Installing wafer lights in new construction with insulation

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ammklq143

Senior Member
Location
Iowa
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Electrician
Anyone have any tips on what works well for doing wafer lights in a single story home where they're going to be installed in the rafter space in a ceiling that's insulated? When installing in a main level ceiling with rooms above I can run the NM and leave it in the truss space and then after the painters are done, come back and cut the hole and reach around to get ahold of it but with an insulated ceiling it's a little more difficult than that.

What are some good ways to do this when it's going to be in an insulated attic space?
 
I always ask the GC or homeowner to hold back on the insulation until the lights can be installed. When I explain about the difficulty in finding the wire and the mess it makes, they most times agree and hold off on insulating until the lights are in.
 
Little Bill said:
I always ask the GC or homeowner to hold back on the insulation until the lights can be installed. When I explain about the difficulty in finding the wire and the mess it makes, they most times agree and hold off on insulating until the lights are in.
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That's not a bad idea. I might give that a shot. I was also thinking about getting the wire in place and before they insulate, I could stub the wire down through a hole and cut the circle out later. Of course, the mudder isn't going to like that if they're doing a knockdown but I don't like mudders anyway. Lol
 
I always draw a diagram of the house, and mark measurements on it where the lights will be.

Then I always install the j-box on the rough-in. Then cut some cardboard pieces about 20" x 8" and staple it to the joists just over the j-box, to keep insulation in place when the hole gets cut.

Then I cut with a holesaw on the finish.
Theyre fast, too, because the j-box is already in place and made up - and mounted 😁
 
If it's HD spray foam I will typically install the flat pan rough in and install the j-box, bag it and secure it on the pan but away from the hole. It's more work but it beats digging it out of the spray foam.
I agree with James L it is faster that way I use the half basketball ball with hole saw to help catch the debre. I also use the LOL adjustable whole saw kit.
 
480sparky said:
No problems. Blown might get a bit messy, but just put a tarp down and collect what falls out and push it back in right before you install the light.
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Get a deep 12” planter saucer (clear) and put a hole in the center. Put it between your hole saw and drill. It will catch 90% of the insulation that falls out of the hole.
 
retirede said:
Get a deep 12” planter saucer (clear) and put a hole in the center. Put it between your hole saw and drill. It will catch 90% of the insulation that falls out of the hole.
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That's exactly what I use. You can see through them (I make a bold + with a Sharpie) and they come in different diameters.

But, I use a real hole-saw, not the adjustable thing in a kit. An extension makes it easier to keep the hole-saw flat to the ceiling.

With a long-enough extension, I can cut a hole and drop the slug and dust into a trash can, all while standing on the floor.
 
I only use a dust/debris catcher if I'm in an occupied house. If I'm in a new house or a remodel that's unoccupied, I let the dudt fly wherever it wants to go
 
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