How to Connect More Than One Recessed Light

Turn off power to the light switch from the main breaker box. Use a flat-head screwdriver to remove the two screws holding the cover plate over the switch. Set the cover plate and screws aside. Test the light switch's wiring with a circuit tester to ensure it is safe to work with.

Feed a fish tape through the first recessed light's cable connector (the hole in the side of the light's electrical box). Send it toward the second recessed light's cable connector. Wrap a 12- or 14-gauge electrical cable around the fish tape's hook. Reel the fish tape back toward the first light, dragging the cable with it.

Extend the cable at least 6 inches into the first light's electrical box. Return to the second light. Cut the cable about 6 inches into the second light's electrical box with a wire strippers. Return to the first light.

Cut off the cable's outer insulation with a utility knife. Peel back the inner insulation and cut it off. Separate the three wires. Use a wire strippers to remove 1 inch of insulation off each wire's end.

Unscrew the wire nuts holding the light fixture's wiring and the light switch's wiring together. There will be three color pairs: black, white and green or bare copper. Hold the cable's wires together with the matching color pair. Twist a new wire nut over each new group of three wires. Return to the second light.

Remove the cable's outer and inner insulation and strip 1 inch of insulation off each wire. Follow Step 2 to run a cable from this light to the third recessed light. Return to the second light and remove the new cable's outer and inner insulation and strip the wires' ends.

Locate the second light's wiring. Hold the three black wires together and twist a wire nut over them. Repeat with the white wires, then the green or bare copper wires. Move to the third light.

Follow Steps 6 and 7 between the third and fourth recessed light. Continue in this way until all the lights have been wired together. At the final light in the circuit, there will be only two wires for each color. Twist a wire nut over each color pair.

Push each light's wires into the respective electrical boxes. Place the electrical box covers over the wires and use a Phillips screwdriver to secure the covers in place with the provided screws.

Place the light switch's cover plate over the switch. Secure it in place with the screws you removed in Step 1. Restore power to the light switch.