How Easy It Is To Install A Spotlight In A Plasterboard Ceiling

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-24 22:24

Types of ceiling lights
Installation requirements for luminaires
Installation process of spotlights
Connection and installation of lamps
Useful Tips
Conclusion

Spots, they are also spotlights, are an ideal device for installation in suspended ceiling structures, especially if the latter are sheathed with plasterboard sheets. By itself, the suspended structure already reduces the height of the ceiling in the room, therefore, the installation of lamps in drywall, which are installed at the level of the suspended surface, does not further reduce the height, and LED models allow installation in small spaces.

Types of ceiling lights

Luminaires for drywall are several varieties that differ from each other in the types of lamps, the voltage consumed and the installation method. As for the last criterion, there are two positions: built-in and overhead.

recessed - these are lighting devices, the technical part of which is located between the plasterboard and the base ceiling surface, and the decorative one is below the ceiling from the gypsum board;
overheads are installed on the surface of the plasterboard ceiling, and the method of fixing them is practically no different from installing a chandelier.

In addition, the luminaires for plasterboard ceilings are structurally different in other qualities:

single and block;
rotary and fixed.

Regarding the lamps, it should be noted that all types of lighting elements are present in these light sources:

incandescent lamps;
halogen;
LED;
luminescent energy saving.

According to the voltage consumed, the luminaires are mainly divided into two groups: 220, 24 and 12 V. Installation of luminaires in drywall (halogen) for 24 and 12 V requires the presence of a step-down transformer, which is mounted in the ceiling space. Today, LED lamps are becoming more and more popular.

Installation requirements for luminaires

The location of ceiling lamps built into drywall on the ceiling itself is not limited by any rules and requirements. That is, the configuration can be very different. But most often the devices are positioned so that the lighting in the room is full or partial. Therefore, designers use three schemes:

In rows perpendicular to the wall on which the window is located. In this case, the distance from the wall to the first device should not be less than 60 cm. And the step of installing the rows is 1 m.
Staggered. The requirements are the same here.
Installation of spotlights in drywall is carried out on the periphery. That is, point light sources in this case act as additional lighting of the space. The main device here is a chandelier.

All three schemes are quite simple and universal, but, as practice shows, today they are often not used. Since there are no restrictions in the arrangement of spotlights, there are a huge number of variations in this case. This is especially true for plasterboard ceilings, built in two tiers.

Installation process of spotlights

First of all, it is planned according to what scheme the installation will be carried out. Experienced craftsmen draw a diagram on paper, determine on a scale the distances between the devices and their exact location on the ceiling. Then cancel the places on the ceiling with crosses where the lamp will be located, this is necessary in order for the ceiling.

Next, the wires (cables) are wired. This step must be carried out after assembling a frame made of metal profiles on the ceiling. Although some craftsmen do the wiring first and then assemble the frame. But in this case, you will have to first determine the installation locations of direct suspensions, applying marks on the ceiling surface taking into account the distance between the fasteners. Because it may happen that the wire ends up under the gimbal attachment point. And this cannot be done in any way.

There is a second difficulty in wiring for ceiling lamps embedded in drywall, before installing the frame. The wires (cables) will have to be fixed to the base ceiling. And this is additional costs for fasteners and time spent. While laying wires along the assembled frame is a simple attachment to suspensions using an insulated strand of the wire itself in a twisted form.

In any case, the cables must be routed by passing them through a corrugated installation hose. This is an additional protection that increases the service life of the wires.

Before starting the wiring, it is necessary to mark the location of the lamps on the ceiling.

The connection scheme can be serial or parallel. In the latter case, there can be several parallel sections, depending on how the lamps will be turned on in groups. This is at the discretion of the customer.

As for the cable (the choice of its section). There is no need to calculate this parameter taking into account the power consumption. The best option is a cross-section of 1.5 mm² PVA. It is better to purchase soft copper wire. Find out the best ways to connect stranded wires.

