Cabinet lighting is a great addition to any kitchen. You can illuminate dark corners inside any cabinet, plus add a great accent light in the form of under cabinet lighting. Wiring a light kit is an easy task if you have some basic electrical skills. Here are some tips on how to hook up cabinet lighting.
The first thing to do is plan the layout of the circuit. If you have cabinets on more than one wall, you may need to branch the circuits. Be sure not to add lighting to any high-load circuits like the microwave or refrigerator. If you have a spare spot in your electrical panel, then it’s worth adding a 20 amp ground fault protected circuit.
Run 12-gauge copper wire from your electrical box through the attic, then drop it down the wall where the lights will be on.
Use a drywall saw and cut out a new outlet. Install a regular 2-way light switch and wire it to the new circuit.
The next step is to install the lights. Put lights inside and under cabinets. You can find built-in cabinet lighting kits at any hardware store. All you need are a few nails and you can staple them into place.
For under cabinet lights, cut a small hole in the bottom rear of a cabinet and run the electrical wire through it.
Drill a hole in the back of the inside of the cabinet and in the wall behind it. You will need a helper for the next part.
Have your helper drop a fishnet through the wall. Once you can reach the tape, feed it through the hole and tie the electrical wire. Have the helper pull the entire bundle of wires through the hole.
Now it’s your turn to go fishing.
Use the fish tape on the electrical cutout you made earlier. Send it through the wall so your helper can tie the new cabinet lighting electrical wires to the tape. Pull the tape back across the wall.
Cut any excess wire and connect the wires to the load side of the light switch. Now you can button the accessory.
The last step is to reconnect the light switch to your electrical panel. Make sure the power is off at the main disconnect before you begin! There are lethal voltages present.
Route the wire through the electrical panel and connect to the 20 amp break. All you need to do now is snap the break into place on the panel.
Turn power back on and energize the new circuit. All that’s left to do is try out your new lights. How to wire cabinet lighting is not that difficult. All it takes is a little time, a helper, and some planning. Once you’re done, you’ll have a great new feature that will brighten up your kitchen and your life.