Positioning your spotlights is something that needs some careful consideration. In a kitchen they should be positioned over the worktop so that they don’t cast a shadow when you’re preparing food; typical kitchen units will be 600mm wide so you should keep within this distance from the wall ideally. If you don’t have a laser level you can easily hire one. If not then you will need to measure and mark out from each wall and use a spirit level. Get an extra pair of hands for this, you’ll need them! As the name suggests, these types of downlights are actually plastered into the ceiling to create a much more contemporary and minimal look and feel. Despite the fact that they are essentially permanently fitted into the ceiling, bulbs can still be easily changed in the unlikely (with modern LED bulbs) event they fail.

These are the most basic and cheapest type of downlight and represent the most versatile type as they can be used in a variety of locations and rooms, except really for any of the special locations e.g. bathrooms and the likes where they would require an IP rating to prevent any water ingress. Height – This is the height of the lighting unit; there are low profile lights if you have limited space above your ceiling Also, the functionality of the lights is important, whether they will be used to complement the décor, as ambient light or for utility purposes. These considerations will determine the bulbs’ wattage, colour and temperature.Once it’s been fully tested he will then issue you a minor works certificate to prove all has been done to the regulations standard! Now we’ve got the important safety information out the way, let’s get on with the rest of the information. Types of Downlights Hold the spring clips against the sides of the light. The base of your downlight will have spring-loaded metal clips that snap open when they’re released. Grab the spring clips from underneath and push them up so they lie flush with the base of the light. Keep holding them down so they don’t snap open while you’re trying to install the light. [15] X Research source

Yes, you can replace old downlights with an LED alternative. However, getting an electrician to do the changeover from halogen to LEDs is advisable. If you're not knowledgeable about lighting and electrics, leaving it to the professionals to guarantee correct and safe installation is better. You can instead do the replacement of the LED bulbs once your fixture is already transitioned to an LED one. I take it this all falls under the Part P in which case does the certifier need to have access to everything such as under the floorboards? Typical heights for 80mm cut out lights are in the region of 75 – 110mm typically, although it is possible to find “low profile” models should space be really tight. Multiply by a lighting factor – 1.5 for a living room or 2.5 for an area which needs more light like a kitchen for example – e.g. 120 ft2 X 1.5 = 180 Watts Once you know where each downlighter will be fitted, then you should drill a small pilot hole at the centre of each light position.In terms of the size of hole, there are three key dimensions that you need to make a note of for fitting your lights: You don’t want him or her turning up and stating that you have the wrong type for the area they are to be fitted in. IP20 Downlights I've done quite a bit of research (not to mention I've done it before many years ago but can't remember a bloomin' thing!) but can't quite find the exact and non-conflicted answers but hope you can answer them: If you would like to know more about how lighting circuits are wired up then see our project on wiring lighting circuits here. Use a hole saw to cut through your ceiling. Hold the blade of the saw so it’s perpendicular to the ceiling and the middle bit sits on the mark you made. Pull the trigger on the drill to start the hole saw and apply light pressure so the middle bit goes into the ceiling. Make sure the saw blade stays flat so you don’t cut your hole crooked. Pull the trigger in short bursts to work through your ceiling until you feel the saw pop out from the other side. [8] X Research source

Cut out – This is the size of the hole you need to cut in the ceiling to insert the light. This dimension is normally provided on the box containing the light or stated in the instructionsHow have you managed to buy new light fittings without all of the components for the wiring and lamps? Additionally when selecting your lights, make sure that the actual construction materials are suitable for placing outdoors e.g. they are plastic, stainless steel etc. to ensure they don’t rust or degrade too badly. IP65 Downlights Downlight Covers & Loft Caps - If you want to cover your downlights with thermal insulation and your downlights aren't insulation coverable, these handy loft lids are a great solution

It is typical to have the spots spaced at between 1.2 m (4ft) and 1.5 m (5ft) as this gives a more than suitable level of light, but this is entirely up to you, and people tend to suggest it is better to have more rather than less, as you can zone the lighting with switches or have a dimmer switch to tone it down if necessary. Often there is a template to mark out the size of the circle you need to cut out, however if not you can either draw the right size with a pair of compasses and pencil or use the correct sized hole saw guided by the pilot drill bit at the centre. How many downlights you will need is dependent on your personal preference, first and foremost. In addition, you need to assess how large the room is as well as what the purpose of the room is. The size of the room in terms of the ceiling height and the height of the lighting fixtures are also things that you need to consider. The reason for this is that they will affect the impact this fixture will have on the room(s).

Should the Downlights be Fire Rated?

In essence, a downlight is a light fitting that illuminates in a downward direction to specifically brighten an area directly below. They are most commonly recessed into the ceiling, so you only see a small part of the fitting below the ceiling. Does the ceiling form part of a fire barrier? - If it does then fire rated fittings are indicated, or a last resort fire hoods again if indicated. Maintain manufacturers fitting clearances.