9. Hardwired System

**Prices shown are for example purposes only, prices are subject to change

Hardwired Under Cabinet LED Lights

This is for hardwired under-cabinet LED lighting using a dimmable hardwired transformer, compatible wall switch dimmer, custom in-wall cable, and our flexible LED strips.

Measure available space for flex:

The first step in any system is determining how many flexible LED strips you need to complete hardwired under-cabinet lighting. Start by measuring out the area you will be installing the LED strips. For each area where you will be placing an LED strip, subtract 3” from the total. This will give you 1.5″ on each side of the LED strip to leave room for cable connections.

Mounting Options for the flexible LED strips:

Under Cabinet Mounting Options – There are two main methods for achieving hardwired LED under-cabinet lighting. The first method is to install the LED strip on the lip or trim of the cabinet so the LEDs face the backsplash. This will give you one continuous light output while highlighting the backsplash and reducing any reflection of the LEDs on the countertop. The second method is to install the LED strip 2″ from the front of the cabinet with the LEDs facing straight down to the countertop. When you opt for under-cabinet LED lighting hardwired using the second method, it will provide more downlight but may leave a reflection of diodes on the countertop. In this setup, the customer decided to mount the LED strips on the lip of the cabinet.

Above Cabinet Mounting Options – In this application, the customer decided to mount the LED strips above glass cabinets to give them a nice glow. If your cabinet has a frame at the front of the cabinet, you can mount the LED strip on the frame, so the LEDs face the back of the cabinet. This will keep everything entirely out of sight. If your cabinets are frameless, you can mount the LED strip on the top front of the cabinet with the LEDs facing down. Mounting them as close as possible to the front of the cabinet will keep them out of sight when the doors are closed.   

Make sure to clean the area where you will mount the LED strips with isopropyl alcohol or a strong cleaning solution to remove all dust and dirt. This will ensure a good stick from the LED tape for a long and permanent hold.

Dividers under cabinets:

Usually, there will be dividers under cabinets where two of the cabinets meet. There are a couple of options to get LED under-cabinet lighting hardwired around this. The first is to notch out a thin area from the divider so the LED strip can fit in its place. The second option is to drill a ½” hole to pass the LED strip through. Check the instruction sheet to the right labeled ‘LED Strip Mounting Options’ for more info.

Providing Power:

In a dimmable under-cabinet LED strip lighting system, we use a hardwired dimmable transformer instead of a plug-in power supply. The hardwired transformer splices directly to the high voltage from the wall switch dimmer instead of plugging into an outlet. Plug-in power supplies are incompatible with any high voltage wall dimmer/switches and can cause the power supplies to fry. Make sure you check the instruction sheet to the right labeled ‘How to wire a transformer?’ and have a licensed contractor or electrician install the transformer.

Wiring Cables:

Once the transformer is installed, you can run cables from your transformer’s output to your LED strips. In this system, the customer installed the transformer under the sink and ran three cable outputs from the transformer to the LED strips. The customer pre-ran these in-wall cables through the wall before the backsplash and cabinets went up. To achieve under-cabinet LED strip lighting, connect the under-cabinet LED strips with the above in-cabinet lighting. Here the customer used our standard interconnect cables. You can run the cable up the front face of the cabinet and behind the stile to keep the cable out of sight. 

FAQ :

      1. How to hardwire LED light strips?

 Hardwiring the LED light strips is easy. You only need to make solid connections between each wire of an individual strip and its corresponding output from your power supply. 

Use wire nuts to make tight connections or wire all the LED light strips to the same positive and negative wire. That is an efficient way to hardwire LED light strips.

    2. Can under-cabinet lighting be hardwired?

Yes, under-cabinet lighting can be hardwired and is one of the most convenient ways of installing LED under-cabinet lighting. It is a great way to create an elegant atmosphere in your kitchen, allowing you to turn the lights on and off and dim them easily without having unsightly wires all over your cooking space. 

   3. What does hardwired under-cabinet lighting mean?

Hardwiring your lights means they are all connected to one switch, giving you more control over which areas of the house or office you want to light up. You can connect all under-cabinet lighting to one switch or group them to make turning on different areas more convenient.

  4. How do you install hardwired LED strips under cabinet lighting?

Installing hardwired under-cabinet lighting is an excellent way to add light to your kitchen. LED strips under-cabinet lighting installation can be done during remodeling projects and helps make any space more open, inviting-looking and functional.

1: First, locate the knockout in your light fixture, and then punch a hole into it. Take this plate out with the help of a screwdriver.

