What type/size of wire should I use for ceiling light?
- on 12.01.09
- Ceiling Light
- 4 Comments
- Digg
- Del.icio.us
Hi, I want to install ceiling light at my condo. There’s not existing ceiling light box. I plan to run a wire from the wall outlet to the celing light. The wire I bought is 14/2. It’s so big and doesn’t look good on the wall and the ceiling. Can I use a smaller wire? What size should I use? Thanks.
Get an electrician to come do it. Obviously from what you’ve done so far, it looks like crap, and I would guarantee no matter what you do it will look like crap and be unsafe.
umm …you run the wires thru the ceiling…. not on it
References :
1st of all, the wire should be fished thru the wall and ceiling, not ran on the outside. The size of the wire depends on the wattage of the light, but should not be smaller than 14/2. Also, make sure you ground it correctly!
An alternative would be to use low voltage lighting. You can than use a smaller gauge wire.
Good luck!
References :
You will need Surface mount raceway materials. The face of the outlet you intend to tap can be extended out and encloseable raceway can be attached and routed up the wall and across the ceiling surface to the light fixture. 14 Gauge wire will work on a normal 15 AMP lighting circuit but because you are tapping an outlet it is a different situation. Outlets are usually on a 20 AMP circuit with 12 Gauge wire and you will need to continue with 12 Gauge. Use individual strands of wire not NM jacketed cable like ROMEX. You will need a Black or Colored for Hot, a White for Neutral,and a Green for Ground.
References :
Get an electrician to come do it. Obviously from what you’ve done so far, it looks like crap, and I would guarantee no matter what you do it will look like crap and be unsafe.
References :