Recessed light is a light fixture that is installed in a hollow opening in a ceiling. It appears to have a light shining from the hole in the ceiling in a downward direction which got it the name downlights.

Commonly known as pot lights in Canada, these light fixtures are quite common all around the world due to their discreet profile. While there are many different kinds of recessed lighting available in the market . One of the most popular types is the LED recessed lighting.

Their design is very adjustable and unique which gives them the advantage of being a hidden light source with several benefits.

Parts of recessed lighting

There are three parts of the luminaire LED / LED fixture. LED lights are free of all harsh chemicals and do not emit UV rays. They are also 100% recyclable and can significantly reduce your carbon footprint.

Housing:

Some recessed fixtures are all in one piece, but most are made of two pieces. In the two piece structure the housing is the piece that is mounted in the ceiling.

The housing is the portion of the light fixture it is sometimes referred to as the rough in. It is largely dependable on the amount and nature of the space available around the fixture which is why it is categorised as either IC rated or non IC. There are housings for different ceiling types to facilitate the installation of recessed lights which are:

• Sloped ceiling housing
• New construction housing
• Remodel housing
• Airtight housing etc.

Trim:

Trim is inserted into the housing just right around the bulb. Depending on the type of housing and trim you choose in order to install the light bulb, you may have to remove the trim.

Trim is the visible portion of the light and therefore possesses some of the greatest potential for applying aesthetics. Some of the most common styles of trim are:

• reflector trim
• wall washed trim
• baffle trim
• open trim
• Eyeball trim
• Gimbal trim etc.

Bulb:

Many types of bulbs can be inserted in recessed lighting fixtures and they can be categorised with respect to their efficiency. It is measured by energy consumption versus brightness output.

The brightness of most LED bulbs is measured in lumens which is higher than any other traditional lamp. LED lamps consume very little energy hence they have a low wattage rating whereas other options consume a chunk of energy while not being able to deliver the same level of efficiency.

Design principles:

Shapes:

The most common shapes among recessed lighting are square and round profiles, though there are endless possibilities for customisation.

Frame:

There are several frames available for recessed fixtures. It is either for extra protection from dust, heat or moisture or for remodel recessed fixtures which also have a mounting frame that is mostly attached to the framing member in the ceiling to secure it all in one place.

Finish:

Some of the most common finishing options are white, nickel, bronze, antique, satin, polished, chrome, brushed, painted and stained.

Size:

The most common size for the dimensions of the recessed lighting are 2 inches to 5 inches. The sizing is highly dependent on the sizing of the room, directly dependent on the ceiling height as it helps in determining the accurate positioning of the fixture.

To create a layout, it is essential to work out the dimensions it helps with placing fixtures in a way that they enhance the light effect rather than cancelling it out and disrupting the lighting pattern.

Performance:

There are several misconceptions associated with recessed lightning. One of the most common one is that there is a problem with the fixture if the light isn’t working properly and that is not always true.

It is highly dependent on installation and proper care must be taken while installing. The wiring is usually identical and there are joists available in ceilings which require proper connection to the power supply. LED recessed lights are coupled with:

Dimmers:

The majority of recessed lighting products are coupled with dimmers which also contribute to low energy usage and to set the ambience at any time of the day.

Wiring:

While fishing wire from one joist to another it is important to bore a hole in the center of each joist. The connections of the recessed lighting are made in a junction box attached to the fixture which is then connected to a power supply.

Advantages of LED recessed lights

Energy efficiency:

LEDs are equipped with cutting edge technology, energy efficiency wise. With low wattage consumption and high power output they have redefined the standard of lighting in the market. LED manufacturers are constantly making new advancements in this sector to come up with improved and sustainable options.

Versatility:

A recessed fixture with a medium screw base lamp holder can take an incandescent, fluorescent, halogen or LED light bulb. Fixtures are also available with sockets, special lamp holders that can only take certain light bulbs usually halogen or fluorescent.

LED recessed lights are mostly square, round or rectangular which are usually used for decorative purposes. They are mainly categorised as decorative fixtures due to their ability to just blend into any environment and layer up the lighting layout.

More overhead space:

Recessed lighting makes a room feel bigger because they take up less visual space; this is because the lights are set into the ceiling itself. They don’t hang low, cause obstruction and nothing is in the way to interrupt the visual space of the roomor ceiling.

There are several ways in which light can be engineered for different layouts without any obstruction in the environment, the trims provide this space where the lighting alone creates different effects and fills the room with uniform lighting.