Recessed Lighting Plan

[CR500]

Anyone know where to find guidlines about planning the layout for kitchen recessed lighting.

I'm trying to figure out the number of lights, recommended can diameter, bulb wattage, and placement.

Thanks!

[mdshunk]

What, in particular, are you lighting with them?

For cans along the counter to light work areas, you need to place centered at 18" from the wall to avoid standing in your own shadow. Other than that, we need much more information.

[scuba_dave]

Are you trying to figure out how many you need?
How far apart? Different locations?

We have a flourescent 40w light over the sink (small kitchen)
I installed (2) 23w power compact lights over the counter top
They are 24" away from the wall & approx 4' apart
The top cabinets stick out 12" from the wall
The lights I installed are 12" out from the cabinets

With a kitchen renovation I'm planning on a min of (3) of these lights over an 8' counter. This counter will border a new 225 sq ft sunroom. In addition we have a light dead center in the kitchen on an overhead fan. Then another light (lamp) on one wall plugged into a switched outlet. The power compact lights are a great way to increase light & reduce electric costs
In addition you can usually add more lights on a circuit

IE - Normal recessed can rated at 100w = 18 max on a 15a circuit (1800w)

4" PC can - dedicated 23w light bulb - it would take 78 of these to equal 1800 watts!! Maybe someone else can chime in if there is a Max number of light fixtures you can add to a circuit. Or if this is strictly by wattage of fixture

You need to provide more details on what information you are looking for

[mdshunk]

4" PC can - dedicated 23w light bulb - it would take 78 of these to equal 1800 watts!! Maybe someone else can chime in if there is a Max number of light fixtures you can add to a circuit.
In Canada, yep, there is a limit.

In the US, nope. Just the installed wattage.

[CR500]

Thanks for the info and dimensions!

I'll post the floor plan later.

I plan to use halogen in the recessed fixtures and xenon for under cabinet. Cabinets will be slightly dark cherry. Floor might also end up a bit dark so I want some bright lights to ensure it doesn't feel like a cave. I'll put the halogens on a dimmer(s). I have plenty of room in the service panel if multiple lighting circuits are needed. There will be 100" of window behind the sink, but at night that window will feel like its sucking the light out of the room. Also kicking around the idea of installing glass block in the exterior wall behind the cook top. Getting off topic, the block has poor u-factor so I'm thinking about installing a sheet of glass across the exterior.

The island will be close to center in the kitchen and will probably use two small pin-point recessed lights and two pendants.

Do the bigger cans hold higher wattage bulbs or provide a larger "cone" of illumination?

[mdshunk]

Do the bigger cans hold higher wattage bulbs or provide a larger "cone" of illumination?
Yes, and yes. Mind you, the spread of the light will also be affected by mounting height, the particular trim selected, and the lamp style (spot, flood, wide flood).

[CR500]

ok, here's the floor plan.

Mark it up with any lighting suggestions if you are so inclined.

Thanks!