Installing A Light Switch Into An Existing Wall

Armored cable step 1.

Installing a light switch into an existing wall.

Cut drywall step 4. The switch comes first in the new part of the circuit and new 2 wire cable is run to it from the outlet. Unscrew the wire nut holding the two black wires together on your existing light. Pull the cables from the front as you slide the box into the wall opening.

Gently push the new wired switch back into the electrical box and screw it in place. Strip the last one inch of your new black wire and place all three black wires together. Connect the new switch step 8. If the outlet is too far away for that most electricians feed the cable into the attic or basement drilling a hole in the top or bottom plate of the wall as needed.

Run the cable step 5. Cut an 8 inch single strand of black electrical. Turn off power step 2. Unscrew the wire nut holding the two white wires together.

After you ve determined that the existing switch box will work to power the new light it s time to shop for the sconce and pick up the remodeling box cable and electrical connectors you ll need. Go into the attic and drill a 3 4 inch hole in the top plate of the wall directly over the cutout for the new switch. Hook the wire clockwise around the screw so when you tighten the screw with a screwdriver the clockwise force of the tightening screw makes the loop wrap tighter around the screw. Mark location step 3.

If either cable in the attic is long enough feed it through the hole down to. The first switch location has an existing 14 2 cable running to the light. If the new outlet is on the same wall as the switch and the two are close enough you might consider removing some drywall and patching the wall when you re done running the cable. Twist the new white wire around the two existing white wires and re connect with the wire nut.

Loosen the wire nut connecting the two white wires. Pull the cable at an angle that minimizes pressure on the plastic cable clamp in the box. In this diagram power is taken from an existing wall outlet for a new switch and light fixture. When you need to add an outlet or switch in an existing wall you need to use a special electrical box called an old work box an old work electrical box may be metal or plastic and is specially designed to be installed in an existing wall where it has no support other than the wall itself.

Strip wires step 6. Choose the fixture first. Screw on the switch plate and turn on the power. Wire ceiling fixture step 7.

Twist the wire nut onto the three wires to secure them. From the switch new 2 wire cable is run to the new light location.