Wiring a switch to sconces
#1
02-07-04, 04:03 AM
Wiring a switch to sconces
I have two wall sconces in my dining room. They are both switched at the fixture as of now. Of course power runs to each individually. I want to connect them both and run a dimmer to them.
I assume that I do not need the power feed to one of them. I will run new wire where needed including the switch. My question is......How do I wire these with the switch? It would be power to one light and then onward to another light and then to a switch.
Thank you.
I assume that I do not need the power feed to one of them. I will run new wire where needed including the switch. My question is......How do I wire these with the switch? It would be power to one light and then onward to another light and then to a switch.
Thank you.
#2
02-07-04, 05:51 AM
Since you have power to each light right now, you can go whichever way is easiest.
You need to run a piece of 14-2 from the first light to the second light. You need to run a piece of 14-2 from either light to the location of the switch.
At the switch connect the black wire to one screw on the switch and the white wire to the other screw on the switch. Connect the bare ground wire to the green screw on the switch and to the metal box, if you are using a metal box.
At the light where the switch connects, connect the black (hot) wire that is presently connected to the light to the white wire goinv to the switch. Connect the black wire from the switch to the now empty hot connection for the light.
You should now have the first light properly connected to the switch. What you need to do now is to connect the switched light to the other light. This is done by using the wire you just ran between them. Connect the black and white to the black and white going to the switched light. At the other light just connect them in place of the black and white powering the light. Then use wire nuts and cap off the two wires that were powering the light.
Note that you may be able to simplify this. It is possible that you already have a wire running directl;y from one light to the next. it is also possible that the wires to the lights are in the basement (below) or attic/crawl space (above) this room.
Why don't you carefully (with the power off) remove the lights and give us an inventory of the wires in each box. List all the wires in each box, and identify them by cable and color.
You need to run a piece of 14-2 from the first light to the second light. You need to run a piece of 14-2 from either light to the location of the switch.
At the switch connect the black wire to one screw on the switch and the white wire to the other screw on the switch. Connect the bare ground wire to the green screw on the switch and to the metal box, if you are using a metal box.
At the light where the switch connects, connect the black (hot) wire that is presently connected to the light to the white wire goinv to the switch. Connect the black wire from the switch to the now empty hot connection for the light.
You should now have the first light properly connected to the switch. What you need to do now is to connect the switched light to the other light. This is done by using the wire you just ran between them. Connect the black and white to the black and white going to the switched light. At the other light just connect them in place of the black and white powering the light. Then use wire nuts and cap off the two wires that were powering the light.
Note that you may be able to simplify this. It is possible that you already have a wire running directl;y from one light to the next. it is also possible that the wires to the lights are in the basement (below) or attic/crawl space (above) this room.
Why don't you carefully (with the power off) remove the lights and give us an inventory of the wires in each box. List all the wires in each box, and identify them by cable and color.
