How to Install Suspended Ceiling Lights | eBay

A suspended ceiling, sometimes also referred to as drop or false ceiling, is a secondary ceiling that hangs a foot or so beneath the actual ceiling. It is a common fixture in offices and in certain areas of the homes such as hallways and living rooms. Suspended ceilings offer significant aesthetic benefits, but are also used to conceal wiring and ductwork, and to improve a rooms acoustics and insulation. In certain cases, the area between the actual and the suspended ceiling, referred to as the plenum, is used for controlling heating/air-conditioning air flow. Suspended ceilings are typically designed in a grid pattern, with each tile in the grid typically measuring between 2x2 feet and 4x4 feet, though individual manufacturers often have various other sizes. The system is entirely modular, and individual tiles can easily be removed to provide access to the plenum. In fact, this is one of the major benefits of suspended ceilings as it gives ready access to wiring, cabling, and it is possible to remove individual tiles in the grid for the installation of lighting fixtures. Suspending ceiling lights are specifically engineered for such ceilings and are designed for easy installation and removal.

Suspending ceiling lights replace individual tiles in the ceiling grid and hang from the actual roof on a strong metal wire or chain. Although typically installed in the middle of the room to provide optimal luminosity, these can be installed virtually anywhere in the grid to create mood lighting. A number of lights are usually arranged in a module and covered with a diffuser for better distribution. Another option is to install down lights, either individually or arranged in a recessed module. The choices vary depending on the use, with large modules more suited for use in offices and commercial establishments, and individual down lights fitting the requirements of home users more.

If this is the first time installing suspended ceiling lights, follow this step by step guide to installing them correctly.

The first step in the installation process is selecting the right ceiling lights. As it is a modular system, the range of available choices is vast. Chief considerations include the choice of diffuser, module or individual down light, and choice of bulbs/tubes used in the lights.

A diffuser is a sheet of plastic used to cover a module of lights to provide better light distribution and improve aesthetics. The available options include:

Prismatic diffusers have raised prisms on one side which diffuses the light and enhances aesthetic appeal. Typically made from polystyrene and covered with a UV protective coating. Mostly used in offices.

An embossed panel of polystyrene with a crushed ice patter, typically used in offices, and available in a range of colours. Popular colours include clear and white.

Lattice diffusers have a texture surface arranged in small grids, usually 1x1 inches in dimension. The grids are either perpendicular or diagonal.

Egg crate diffusers are made from acrylic and designed for maximum light output. The diffuser is designed like an egg-crate, with space in-between for light to shine through.

The choice in modules ranges from modules for individual down lights to large arrays of lights designed for maximum light output.

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How to Install Suspended Ceiling Lights | eBay