What are the types of under cabinet lighting?
The main types of under cabinet lighting are LED strips, LED bars and puck lights, and each can be plug-in or hardwired. Plug-in kits run off an outlet, while hardwired fixtures connect to the home's wiring through a switch or dimmer.
LED strips give an even line of light, bars are sturdier and puck lights give spots. All are low profile, which suits a kitchen where counters are close to the cabinets.
Think about where the adapter and any wiring will live. A hidden outlet inside the cabinet or above it keeps the counter free of cords, and it keeps the adapter out of reach of spills. Warm white is a safe choice. Take your time and check twice.
Color temperature matters. Warm white feels cozy, while cooler white looks crisp and shows food more truthfully. Choose one color and keep it consistent.
Can I install plug-in under cabinet lighting myself?
You can install plug-in under cabinet lighting yourself because it mounts with clips or adhesive and plugs into an outlet. Make sure the surface is clean, the cord is routed neatly and the adapter is not overloaded or hidden where it can overheat.
Cords on the backsplash can look messy, and a switch on the cord is often awkward to reach. That is the main reason people move to hardwired lights.
If the kitchen is being remodeled anyway, ask the electrician about adding an outlet inside the cabinet to hide the adapter. That small addition makes a plug-in kit look nearly as clean as a hardwired one. Cord clips keep wires tidy. Take your time and check twice.
Never run a cord through a wall or cabinet in a way that pinches it, and never plug a lighting kit into an outlet that is warm, discolored or loose.
What does hardwired under cabinet lighting involve?
Hardwired under cabinet lighting involves running cable to the fixtures, typically from a nearby circuit and a switch, and connecting everything in approved boxes. It gives a clean look with no visible cords, but it needs a licensed electrician. Plan on a licensed electrician for that.
The cable often runs through the wall or cabinet, which means drilling, fishing wire and sometimes opening drywall. Kitchens already have heavy loads, so an electrician checks the circuit can handle the new lights.
Each added light counts against the circuit it ties into, and kitchen circuits already feed small appliances, so the load needs checking. Low-power LEDs help, but the circuit still deserves a look first. A tester at the outlet is the quickest check. Take your time and check twice.
Stop and call right away if you find old wiring, a burning smell or a breaker that trips when the lights are on.
Where should the switch go for under cabinet lights?
The switch for under cabinet lights should go where you can reach it easily, such as beside the existing kitchen switches or at the end of the counter. A dimmer is a nice upgrade, as long as it matches the LED lights.
Smart switches and remotes are also an option. Which one fits depends on the wiring in the box, so having the box checked before buying saves a return trip.
Think about the wall space under the cabinets too, because a switch plate placed where the backsplash tile goes is far easier to plan before the tile is set. Tell the electrician about any tile plans. Wall space for the switch should be planned early, before cabinet trim goes up. A dimmer is a good addition, if the lights support it.
Placing the switch with the other kitchen controls keeps things tidy and avoids dangling cords.
When should I hire an electrician for under cabinet lighting?
Hire an electrician for under cabinet lighting when you want hardwired fixtures, a new switch, or lights that connect to existing circuits. A licensed electrician makes safe connections, hides the wiring and checks the circuit before anything is turned on.
Kitchen remodels are a common time for this work, because the cabinets and walls are already open.
It is also a good time to look at the outlets nearby. A kitchen with a flickering light or a tripping breaker is far easier to fix while the walls and cabinets are open and accessible. Test everything. Take your time and check twice.
Vortech installs hardwired under cabinet lighting along with other kitchen and home lighting. Vortech Air-Conditioning & Electrical is the licensed electrician to call in Glendale, Peoria, Sun City, Sun City West and Surprise, and jobs like this are usually a quick visit.
More questions: Ceiling Fans and Lighting: 12 Most Asked Questions Answered