I currently have a wall switch that controls an outlet receptacle. Would like to convert the outlet to be on full-time, and instead convert the switch to power an overhead lamp. I have opened up the outlet, and see the following: 1) Two pronged outlet- red wire connected to the top left screw; white wire connected to the top right screw. 2) Two black wires coming out of the receptacle outlet box are connected to each other and taped off. 3) Wall switch has a red wire connected to the top right screw; black wire connected to the bottom right screw. I understand that I need to separately run romex wire from the wall switch to a new overhead box for the ceiling light. But, to make the receptacle work independantly, can I just untape the two black wires and be done with it??

Hi! You guys have been great in the past so here's a new question. We have a wall which runs around our property on the street side and we have two large carriage lamps outside. These are controlled by a switch inside the front door. However, there are no lights inside the wall except at the house itself and there are three steps down on the pathway and people are always falling down or I have to walk them out to the street. I want to put in some path lights. Recently I found the wire (cable?) which comes out of the ground near the wall and enters the wall to power the carriage lights. Could I cut this wire, splice it to attach 2 (or maybe 4) other 120V path lights? If so, how could I waterproof the splice area? Having these lights controlled by the same indoor switch is fine. Thanks for the help! Tina