Submitted by postscriptum114 t3_zzd63t in DIY
I am wanting to replace an old under-cabinet light fixture that is above our kitchen sink. I couldn’t find any advice on how this would be done best. The wiring currently just runs from the wall, through the bottom of the cabinet through a hole that looks like it was drilled. There is no electrical box.
Photos: https://imgur.com/a/MfRPNQg
Welp, that's a fire hazard. The connection should be made in a box.
The old fixture supplied the splice chamber. He just has to buy a new fixture that is meant to be surface mounted and has a splice chamber. Whatever the fuck is under that black tape needs to be ripped out and replaced.
What's the original build date of the house? That would tell us what kind of conductors could be back there. That taped splice is a big issue. All connections have to be made inside a junction box with approved connectors (wire nuts or wago type).
I found this guys channel useful for my under cupboard lighting https://youtu.be/9xhz75he0_s
Many light fixtures function as an electrical box, including under cabinet/sink lights. You can find a line voltage LED fixture, install a wire clamp and wire up the fixture inside the sealed portion of the fixture and be OK.
If it works you can just put a piece of trim above the sink to hide it
I would not leave that taped spliced connection personally.
Probably not even wire nutted, I bet those were just hand twisted and taped lol
Classic case disproving the idiom “if it works it’s not stupid”. It probably works but is still stupid.
“If it’s stupid and it works then it’s not stupid… until it burns your house down or electrocutes someone”
When I bought my house 26 years ago the previous owners had cut the female end off of a standard extension cord, spliced it to the ceiling fan, and then used thumb tacks to run the cord along a beam and down the wall to an outlet. (Yes, the thumb tacks went right through the cord, between the two wires....)
They in hell already, or going there yet?
They spliced the female end to the ceiling fan?
is the feed from a proper connection in a box or is it just plugged in somewhere? The connection point at the fixture is easily remedied provided the supply was done correctly.
Pop in a 6 inch LED replacement unit. Made by Halo or Globe and the big box stores have them. All you have to do is cut the hole for it and wire the power in the provided circuit box.
I would recommend getting a HALO MicroEdge Direct Mount Downlight. It's only half an inch thick, so it will take up barely any room in the cabinet, and it comes with the junction box you'll need to hide that nasty electrical tape splice.
Assuming you just want it center… Get a metal receptacle and the light fixture your putting on…first turn off the power to your house, or designated part of the house…drill a hole center and big enough for your receptacle, strip your wires if needed, than run them through the receptacle. Secure the receptacle in place and if you can pull some slack enough to secure the wire safely out of place.. now get your fixture, wire accordingly, color wires can vary were you live, secure your fixture to receptacle put in light bulb, and your done… just how i would do so anyways, not sure if thats what you asked for lol
I couldn't view the pics, imgur doesn't work on my device, but I've got some professional experience installing undercabinet and also regular, socket lights that's probably helpful here. I would NOT ever put a regular fixture above a sink, could be pretty dangerous if it gets really wet and is very probably a code violation (water+power=no bueno.) That said, it's dirt simple and cheap to do this RIGHT, needs just 3-4 tools and 2-3 parts, and afaik It's 100% legal to do it yourself anywhere in North America. Get a proper, waterproof/wet location junction box you can hide in the cabinet (we would put ours in the top, back corner of the lowest, closest cabinet and screw it into the WALL where the wires won't pinch or bend too hard coming out) and a prettier, waterproof, led light for in there. Lights can be had from Amazon for a song these days, just ensure it says waterproof or outdoors and has sold many units (thousands+.) Then watch at least 3 different YouTube videos detailing the steps to install it. I strongly advise you to break the project down a little when you go looking for vids and be as specific as possible in finding a good match for what you're doing and the products used, watch some waterproof junction box install vids, install yours, watch some (insert model or type of prettier light purchased here) install vids and do yours.
> ...but I've got some professional experience installing...
If you are not an electrician, please do not call it 'professional experience' just because someone paid you to do it. Handyman special at best since you do not speak of being code compliant.
Looks like a 110v fixture/feed. Test that w a meter. I’d put a plastic junction box on it and go from there. If ALL of the succeeding conduit can be seen/accessed you can use plastic/metal conduit w romex in it switch leg/feed respectively. Depending on local code. Some won’t allow romex and demand non-cable wire. If you end up needing to bury it code probably calls for metal/armored conduit.
They make the light that has the battery and you can press on the light and it turn on
Kaosinor t1_j2axql6 wrote
It is hard wired, but from the electrical tape probably incorrectly. It is basically installed the same as any light fixture. I would add an electrical box and do it properly. There are plenty of videos to help.