How to Install Under-Cabinet Puck Lights
- 1). Determine where you want the lights to be placed. Under-cabinet lighting is designed to provide working and accent lighting, so the light fixtures should be spaced closely enough to illuminate the area with a consistent and even lighting. A good rule of thumb is to space the puck lights 12 to 18 inches apart. Many standard kitchen cabinets are 18 inches wide, so centering one puck light under each cabinet often is ideal.
- 2). Mark the mounting locations for your puck lights. Center the puck lights front to back underneath your cabinets using a ruler, and then make a pencil mark at the front edge of each puck light. Divide the width of the puck light, and make a mark equal to that distance behind the mark you just made. This is where the center of the puck light will be.
- 3). Mount the puck light housings. Puck lights have a housing that is mounted to your cabinet or other surface, and a light fixture that mounts inside this. The housing is usually held onto the underside of the cabinet with one or two screws that come with the puck light. Tap a small hole in the underside of the cabinet with a finishing nail for each screw, and then mount the housing in place with the screw(s). Use the markings you made in Step 2 as guides to the placement of the housings. Each housing will have an opening for the power wiring--make sure this opening is in the back of the housing as you look at it. This will keep the wires out of sight more effectively.
- 4). Cut your wiring to length. You'll determine the length of your wiring by measuring the distance from light to light, and from the first light to the power source, with a ruler or tape measure. Take into account the path the wires will have to follow when you measure. Puck lights are wired in series--one attached to the next, all leading to a single power source. Cut the power wires to the proper lengths, and attach the plugs supplied with your puck lights to the wires. The type of plug and the way it connects to the wire depend on the brand of lights. Read the owner's manual for specific instructions.
- 5). Mount your lights into the housings, following your light's specific instructions, and connect the power wiring. Use cable staples or guides to hold the wires in place under the cabinets.
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