How do you replace an on and off chain switch with a wall switch?

Answer 1

The device that holds a light bulb is called a keyed lampholder or a pull chain lampholder. These have the switch built into the base of the holder and have switch that looks like a key or a pull chain to operate the switch. Wire the continuous "hot' wire to the brass screw on the lamp holder (the other side of the switch is attached to the light socket at the factory). The neutral white wire will go onto the silver screw terminal.

See related link below for some examples.

There also pull-chain and other "canopy" switches that you could, in theory, install in an existing light fixture. However, it would almost certainly violate any UL or other safety listing on that fixture, perhaps causing problems with your inspector or insurance.

Answer 2

Another alternative is to run electrical wire from an existing light switch to the fan. In that manner, the light switch will control fan operation. You will need enough electrical wire to cover the span (the distance from the light switch, up the wall, through the attic, to the fan). De-install the ceiling fan and let it hang from the "hanger" provided by the manufacturer. Go in the attic and run one end of the wire through the hole left by the hanging fan. "Drop" the other end of the wire down the wall by the electrical switch and into the outlet box. Wire appropriately at both the switch and the fan.

This is a simple and clean installation.

AnswerIf you don't want to cut a hole in the wall, you can run the wire in conduit and screw a box on the wall. It will be ugly and utilitarian. If you want to install a switch like normal, you need to cut a hole in the wall.

As for the wiring, buy a book from the home center. They are around $20 and make great refrences when you can't remember the codes for a particular job. (Wiring a light to a switch is grade school science class material. If you don't know, you need to read a book on the subject.)

As stated above, you can surface mount either electrical conduit or wire/cable designed for exposed surface mounting and run into a switch box. Doing so will leave everything exposed... in other words, it won't be very pretty unless you like it that way.

Answer 3

I assume that whe you say "hard wired", you mean that it doesn't curreltly have a switch and you have to turn the bulb out to turn off the light...

You can purchase an inexpensive ceramic light socket with an internal pull string switch that will most likely replace your current light socket. They are only a few dollars and have a string attached. You can certainly add more string if it makes using the light more convenient. The ceramic fixture would be available at most hardware stores, such as Lowes or Ace Hardware.

Answer 4

The best solution is call an electrician. If you want to do it yourself, well, the NEC is clear that only person properly trained to do the work are legally allowed to do it.

Assuming you are referring to a light, or as the code calls it a luminaire, controlled by a pull chain, and you want to connect a switch using wires (and you are not considering using a remote switch) then the steps go something like this:

Before starting consider these issues:

Work with only one hand when possible, wear insulated gloves, wear rubber soled shoes, remove all jewelry and metallic objects from your person, do not use aluminum ladders. Work with someone else or have another person present in the house who can call for help if something goes wrong.

Identify the circuit breaker controlling the circuit the light is on, shut it off, note the amperage rating on the circuit breaker. Secure the panel so that no one inadvertently turns on the circuit while you are working. This usually means locking the panel and putting a tag on it telling people where you are and what you are working on.

Carefully remove the luminaire cover or base so you can see the box underneath with the wiring. If you have a voltage sniffer, use it now to make sure the circuit is indeed off. If you don't have a voltage sniffer (Volt Alert AC Non Contact Voltage Tester), borrow or buy one, because if you are not sure what you are doing than a voltage sniffer is the safest thing to use before you start touching conductors. Once you have determined voltage does not appear to be present you can touch the conductors, look for terminals on the light attaching the circuits black wire (or red) - hot conductor - and the white wire - neutral conductor. Before touching any conductors, or dissembling anything further use a meter to test the conductors as voltage sniffers are not considered reliable.

Secure the box for the switch on or in the wall where you want it. In placing the box consider the fact that you will need to pull wire to it. If the circuit breaker was a 15 amp circuit breaker, you likely want to use 14 gauge romex or armored cable (AC) 2-wire (white, black and grounding), if it was a 20 amp breaker, you need 12 gauge. Pull your wire from one direction or the other (luminaire to box or box to luminaire) - this usually means removing some amount of dry wall and boring holes through joists, rafters, and/or studs, and pulling the wire through the holes. A cut in box with butterfly clamps can be used to hold the single pole switch for the light. Alternately there are some options for running the wires on the wall using external surface mounted raceways, and mounting the box on the wall instead of inside the wall.

Since your power (the circuit conductors) is already at the luminaire, you are wiring what a lot of electricians call a "dead end", because the circuit dead ends at the switch as there will be no neutral conductor there. First, at the light, take the grounding (bare wire) from the romex you have pulled and integrate into the grounding means at the light. Do not take the circuit's white (neutral) off the luminaire but only the black, then wind clockwise this black wire together with the white wire of the romex you have pulled to the switch, and secure them with a wire nut. Wrapped black tape electrical tape around this white wire to re identify it as a hot conductor. At the light take the black wire of the romex you have pulled and fasten it to the light at the point where you have removed the circuits original black conductor (this terminal should be one with a bronze colored screw). Now at the switch also wrap black electrical tape around the white wire. Attach the the conductors to the switch (bare grounding is attached first). It doesn't matter if the re-identified white is one top or bottom. At both the switch and the light make sure there are no lose connections, or conductors with broken insulation exposing copper, or unprotected unconnected conductors. Any lose conductors which are not attached should always have wire nuts on them before energizing the circuit again. You might energize the circuit and carefully test it before affixing the switch to the box and putting the faceplate on, and reassembling the luminaire, or you might not feel comfortable doing this since it means exposed energized wires. Don't do anything you don't feel safe doing.

Again, the best solution is call an electrician.

Answer 5

Yes, but the light switch has to be on all the time. To do it permanently remove the switch and wire nut the two wires that were on the switch together. Be sure to put a blank switch plate cover over the switch box.

Answer 6

Yes