Adding kitchen lights

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bjp_ne_elec

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Have looked at a job, and bear with me guys, this old work is something I'm getting up to speed on. There are two existing recessed lights, and the customer - a sweet elderly lady - her deceased husband bought there lights, and the "old crotchity electrician" (her words exactly) wouldn't add them. This was when everything was opened up too. The lights are cord hung pendants with beautiful cut crystal tubes (don't know how else to describe them) and there are three of them.

What I was wondering, is how would you guys approach this. I have a JPEG file attached of what the layout ends up being. One of my questions - is would you drill the floor joists "blind" - accesssing the recessed lights and drilling each way. My concern here, is if there are any wires on the back side of the floor joists. I think opening up the bedroom floor is out, as it's hardwood. Interested how you would handle this "challange" - challange for me, but probably something some of you guys could do in your sleep.

Another thing, is more code related - but is it legal to add a ground to the light fixtures, as I don't think they were designed with one? Has any one ran in to this situation - and if so, how did you handle it. Keep in mind the lights are cord penants - and I don't remember seeing a ground in the cord.

Thanks,

Brett
 
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I don't know exactly what kind of cans are exsisting but most have a few screws you can remove, to remove the can and you should be able to see boths sides of the floor joist's, if it is exactly like the drawing. Once you cut the wholes for the old work boxes use a mirror and flashlight to look around and see any potential accidents. I have yet to take a chance and blind drill anything, I would prefer them patch the dry wall then me drill through a drain pipe or the 652 wires they have mysteriously bundled right on the other side.
 
once you know the contruction layout you can determine where the fixtures can go. from the number of fixtures will give you the pattern. consider your first corner fixture. drill a 1/4" hole where you would like the center of this fixture to layout. now take a piece of #12 solid wire and bend a 90 degree angle in it long enough to clear any obstructions in the fixture's demensions or "it's radius". if you hit something, move the center hole to clear the obstruction. open the first hole(i'm considering that your using "remodel cans") and study the ceiling's construction. you should be able to figure out where the fixtures CAN'T go, now change the layout accordingly. if this was my customer and she was elderly, i would try to explain that she would be happier with some nice undercounter lights that will concentrate the needed light where she needs it. a recessed fixture in a kitchen is great for general lighting --- but not "task lighting". usually, you are working in you own shaddow when using only general lighting in a kitchen....
 
Brett this may be obvious but are you sure the pendants are line voltage?

I see many pendents that are using low volt lamps and that could explain the lack of grounding.
 
We Would Cut All Openings And Drill The Joist Between Depending On Our Level Of Confidence In The Situation. In Other Words You Should Be Able To Get A Pretty Good Feel For What Is In The Bays By Inspecting Your Holes And The Second Floor (ex: Are You Under A Bathroom Or A Bedroom, Are You In Line With Second Floor Outlets Ect.) Drill The Joist As Close To The Cieling Level As Possible As During Most Rough Ins We Staple To The Center Of The Joist. And I Intend To Agree With I Wire A Lot Of Those Pendent Are Lovo.
Good Luck.
 
Charlie Tuna - these aren't recessed cans that are being added - they're pendants that hang down about 6" below a canopy.

I've got to look at the pendants again - that's a very good point that these could be low voltage. I guess if they aren't low voltage, can I legitmately add a new cord that has a ground and bond it to the metal in the light?

How do I get myself in to these things.

THanks

Brett
 
If you are worried about hitting wires/pipes/ductwork/etc on the blind side of a joist....take the "easy" way out. Cut a "trench" about 18" off-center-line and 6" wide....now you have just exposed all the joists and all obstacles....drill as you see fit.

If you are careful when opening the trench, you can put the 18x6 rock right back into place....a few swipes of spackle, a bit o'paint (and a few extra bucks :) ) and you will have one very satisifed customer.
 
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