This is probally easy but I need to add a light fixture to one of my rooms. One of the receptacles is controlled by a wall switch. I have full access to the wiring via the above attic. Would I attach the lght fixture wiring to the receptacle or the wall switch. I would like to not have to do either and somehow splice the wiring together in the attic area rather than having to fish wires through the receptacle or switch wall. Any advice would be great.
"I would like to not have to do either and somehow splice the wiring together in the attic area rather than having to fish wires through the receptacle or switch wall. Any advice would be great. "
The other alternative is to use two junction boxes in the attic. Cut the cable going to the outlet and put one end in each box. Then run your new light cable into one box and run a short piece of cable between the two boxes.
I just did this in my house. I had to run a wire from the receptacle to the new box for the light. There was no splicing, all the wiring was done at the receptacle and I made it an always on receptacle.
Splicing the wires outside a junction box in the attic is a No No. If you have enough free play in the wire, fine, but I doubt if that is going to happen.
There are several possible solutions. It is hard to suggest one however without knowing more about exactly what you have. Is the receptacle in the same room as the light you are adding? How do the wires run to the receptacle? That are there two circuits, one hot and one switched going down from the attic to the outlet? If so you can replace the outlet (or bridge the removed ear) cut the wire to the outlet box (I would at least tape the now dead wires - What is code in this case??) and then add a junction box in the attic to connect the wire to the new light to the hot end of the switched wires you just cut.
The wall switch, receptacle and future light fixture are all in the same room. I believe that both ac outlets are switched on the receptacle.
Maybe, maybe not. I just put a junction box in for a light and had enough slack to do it with one box.
Maybe, maybe not. I just put a junction box in for a light and had enough slack to do it with one box.
You can snake from the outlet to the light location. If the feed is located in the switchbox, you can snake from that location. If the feed is in the switchbox and goes into the attic, then back down to the switched outlet, you can pick it up there as well. Most importantly, you have to know what you have and where you have it, before you proceed.
The switch controls (1) receptacle which is an "end of run". There are no other lights/receptacles on this switch. The switch wiring goes up into the attic and back down to the receptacle.
I don't know if you have done this yet - Given what you posted here and as replies elsewhere, and if I were to guess, your situation is likely the same as what I have in all my bedrooms.
You feed goes to the switch and then from the switch to the outlet. I found it much easier to fish to the switch, not the outlet. In my case only 1/2 the outlet was switched. I was able to move the switched leg in the switch box so it was always hot and the connect for my light at the switch. I'll try and draw the before and after using ascii art. View this with the courier font. Your situation may be different ind its possible I do not know what I'm talking about. Take everything you read here with that in mind. If you are unsure of what you are doing then contact a qualified electrician. Oh, and make sure the electricity if off before working on this.
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---------------------| | | Switch>BBBBBB|BBBB BW | B BW | BBBBB>> Outlet> OutletBBBBBB|BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB>LIGHT WWWWBW | BBBBBBBBBBB|BBBBBBBB>> Outlet> Outlet
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