Wednesday, January 16, 2013

How can I add a pull chain to a ceiling light fixture?

Q. The previous owners of the house put a ceiling light and a fan with a light kit on the same wall switch. I'd like to have the fan on without the lights. I can use the pull chain on the light kit to kill the light on the fan, but the ceiling light is controlled by the switch. Is there a kit available that will allow me to add a pull chain to that ceiling light, as well?

A. I would check in the electrical department of a big home improvement store like Home Depot or Lowes. They could give you the right advice based on the type of light your are talking about.

Can I power a light switch and two ceiling lights from an adjacent duplex outlet?
Q. In my bathroom, there are two ceiling lights controlled by an SPST switch. Next to the switch, in the same box in the wall, is an outlet. The lights no longer turn on. I tried a new switch, no dice. However, the outlet right next to that switch still works. They each (the switch and the outlet) have a different feed coming to them as far as I can see, looking inside the wall. In other words, I don't see one of them branching of from the other. So, I am wondering if it is possible or advised to connect the switch to the outlet, and run new wire to the ceiling fixtures, so I can power the lights again? Also, I'd prefer the switch to control the lights only, not the outlet.

A. If you're correct that rhe switch is fed from a different circuit than the outlet, start looking where the lighting circuit goes to from that two gang box. If the lights worked before, now they don't, you could have a tripped breaker or a loose connection somewhere. Good luck and Merry Christmas.

How to install a light switch and additional ceiling lights?
Q. I have a ceiling light with a pull chain in my attic. I want to add two additional ceiling lights with pull chains. I also want to add a switch so all three come on at once. I believe to do this, I can take the wire leading to the first light, wire the black and white to the switch, and the grown as well. Then run a new wire to the first light, and then to each subsequent light. Am I over simplifying?

A. You basically have it. You keep the black wire black and the white wire white splicing a connection at each box. The black wire is supposed to be the "hot" side so your switch will be a break in the black wire and your white will just be connected without the switch.

Do a google on "residential wiring" or "home wiring" there are many sources with pictures and advice.




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