How do you connect recessed pots?
By Floris / March 4, 2024
A recessed spotlight is one of the most commonly used recessed lights for general lighting in your home. You can use it to fully illuminate a room, but you can also use it to create a nice atmosphere.
Spotlights come in different shapes, sizes and with different features. Therefore, it is important to consider a few things.
Supplies
Fortunately, installing spotlights is not too difficult. With the right preparation, anyone can be an installer! Here's what you need to connect your new spotlights:
- A voltage detector
- A pencil
- A stripper
- A screwdriver
- A pencil
- A hole drill
Roadmap
In general, most lamps follow the same step-by-step process. Please note, there can always be exceptions. Review the appropriate instructions for your specific spotlight at the bottom of this page.
1. Turn off the power and read the packaging carefully
Before you start installing the recessed spotlights, turn off the power. Use a voltage detector to check that the wires are really dead. If the light on the voltage detector is not lit, there is no current on the wires.
2. Drill the holes for the spotlights in the ceiling
Determine the size of the hole in which the recessed spotlight will later be placed. The diameter of the spotlight is indicated on the packaging. A few millimeters of play doesn't matter. It is also important to check that you have enough room in the ceiling. On average, recessed spotlights have a depth of about 8-10 cm.
Cut out the holes with a hole drill. Be sure to wear protective goggles while drilling.
3. Connecting the spotlights
Now we are going to attach the electrical wires. You start by stripping the electrical wires. This means removing the plastic around the wire. Using the stripper, strip 0.5 cm of the brown and blue wire bare. The terminal block has two or three openings. Two of them are for the brown and blue wire. It does not matter which wire is connected where. In the middle is often another opening for the ground wire (the yellow-green wire). If the spotlight is grounded, attach this wire to the terminal block as well. Insert the wires into the openings and screw them on with a screwdriver.
If you plan to loop multiple spotlights through to each other, you only need to connect the first spotlight to the light point. Read more about looping recessed spotlights here.
Caution! Spotlights can get very hot if you use halogen bulbs. If the recessed spotlights are covered, they cannot dissipate their heat and a fire can result. Therefore, make sure the spotlights are not covered by insulating material.
4. Place the light sources
Finally, place the light sources in the spotlights. You usually place these in the bottom of the spotlight, sometimes in the top. Often no light source is included with the recessed spotlight. On the box of the lamp you can find what kind of light source you need. You can find and purchase the right light source on our website. Then turn the power back on.
5. Screw on the light source
Screw the spotlight bulb into the socket. Often no light source is included with the spotlights. The packaging of the spotlight will tell you what type of light source you need. Place the cap over the lamp if applicable. Then put the power back on and check that your lamp works. Voilà, you have connected your recessed spotlight yourself!
What is the difference between leaf springs and spring clips?
The main difference between clamp springs and leaf springs in recessed spotlights is how they are used to secure the spotlight to the ceiling.
- Leaf springs are placed on the recessed spotlight and are attached to the side of the spotlight. When you place the lamp in the ceiling, the leaf springs clamp onto the inside of the ceiling.
- Clamp springs are a little firmer than leaf springs and are standardly used to clamp spotlights into the ceiling. They are already on the recessed spotlights and provide a secure attachment.
In practice, clamp springs are used more often because they are more versatile and provide sufficient strength even for recessed spotlights installed in concrete ceilings. So in general, it is best to use clamp springs for installing recessed spotlights.
How many spots do you place per m2?
The number of spotlights you place per square meter can vary depending on several factors, such as the brightness you want to achieve, the height of the ceiling and the purpose of the lighting. There is no set rule for the exact number of spotlights per square meter, but here are some guidelines:
- General lighting: For general lighting in living areas, such as living rooms or bedrooms, you can place about one spotlight per 1.5 to 2 square meters.
- Accent lighting: If you use spotlights for accent lighting, such as highlighting artwork or decorative elements, a higher density may be needed. Here you can think of one spotlight per 0.5 to 1 square meter, depending on the desired emphasis.
- Functional lighting: In rooms where specific tasks are performed, such as kitchens or work areas, you may want to install more spotlights to ensure even lighting over the work area. In these cases, you can install about one spotlight per 1 square meter.
However, it is important to also consider the specifics of the room and personal preferences when determining the number of spotlights per square meter.
What distance should you keep between spots?
For individual recessed spotlights, a spacing between 80 and 150 centimeters is often taken. For recessed lighting, you need a hollow or concrete ceiling with a certain installation depth for a safe distance between the spotlight and the insulation material.
Spot spacing depends on a lot of factors. For example, you need to consider the distance between the floor and ceiling, the brightness of the lamp and the number of degrees of the light beam. Fixed spotlights are great for general lighting. There are also tiltable recessed spotlights that you can aim to add accents to your home. Spotlights emit beams of light. The width of a beam of light is measured in degrees; 8°- 10°- 24°- 36°- 48° or 60°. The larger the beam the farther the spot will shine. For general lighting, spots with a beam starting at 35° are often taken. To highlight accents, small beams are often taken.
Looping through recessed spotlights
Looping recessed spotlights is a method of connecting multiple spotlights together so they can all use the same power source. Here is a general step-by-step explanation of how this process works:
- Turn off the power: Before you begin looping through the recessed spotlights, always turn off the power to the group. This can be done by turning off the appropriate switch in the meter box.
- Strip the wires: You start by stripping the electrical wires. This means removing the plastic around the wire. Using the stripper, strip 0.5 cm of the brown and blue wire bare.
- Connect the spotlights: Screw the electrical wires to the spotlight's terminal block. Connect the brown wire to one connection terminal. Connect the blue and possibly yellow/green wire to another connection terminal. You have connection terminals with 2-3,4 or even more inputs. Depending on the number of inputs, you can connect different spots. Make sure the wires from the connection point are connected to the wires of the same color in the connection terminal. If you are going to loop the spotlights, make sure you have a cable between spot A and spot B. You connect this to the connection terminals with wires that have the same color.
- Connecting the spotlights: Once you have attached all the wires, push in the springs of the spotlight and place the recessed spotlight in the hole.
- Test the connection: Finally, place the light sources in the spotlights. Once you've screwed in the light sources, turn the power back on and check that your recessed spotlights work. It's smart to do this one spot at a time, that way you can be sure you connected each spot correctly or where the fault is.
Note! LED light sources are the most durable and also do not get hot. Spotlights can get very hot if you use halogen bulbs. If the recessed spotlights are covered, they cannot dissipate their heat and a fire can occur. Therefore, make sure the spotlights are not covered with insulating material and keep enough distance.