Connection and installation of lamps

After the wiring, plasterboard sheets are installed on the constructed frame. Then again, now on the plasterboard ceiling, the locations of the lighting fixtures are indicated. They need to make holes for the light source.

Please note that even at the stage of the formation of the distribution scheme of the luminaires on the ceiling surface, it is necessary to strictly take into account so that the lighting device does not fall on the metal frame element. Because in this case it is not possible to carry out the installation, the metal profile will simply interfere with the installation.

There is one subtle point here - the diameter of the plasterboard spotlights must match the diameter of the hole in the ceiling. The manufacturer must indicate the first parameter on the box (packaging), but it is better to check it.

Therefore, this dimension is applied to the plasterboard ceiling in the places where the devices are installed. For this it is better to use a compass. Now you need to cut the holes according to the markings. There are several ways to do this:

The easiest way is to drill holes with a drill, on which a crown with a diameter equal to the diameter of the circle drawn on the ceiling is installed.
Through holes are drilled around the circumference with a small drill with a step of 1-1.5 cm. After that, a piece of drywall is simply pressed inward. True, the edges of the hole will have to be finished with a sharp knife or jigsaw.
You can use a ballerina. To do this, the cutter is set to the radius of the hole.

It remains only to pull the wires out of the cut holes and connect the lamps to them.

There are a lot of connection methods, or rather, the devices with which the connection is made. The simplest, but also reliable, are terminal blocks with clamping screws or modern WAGO terminals.

The wires from the lighting fixture must be inserted into it from one side, clamping them with screws, the supply wiring from the other side.

It remains only to install the fixtures in the plasterboard ceiling. The design of the devices has special clamping strips (antennae), which are spring-loaded on one side. That is, in the free state, they are turned outward, respectively, protrude beyond the technical part of the device. That is, the spread of the antennae is greater than the cut diameter of the hole in the plasterboard ceiling. Therefore, the mounting strips must be pressed down in order to push them into the hole.

Sometimes it is not easy to do this with your hands, because the drywall itself interferes. Therefore, experienced craftsmen do this - they tie the antennae together with wire, and after installing the spotlight in the drywall, they cut it with pliers or pliers. The antennae are straightened under the action of the springs, resting on the outside of the ceiling, preventing the lamp from falling.

Some recessed plasterboard ceiling luminaires are collapsible. That is, the decorative part is disconnected from the technical one. Therefore, the sequence of installation work is slightly different here:

The device is being disassembled.
The technical part is installed in the plasterboard ceiling, that is, in the hole, in the same way as in the above case.
The device is connected to the power cable, which is pulled out through the cartridge. Then the wire is recessed back.
The decorative part is attached to the technical one.

Useful Tips

Several recommendations to help you avoid mistakes in the process of choosing and installing spotlights in drywall.

Incandescent lamps are no longer used in this type of appliance. Among other types, it is necessary to take into account the ratio of the optimal price and the minimum power consumption of electricity. In this regard, energy-saving lamps are best. LEDs use less current, but they are very expensive. There are many problems with halogen - a transformer is required, they often burn out.
The connection of the cable outlet from the main loop to the built-in lamps in plasterboard is made by soldering. It is better to refuse twisting. You can use nut-type terminal blocks.
When carrying out an electrician, the general power supply of the house or apartment must be turned off.
After connection, but before installing recessed ceiling lights in drywall, it is necessary to check them for working condition. The current is simply supplied to devices. If one of them does not catch fire, you need to find the reason and fix it.
In damp rooms, waterproof models are mounted.
The selection of luminaires in terms of power is selected taking into account that the entire system and the ceiling do not overheat, ideally these are LED lamps

Conclusion

With the seeming complexity of installing ceiling lamps built into drywall, even a beginner will master this process. The main thing is to accurately follow the sequence of operations carried out and competently approach the choice of lighting devices and their installation. In addition, watch the video selection.