Learn how to install an LED panel light safely and efficiently. There are a couple of tricks you need to know!
Tools Needed
- Philips screwdriver
- Wire stripper (these self adjusting strippers are nice!)
- Side cutter or diagonal cutter
- NM Cable ripper
- Awl
- Drill/driver
- Pencil
- Tape measure
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Materials Needed:
- 1/2″ Screw cable clamp
- Plastic push-in connectors
- Wire nuts or push-in wire connectors
- Blank cover plate for ceiling box (with 1/2″ knockout, preferred)
- NM Cable (14/2 with ground)
LED Panels Instead of LED Tubes?
LED panel lights are a great alternative to fluorescent tube fixtures, but it can be tricky to install an LED panel light. Today, I’m going to demonstrate how to install an LED panel that uses a surface mount frame. These don’t typically come with adequate instructions on how to safely wire from the ceiling box to the panel wiring connections.
I get a lot of feedback on my fluorescent to LED tube conversion videos that LED conversion isn’t worth the time and that it’s better to just buy an LED fixture. I don’t agree that this is always the right choice, but if you do decide to replace the fixture I think an LED panel is worth considering especially if the fixture will be installed in a garage, workshop, or work area. These panels put off a generous amount of light, they come in multiple color temperatures, and they don’t have a lot of glare so they are easy on the eyes.
One downside to LED panels is that they can be tricky to install. Mounting the frame by yourself is very tricky and wiring these can be a bit mysterious. Wiring these panels in a manner that is safe and code compliant took a lot of research, but I finally figured it out and I will save you a lot of time by demonstrating how to install these.
Install an LED Panel – The Basics
Here are the basics of installing one of these panels.
- Shut off your circuit breaker and uninstall the old fixture.
- We assemble the frame as the first installation step. This is quite easy – four sides, four screws on each of the short sides.
- Next, you’ll mount the frame to the ceiling. This is tricky but the cardboard template shown in the video makes this much easier!
- Then you’ll need to partially wire the led panel, slide it into the frame, complete the wiring before fully sliding it into the frame.
- Then turn back on the circuit breaker, test that you have light, and then replace one of the short sides of the frame and you’re done. Here’s the tricky part…
You need a long(ish) cable from the LED panel driver to the ceiling box that will accomplish a few things:
- Provide enough slack to insert the panel and slide it 4 feet into the frame.
- Make sure the cable connections and splices are secure so that sliding the panel into the frame does not loosen or compromise those connections.
- Wire the fixture so it is code compliant and will not have a risk of electrical shock if any connections are loose.
This is starting sound hard! But it isn’t! Let’s see how easy it is to install an LED light panel…
What You’ll Need to Install an LED Panel Light
Let me cover what you’ll need to wire from the panel to the ceiling box.
- A ½” screw cable clamp connector designed to be used with non-metallic cable such as Romex.
- You’ll need about 5’ of non-metallic cable
- A plastic push-in connector. This is also for a ½” knockout
- Plastic blank box cover with or without a ½” knockout hole – preferably with a knockout.
Tools needed
- Non-metallic cable ripper
- Some sort of wire cutter and stripper
- Philips screwdriver – possibly a slotted one as well
- An awl
- Drill/driver for mounting the frame anchors
How To Wire The LED Panel
This one is difficult (and long) to put in writing. I’m going to refer you to the video here for these details.
Mount the LED Panel Light Frame
A Template is Your Friend
The LED panel light frame is difficult to install by yourself so I created a template from a piece of cardboard. Make sure you square one corner of the template first. This will be the corner that we will align with our reference marks. My reference marks are based on my desired location. I want it a certain number of inches from the wall and a certain number of inches for an adjacent fixture. You will need three reference marks. Two on one side of the corner and one on the other. Three marks will ensure that you are square in relation to either adjacent walls or fixtures.
I use a small template to mark three anchor points. I tried a larger template to mark all six holes but it just wasn’t manageable. A three hole template was the sweet spot. I mark three reference points. One from an adjacent wall and two from an adjacent fixture that has already been mounted.
Location, Location, Location!
You’ll notice that I’ve already removed the old fixture which means my circuit breaker has been shut off. Please make sure your breaker is off before doing any wiring.
Before we go any further, make sure when you are selecting your location for the frame that you have enough clearance on one short end to insert the panel. I’m installing a 2x4 panel so I need 4’ on one side.
With the reference marks in place I can use my template to mark the holes. I use an awl to punch through the cardboard and mark the ceiling. After you mark these, you can hold the frame up to the ceiling to confirm it lines up. If it does, go ahead and install three anchors. We’ll then place the frame back up on the ceiling to mark the other three holes.
Once all 6 anchors are installed, we can install the frame and remove one of the end pieces.
Installing the LED Panel Light into the Frame
We slide the panel into the frame as far as possible without blocking access to the ceiling box. We use wire nuts to connect hot, neutral, and ground. Then we attach the cover plate to the box. Before you finish up the installation, I recommend turning on the breaker and testing the light before sliding the panel all the way in and installing the frame end piece. If everything works, then you can slide the panel in and attach the frame end.
You’re done!
