How to: Wiring for Low-Voltage Lighting Under a Cabinet

Hold each light fixture to the desired placement on the underside of the upper cabinet. Ensure that the fixture is as close to the front edge of the cabinet as possible to get the most possible light onto your counter top. Make a pencil mark on the underside of the cabinet around the fixture to indicate its position. Remove the fixture. Repeat to mark the locations of each remaining fixture.

Twist the lens from the light fixture and remove it to reveal the mounting holes. Hold the fixture to the underside of the cabinet on the pencil mark. Ensure the wiring pigtail from the fixture is facing the wall. Drive wood screws through the mounting holes of the fixture and into the underside of the cabinet with a Phillips screwdriver. Use a Phillips bit mounted into a power drill to save time. Replace the lens. Mount the remaining lights in the same fashion.

Choose a location to mount the power supply for the low-voltage lighting system in an inconspicuous place, such as on the underside of the one of the cabinets or behind the refrigerator. Twist wood screws through the mounting holes in the power supply and into the cabinet or wall and tighten them with a Phillips screwdriver or a power drill.

Route the power cord for the power supply under the cabinets. Hold the cord in place by tapping the nail in one of the small clamps that came with the lighting kit with a hammer.

Route each of the light cords from the power supply to within a close proximity of the mounted lights. Route the cord in the gap between cabinets to conceal it, if desired. Drill holes through the underside of the cabinets with a 1/2-inch drill bit and a power drill to route the cords to the lights if you desire to hide the cords inside the cabinet instead of mounting them to its underside. Secure the cord with the small clamps provided.

Push the two wire ends from one of the light fixtures into the plastic wiring clip provided. Push the clip into its mate on the light cord from the power supply until it snaps into place. Connect any remaining light fixtures in the same manner.

Peel the backing from the dimmer switch and push it firmly to your desired position on the sides of the one of the cabinets. Route the small wire from the dimmer to the power supply. Secure the wire with the clamps provided. Plug the end of the wire into the terminal on the power supply until it is fully seated.

Plug the power supply into the closest wall outlet. Tap the dimmer switch with a finger to turn the lights on or off.