Wherever you have cabinets, you have hidden light curtains, which means the countertops underneath those cabinets may not get the light you need for things like reading recipes or chopping vegetables. . One of the best ways to make sure you have enough light where you need it is to install extra lights underneath the cabinets. However, choosing theright one for you can be overwhelming with so many options. Don’t worry; we’ll help you determine which lighting system might work best for you and your kitchen needs.

Types of under-cabinet lighting

Like all home lighting systems, under-cabinet lights come in various options; Some will be better in certain homes than others. Knowing what’s best for you and your home can save you time and money regarding installation costs

Battery-powered under cabinet light.

These lights are available in afew different forms, such as a strip or under-cabinet lights; Battery-powered under cabinet lighting has several key benefits. First and foremost, you can install them anywhere. Another advantage that can also be considered a disadvantage: is the battery. Since these lights are battery-powered, they will still work during power outages. But the batteries fail, so you may not have light when you want it or when you need it.

Hard-wired LED under cabinet light.

The hardwired lighting system underneath the cabinet allows you to connect lights to a switch, giving you easy control over your lights. Hardwired lighting also makes it easier to hide wires as they will connect to existing circuitry in the kitchen wall. The only challenge with hardwired lighting is that while most people can install battery-powered or plugin lights, it requires specialized knowledge. Therefore, the installation of hardwired luminaires will need to be done by a trained electrician to ensure it is done correctly and safely.

Is the LED under the cabinet dimmable?

Yes, if you already have a dimmer, your LED can be operated using an existing switch. Some even come with a remote that allows you to dim and brighten the lights remotely. One significant advantage of using LED lights under your cabinets is the option of connecting them to an existing innovative home system. Using your smart home app, this function gives you options to turn your lights on and off with your voice and access them remotely (when you’re not at home).

Plugin under cabinet light

This lighting option offers a good balance between battery and hardwires options. The plugin system can be used anywhere you have access to an existing store. And you don’t need to worry about battery replacement. As long as the power remains on, you have the lights. However, this option means that the light will take up one of your existing sockets, which you might need for a countertop device. Another option is to add a few extra outlets to your kitchen (not a bad idea anyway).

How bright should the cabinet light be?

Cabinets for most kitchen tasks. Brightness will depend on the type of lamp/bulb you use (incandescent, halogen, LED, etc.) For example, an incandescent bulb that produces 400 lumens (38 watts) will provide adequate illumination under bright light. However, if your under-cabinet lighting is primarily an accent instead of a utility light, you can use a lower light fixture.

Is it possible to convert a light switch into an outlet?

Yes, you can convert light switches to electrical outlets. However, since sockets and light switches have different functions, the wiring for one or the other will be so different that you should trust a licensed electrician, such as Mr. Electric, to handle the project.

How would an electrician change a switch into an electrical outlet?

Your first two options are to decide whether to keep the switch and how you want the new outlet to behave. While you may not use an existing light switch very often and think an outlet would better suit your needs, getting rid of the light switch entirely may not be the best course of action. . Luckily, you don’t have to decide between an outlet or a button, as you have options that give you both an outlet and a switch. You can either have an electrician wire it to the outlet so that the switch controls it, or the socket can operate independently of the button.

The inherent dangers of working with electricity and the possibility of wiring the wrong outlet are unnecessary risks. Anything related to wiring is not a good candidate for a do-it-yourself home project. Here’s how Mr. Your local electric will install an outlet where your light switch is located:

Know which circuit the switch is on and turn off the power to avoid electric shock.

Remove the switch from the wall and label the wires connected to the controller. The rule of thumb for wire color coding is that the red and black wires will be live wires while the white wires will be neutrals, but it’s possible other colors could be used.

Connect the wires to the appropriate connectors on the outlet. All cables must be adequately attached for the switch to work correctly. This is what a trained professional can do for you. A potential problem can arise if the person installing the switch initially misconnects the wires; if you repeat what you did before, you will have the same faulty wiring.

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