adding switches to pull chain lights
#1
02-08-03, 11:26 AM
adding switches to pull chain lights
In my basement I have two simple pull chain incandescent light fixtures on the same electrical wire. I would like to add switches to both lights and remove the pull chains. How can I do this?
Oh, one other thing. Feeding off my second light is a wire which follows along the joist and goes down into my cinder block wall. I'm assuming this is a ground. Thanks Cactusmike4
Oh, one other thing. Feeding off my second light is a wire which follows along the joist and goes down into my cinder block wall. I'm assuming this is a ground. Thanks Cactusmike4
#2
02-08-03, 11:49 AM
Member
First of all, it is almost certainly not the case that the wire off the second light is a ground. Describe this wire please.
Converting the pull chains to switched lights is pretty easy. However, because there are many safety issues involved, I would encourage you to first read a few good books on home wiring.
Essentially the process goes like this.[list=1][*]Shut off the breaker.[*]Install a switch box somewhere on the wall. How to do that depends on what the wall is made out of.[*]Run a new 14/2 (use 12-gauge wire if this circuit is on a 20-amp breaker) between the new switch box and the light fixture you want it to control. You must protect this cable from physical damage. How you do that depends on your situation. You may use conduit, armored cable, or protective running boards. You must also secure the cable with staples no less often than every 4.5 feet.[*]Connect the black and white wires to the two screws on a switch and install the switch in the switch box. Remark the white wire with a black marker to indicate that it is a hot wire.[*]At the light, disconnect the black wire from the light from whatever it is connected to. Instead, connect that black wire from the light to the black wire of your new cable.[*]Connect the white wire from the new cable (remarked with a black marker) to where the black wire from the light was formerly connected.[/list=1]Of course, connect all grounding wires and grounding screws everywhere.
Converting the pull chains to switched lights is pretty easy. However, because there are many safety issues involved, I would encourage you to first read a few good books on home wiring.
Essentially the process goes like this.[list=1][*]Shut off the breaker.[*]Install a switch box somewhere on the wall. How to do that depends on what the wall is made out of.[*]Run a new 14/2 (use 12-gauge wire if this circuit is on a 20-amp breaker) between the new switch box and the light fixture you want it to control. You must protect this cable from physical damage. How you do that depends on your situation. You may use conduit, armored cable, or protective running boards. You must also secure the cable with staples no less often than every 4.5 feet.[*]Connect the black and white wires to the two screws on a switch and install the switch in the switch box. Remark the white wire with a black marker to indicate that it is a hot wire.[*]At the light, disconnect the black wire from the light from whatever it is connected to. Instead, connect that black wire from the light to the black wire of your new cable.[*]Connect the white wire from the new cable (remarked with a black marker) to where the black wire from the light was formerly connected.[/list=1]Of course, connect all grounding wires and grounding screws everywhere.
