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AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interupter)
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UnderCounter & Task Lighting
Under Counter Lighting can be accomplished Many different ways. Here we will discuss a couple of options and look at a couple of brands we trust. Under Counter Lights come 5 Ways.
Fluorescent UC Strips From an initial cost perspective fluorescent is probably both the cheapest to install and the most cost effective to operate. Although there are many brands that produce these lights, I use Lithonia Lighting fixtures. Lithonia produces Fixtures in 12" 21" 24" 33" and 42" lengths. The Length of your fixture would depend on the length of the cabinet you are installing it on. Most of these type fixtures can be wired from fixture to fixture if you have a long row of cabinets that you are installing on. (If this is the case, then you only need to stub out of the wall once for each bank of cabinets. If this is not the case you will have to wire a stub out per each fixture you intend to install.) Either Way, The wire you use has to be protected from physical damage and that usually means using metal flex or MC Cable. The Down side to this approach is a more industrial look than what most people want in the Kitchen and alot of wire mounted to the surface of you cabinets. Below are Links to 2 of Lithonia's UC Lighting lines.
T5 Ultra slim Fixtures T8 Slim Fixtures
Puck Lights (Disc Lights) Puck Lights also Refered to as Disk Lights can be tricky to install. The wire Lead that comes off the Puck light isn't "In Wall Rated Wire", which means any puck lighting wiring has to be done on the surface of cabinets and remain accessible. For this reason I usually avoid using Puck Lights as under counter lighting. Although if you have cabinets over an eating area or in an alcove where you can build a false bottom onto the cabinet then I would use a Puck Light. You Wire your system in regular Romex (wall rated Wire) and junction from romex to the Puck Light wire in the Void of the False Bottom. (This is for Low Voltage systems only.) All Line Voltage Systems must use a proper junction box for terminating wires.
Example of above Description White Puck/Disk Light
My Brand for Puck Lighting is Seagull Lighting Co. They come in White, Black & Brushed Nickel, can be surface mounted or in the above example flush mounted and you can also purchase various glass diffusers and Trims to get the look you want. 12V, 24V or 120V options are availible depending on manufacturer.
Halogen / Xenon Box Lights There are many varieties of Halogen Box Lights on the market, by an equal variety of Manufacturers. Not to say that any one company is better than another, though my experience with most off the shelf brands are limited options Poor design for some and not of the best quality or workmanship. The Brands I chose to use are Lithonia, Kichler and Seagull lighting.
Low Voltage Linear Under Counter Lights Coming Shortly
LED Linear Under Counter lights Coming Shortly
Installed Cost Comparison This is the Installed cost comparison of each lighting style we've discussed in this article. Labor rates may vary do to individual company rates and local code requirements. (Please consult your local Code enforcement office or a Licenced Electrician for local codes. If in Washington State, contact your local Labor & Industries office or City Hall/ Building Dept. for more info.) My Comparison is Based on the Kitchen Layout below consisting of 22.5' of Counter space. All of my Prices will be examples using this space.
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