage used.
• Use 14 or 12 gauge wire for lighting runs.
• Maintain proper polarity across the entire daisy chain loop.
• Allow slack in wiring at each recessed light to make connections.
• Keep lighting runs on a dedicated circuit with no other outlets.
• Follow all applicable electrical codes for your region.

Conclusion

Daisy chaining recessed lights allows for simpler, faster installation compared to individually wiring each light. However, care needs to be taken to properly plan the run, distribute load, limit length, and follow electrical codes. When the guidelines are followed, daisy chaining provides an efficient means of wiring multiple recessed lights to illuminate any space. Just be mindful of the number of lights on each circuit and avoid voltage drop over long runs.