2: Mark the area on either side of the knockout hole where you want to install the light. This will help you to determine where to put the screws while hanging your new light. Before running the cables through, ensure there are no studs around this area. 

3: Then drill a hole using a ½-inch spade into the mark, big enough to let the cables through.  

4: Run the cable through the holes towards the electrical box. Use your hand to pull it out from the wall so it can be connected to the electrical box.  

5: Next step is to take off the cover and the socket strip.

6: Then, insert a cable clamp into the hole.

7: Remove the plate that locks the clamp and then screw it back on the outside of the light fixture.

8: Run the cable through the hole in the wall to your desired place.

9: Unwrap the cable and connect your wires to the corresponding wires in the fixture. Place LED lights or other light bulbs in for under-cabinet lighting.

10: Turn the power back on to see if it works.  

  5. How do you power under-cabinet lighting?

Powering hardwired under-cabinet lighting can be done in a few different ways. Since hardwire power supplies are slightly different, involving wire leads coming off without the direct plugs, you can opt for connecting wire to wire using wire nuts or solder. Or, if it comes with a female plug, you can connect it to the screw-in terminal connector. 

  6. How do you hide the wires under cabinet lighting?

You can use one of the following tricks to hide under-cabinet lighting wires:

  • Wire Staples
  • Adhesive Wire Clips
  • Wire Protectors
  • Wood Valances
  • Strategic Wire Placement

 7. How do you pre-wire under cabinet lighting?

First, find a licensed electrician to pre-wire under cabinet lighting. If the walls are down and pre-wiring can happen, the process becomes relatively simple. You will need to take a 16-18 gauge Class 2-in wall-rated wire and run the line individually from your LED back to the transformer. Now, if you are replacing an existing fixture with LEDs, you may not have access to determine how the cable is wired through the wall. In this case, it is critical to ensure that the lines already in use are running from a low-voltage transformer before switching out the existing lights with LEDs. This is the basics of pre-wiring.

 8. Can LED strips be hardwired?

Yes, LED strips can be hardwired. However, it would be best to only hardwire LED strip lights with wire nuts. While installing hardwired LED strip lights, follow the proper steps and ensure safety measures are in place.

  9. Are LED strip lights suitable for under kitchen cabinets?

LED strip lights are one of the best options for lighting under kitchen cabinets as they can create functional detail lighting, allowing you to do your daily cooking activities with the perfect illumination.

10. What color LED is best for under-cabinet lighting?

When choosing a color temperature for under cabinet lighting, it is recommended

You can use one of the following tricks to hide under-cabinet lighting wires:

Wire Staples

Adhesive Wire Clips

Wire Protectors

Wood Valances

Strategic Wire Placement

 

How do you pre-wire under cabinet lighting?

 

First, find a licensed electrician to pre-wire under cabinet lighting. If the walls are down and pre-wiring can happen, the process becomes relatively simple. You will need to take a 16-18 gauge Class 2-in wall-rated wire and run the line individually from your LED back to the transformer. Now, if you are replacing an existing fixture with LEDs, you may not have access to determine how the cable is wired through the wall. In this case, it is critical to ensure that the lines already in use are running from a low-voltage transformer before switching out the existing lights with LEDs. This is the basics of pre-wiring.

 

Can LED strips be hardwired?

 

Yes, LED strips can be hardwired. However, it would be best to only hardwire LED strip lights with wire nuts. While installing hardwired LED strip lights, follow the proper steps and ensure safety measures are in place.

 

Are LED strip lights suitable for under kitchen cabinets?

 

LED strip lights are one of the best options for lighting under kitchen cabinets as they can create functional detail lighting, allowing you to do your daily cooking activities with the perfect illumination.

 

What color LED is best for under-cabinet lighting?

 

When choosing a color temperature for under cabinet lighting, it is recommended to stay within the 3000K to 5000K range. While 3000K remains on the soft white spectrum and 5000K leans more towards cool white.

 

What kind of under-cabinet lighting is best?

LED lighting is the best option for under-cabinets as it is energy-efficient and lasts long. In addition, it emits very little heat, making it perfect for use under kitchen cabinets. One of the best features of LED lighting is that it can produce a range of colors, from warm to cool.to stay within the 3000K to 5000K range. While 3000K remains on the soft white spectrum and 5000K leans more towards cool white.

 11. What kind of under-cabinet lighting is best?

LED lighting is the best option for under-cabinets as it is energy-efficient and lasts long. In addition, it emits very little heat, making it perfect for use under kitchen cabinets. One of the best features of LED lighting is that it can produce a range of colors, from warm to cool.

 

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