Many people are choosing to renovate their older Sarasota home rather than moving to a new place. Because older homes in this area tend to have lower ceilings and be quite dark, homeowners want to open their space up and add lighting to brighten the atmosphere. Recessed lighting gives you diverse options and versatile possibilities in every room of the house – it can provide the primary source of illumination, or be installed over a focal point of interest. They are an excellent choice for discreet under cabinet lighting, as well as rooms which may need variable levels of light. However, even though recessed lighting is popular, convenient and versatile, there are a few common problems that you should be aware of before installation.
The best way to avoid installation problems when it comes to lighting is to work with a professional master electrician.
Common Problems with Recessed Lighting
- Sagging Trim: Recessed lighting can beautifully illuminate a room, but if the trim is not installed correctly, its dramatic aesthetic impact may fade. The sleek and streamlined look of the trim around the fixture can be damaged when it sags or loosens. Because of this, the fixture can be exposed and become a hazard via electrical problems or fire risk, and may even permit drafts to infiltrate your residence. Identify sagging early by inspecting trim and look for a wavy look, which is caused by the springs holding the trim becoming stretched. This situation can be rectified by turning off the power supplying electricity to the light at the circuit breaker. Remove the trim and light cover by unfastening the springs. Replace damaged spring with new springs of equal size, and then re-install the cover or light trim.
- Lights Shutting Off on their Own: Because of its contained design, recessed lighting runs the danger of overheating. A limit switch is installed to prevent any dangerous overheating, and will shut down the light if the temperature gets to high. The switch also will turn the light back on when the fixture cools. If your recessed lighting frequently shuts down, indicating overheating it may be for several reasons; a bulb may be installed incorrectly or the fixture may be in contact with insulation in the ceiling. Be sure to check whether the wattage of the bulb is compatible with the installed fixture. If this is the case, you can replace the bulb yourself. Another possibility is a failing limit switch, a situation which you may wish to call an local electrician to rectify.
- Blown Bulb or Socket: It is common for a light bulb to eventually die or become damaged. If the light fixture isn’t working correctly, look to see if the bulb has any gray or black spots – these identify a blown bulb. If this is the problem, it is obviously an easy one to fix. However, if the bulb seems intact – or the replacement bulb doesn’t light up either – the socket may have blown. A faulty socket will sometimes emit a low buzzing sound if it is damaged. Even without that sound, if you find that the lights are burning out too quickly, you probably have a damaged socket which needs to be replaced.To repair a damaged socket, switch the power off and completely remove the trim. You can then remove the socket. First, unscrew the fasteners attaching the socket to the fixture. Be sure to notice and remember the connections of each wire; you should see two black wires and two white wires. With the trim re-installed and power back on, the fixture should work as intended.
- Lights are Blinking: If your recessed lighting is blinking, there may be a problem with the thermal protection device. Once you switch the power off, access the top of the recessed fixture (either from the attic or crawlspace). The thermal protection device typically looks like a thin black cylinder or a small silver disc which is connected to the wiring junction device. Disconnect both wires to remove the device and replace it an identical one, from a hardware or big box home store. This project can be done by the homeowner if they feel comfortable doing so.
When to Contact Promise Electric
If you are experiencing any of the problems described above, contact Promise Electric for assistance. Our Sarasota area master electricians are experts at fixing any and all electrical issues efficiently and safely.
