Electrical Question
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Joined: Apr 2007
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Electrical Question
I have a pull chain light and I'm wanting to replace that with a light that has a switch. Right now there is a white and black wire coming to it and then 2 more white and black wires that run to outlets. I've tried searching online but haven't found much. What do I need to do so the switch controls just the light and so the outlets always have power even with the switch off?
Thanks
Thanks
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 495
Likes: 0
OPEN THE BREAKER!!!!!!!!!!
The 4 wires coming into the box you will twist together, white to white leg and black to black leg, so that the outlets remain hot.
Install 2 "pigtails" into the circuit at the same point ... twisting a total of 3 wires together in each leg, with the pigtails hanging out.
Connect one leg of the pigtail to the light.
Run a new pair of wires to the wall switch and connect a wire to each side of the switch.
Back at the light, connect one of the new wires to the remaining pole of the light and the other new wire to the remaining pigtail.
Close the breaker and test.
The 4 wires coming into the box you will twist together, white to white leg and black to black leg, so that the outlets remain hot.
Install 2 "pigtails" into the circuit at the same point ... twisting a total of 3 wires together in each leg, with the pigtails hanging out.
Connect one leg of the pigtail to the light.
Run a new pair of wires to the wall switch and connect a wire to each side of the switch.
Back at the light, connect one of the new wires to the remaining pole of the light and the other new wire to the remaining pigtail.
Close the breaker and test.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 8
From: Cook Forest and Irwin PA
re-run some wires.
from what you describe you have hot+neutral heading to the ceiling box, feeding the light and then downstream to outlets. without running at least 2 conductors, this will never happen.
should you run 2 conductors, here is a code approved way:
Hot CP line (black) nutted and taped to the downstream black, and the black conductor to the new switch
white condcutor from the new switch taped black on the end and screwed to the center lug of the fixture, or nutted to a black lead wire or whatever you are using.
then neutral line from the CP nutted to the white downstream and a white pigtail to the outer lug, or white lead or whatever.
Of course my answer may be different if I actually see the installation.
from what you describe you have hot+neutral heading to the ceiling box, feeding the light and then downstream to outlets. without running at least 2 conductors, this will never happen.
should you run 2 conductors, here is a code approved way:
Hot CP line (black) nutted and taped to the downstream black, and the black conductor to the new switch
white condcutor from the new switch taped black on the end and screwed to the center lug of the fixture, or nutted to a black lead wire or whatever you are using.
then neutral line from the CP nutted to the white downstream and a white pigtail to the outer lug, or white lead or whatever.
Of course my answer may be different if I actually see the installation.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
OPEN THE BREAKER!!!!!!!!!!
The 4 wires coming into the box you will twist together, white to white leg and black to black leg, so that the outlets remain hot.
Install 2 "pigtails" into the circuit at the same point ... twisting a total of 3 wires together in each leg, with the pigtails hanging out.
Connect one leg of the pigtail to the light.
Run a new pair of wires to the wall switch and connect a wire to each side of the switch.
Back at the light, connect one of the new wires to the remaining pole of the light and the other new wire to the remaining pigtail.
Close the breaker and test.
The 4 wires coming into the box you will twist together, white to white leg and black to black leg, so that the outlets remain hot.
Install 2 "pigtails" into the circuit at the same point ... twisting a total of 3 wires together in each leg, with the pigtails hanging out.
Connect one leg of the pigtail to the light.
Run a new pair of wires to the wall switch and connect a wire to each side of the switch.
Back at the light, connect one of the new wires to the remaining pole of the light and the other new wire to the remaining pigtail.
Close the breaker and test.
Always turn off the breaker before working on circuits .
There are some great diy sites for home renos' that you can find drawings .
