No hardwire for installing cabinet lights

Having trouble with installing hardwired under cabinet lighting?

If you’re planning adding under cabinet lighting, you can forget about hardwired lights with electric wires all around that dominated the scene for decades. Today’s options are much more simple and also energy efficient than pucks and are much more streamlined — and also brighter and more consistent — than the old cabinet lights.

So, what options we have now for easier installation? The answer will be Plug-in Under Cabinet Lighting.

The old way to install hardwired under cabinet lighting.

In traditional way to install under cabinet lighting, you probably need a man to do it for you, and all the troubles you have to deal with hiring a worker in your house is never easy.

Or you want to try DIY with your own tools at home. You probably need some drill, hacksaw, jigsaw,voltage tester, wire cutter and other tools. It may not be easy to find all of them if you are not professional at electricity.

Plug-in under cabinet lights are the most popular choice when you’re simply adding lights to a kitchen (not during a remodel). Installation is quick and easy and doesn’t require an electrician or really any electrical knowledge. Since most kitchens have lots of outlets along the backsplash, there’s usually a convenient outlet to plug into, and many fixtures can be linked so you only need one plugged-in cord.

Let’s see what is the difference between installing hardwired under cabinet lighting and plug-in under cabinet lighting?

How much cost for installing hardwired under cabinet lighting: 

Time:  Multiple Days

Complexity:  Intermediate

Cost:  $101–250

How much cost for installing Plug-in under cabinet lighting: 

Time:  30 Minutes

Complexity:  Super Easy

Cost:  $15–50

It’s very plain plug-in under cabinet lights should be a better solution for add extra lighting when you don’t want cost more. Now, you only need 5 steps to finish the installation all by yourself.

How to install plug-in under cabinet lighting?

1. Plan your layout.Where do you want your lights to go? For even illumination, linear fixtures should cover the length of your cabinets, while puck lights should be spaced 6-10″ apart. Find where the screws attach to each fixture and mark where they’ll land on the cabinet.

2. Choose the lights. Most plug-in lights, whether linear or puck, can link to each other so you don’t have to plug in each individual fixture.Measure your cabinet lights to see how many lights you need for illuminate the space. 

And the voltage of the lights is also need to fit in your place, choose the UL Listed plug to make sure they are safe to use for your house.

3.Screw or 3M StickersDrill holes through any under hangs between cabinets. This way, you can run a cord straight through between fixtures.Or use the 3M stickers come with the package for installing, just attach the lights on the cabinet surface with the stickers , most of them last for years, you don’t need to worry to replace them, and they do no harm to the cabinet wood.

4. Wrap it up.Reassemble the fixtures,plug it in your wall sockets or other outlets.Then secure the light cord to the bottom of your cabinets with wire staples or brackets so it’s not in the way. You can also choose to connect the lights to your smart device like smart plug or timer in your kitchen, then you can control them with voice system like Alexa.

5. Flip the switch.Use the switch to turn it on, make sure all the lights run well, and you’re finished!

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