Do you have an electrical inspector where you live? The lumens code isn't cast in stone for residential, more of a guideline for safe movement. With an 8 x 14 office, I hope you plan to use a floor lamp or additional support lighting if you only use three cans at 65w. You will not be happy with the end result if you don't.
Installing Canned Lighting Cans In Ceiling With Cramped Space
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Hmm... a few thoughts:
I guess I could go buy 3 more of these lights... it just seems like a LOT of light for such a small space.
- I'm not at all worried about an inspector coming by.
- I really like bright lighting, so I may want to cover my bases and add more lights.
- For the past 7 years my desk has only been lit by a single 100 watt (comparable) CFL.
I guess I could go buy 3 more of these lights... it just seems like a LOT of light for such a small space.
If a bright office is what your looking for, you may consider that most offices have about 40+ FC of light. A Foot Candle is one lumen of light density per square foot. Which means the average office has about 40 lumens per square foot. You would need about 4500 lumens to reach that goal. Can lights aren't designed for what you are trying to use them for. If you went with 6 of the lights you described, that would get you 3600 lumens, which may be suitable. If I were you, I would visit a lighting showroom and talk to some experts. Advice is free, and you may come away with a better plan.
You could also use three can lights for general ambient lighting, and install track lighting over the desk area for more direct work lighting. A dimmer on the track lights could also ease the eyes if a lot of computer work is being done. I think that's the route I would take.
You could also use three can lights for general ambient lighting, and install track lighting over the desk area for more direct work lighting. A dimmer on the track lights could also ease the eyes if a lot of computer work is being done. I think that's the route I would take.
HayZee518
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I wonder if "pulling a permit" is necessary in his neck of the woods?
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I keep going back and forth. 3 cans, 4 cans, 6 cans?
My current idea is to try 3 down the middle. If it's too dim, I can pull out the middle one and put in a light/fan combo, which is what we have in almost every other room in the house.
My current idea is to try 3 down the middle. If it's too dim, I can pull out the middle one and put in a light/fan combo, which is what we have in almost every other room in the house.
HayZee518
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If you put in a fan/light combo - get one with a wireless remote. I can tell you how to fish a wire to a wall switch. but I don't know if you'd appreciate the mess.
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We actually pre-wired 2 sets of romax when we were putting the room together (splitting it), so if I ever wanted to control a fan separate I could. 
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Today was a busy day! I decided to go with 3 recessed LED cans right down the middle of the room. I figure if I need more light I can put the fan/light combo in the middle of the room... but I don't think I'll need that much light.
My wife's dad and I wired the switch and I cut the holes for the cans, & wired them up to each other. Tomorrow I will make the connection from the lights to the switch and then I'll finally be past the big hump that's been keeping me from moving into my new office! (the next hurdle will be choosing / installing the flooring).
My wife's dad and I wired the switch and I cut the holes for the cans, & wired them up to each other. Tomorrow I will make the connection from the lights to the switch and then I'll finally be past the big hump that's been keeping me from moving into my new office! (the next hurdle will be choosing / installing the flooring).
HayZee518
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If you decide to put in a fan-light combo, how are you gonna hold it in the ceiling? You must have a junction box for the wires. Do you know there is special fan hanger box?
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@HayZee518 : I'll install a junction / fan hanger box if I go that route. It will be relatively easy to do.
@Sumi : Unfortunately things are going slowly.
BAD NEWS:
I'm so upset! I turned on the LED cans today and they have a slight buzz coming from all of them. I called the company and they said, "they shouldn't buzz more than florescent lights." Um... I don't want ANY buzz at all!
So, now that I spent half a day wiring and installing these dumb things I need to decide if I either remove them all and return them for something else, or if I just live with the slight buzz.
GRRR!!!
@Sumi : Unfortunately things are going slowly.
BAD NEWS:
I'm so upset! I turned on the LED cans today and they have a slight buzz coming from all of them. I called the company and they said, "they shouldn't buzz more than florescent lights." Um... I don't want ANY buzz at all!
So, now that I spent half a day wiring and installing these dumb things I need to decide if I either remove them all and return them for something else, or if I just live with the slight buzz.
GRRR!!!
