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First of all, does this mean that the light is permanently on?

Basically what a switch does is interrupt the current flow going to the light. When you turn it on, it makes the connection that is already there with plain wire.

So, installing a switch involves finding the hot wire that goes to the light, cutting it, and connecting each end of the switch to each section of wire. YOU MUST DISCONNECT POWER BEFORE DOING THIS, OR YOU WILL ELECTROCUTE YOURSELF.

Also, completing a project like this in a manner that is up to code is quite a bit more complicated than my explanation. The code is there for your safety, following it is common sense. You must use an approved switch, in an approved box, mounted securely in an appropriate manner, etc. If you aren't completely sure you know what you're doing, don't do it.

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8y ago
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14y ago

The plain answer is that you can't! Actually, proper wiring methods aside, if you install the new light the way you plan, it will only work when the switch is off, and not properly...

Draw it out on paper... <><><> You start over. You don't have all the necessary wires in the box you describe.

All you have is two hot wires: an unswitched hot from the breaker panel and a switched hot to the light. You couldn't even add another light from that switch without additional rewiring.

To add lights, you would need to go to the light fixture and run a new cable (black and white wires) from there to the new light. Otherwise, the new light would have no neutral connection.

You could, in theory, add a 3-way switch configuration to the existing switched wires you mention, after you add the light as described above. For more information about that, with a wiring diagram, see the Related Link shown below.

Electronic remote wireless switches are available to convert a 2 pole switch to a 3 way. Check with your electrical supplier or contractor. <><><> As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed. Before you do any work yourself,

on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,

always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized. IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

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14y ago

To change a switch:

  1. Disable the circuit, (turn off the breaker to the circuit or remove the fuse if it's an older home)
  2. pull the old switch away from the switch box by backing out the two screws that hold the switch in place.
  3. Remove the wires from the old switch.
  4. Make certain that you get the same KIND of switch (I assume that if it's just two wires that you have a simple, on/off switch)
  5. Connect the two wires to the new switch, it doesn't matter which wire goes to which post, just so long as they don't touch each other.
  6. put the switch back in the switch box, make certain that when the switch is on, it's UP.
  7. Put the screws and the switch cover back.
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Q: How do you wire a light switch to an existing light that does not have a switch?
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Can you connect a wall switch and a light fixture to an existing light fixture?

If the question is, can I wire a switch to an existing light fixture (and I must assume that it's something like a pull-chain light fixture), the answer is yes.If the question is, "how do I wire a switch to an existing light fixture that has no external switch", the answer is, "in series".The attached web site gives simple instructions on how to wire a basic light switch to an existing light.See sources and related links below


How do you add another porch light to an existing switch?

Piggyback off the box for the existing light. Run a wire from the existing junction box to a new junction box (which is placed wherever you want the new fixture). Then, in the existing box, connect the wire coming from the switch, the wire for the existing fixture, and the wire for the new fixture together using wire nuts. Wire up the new fixture, and presto, you have two fixtures on a switch where there was only one before.


Single light switch you want to put in a double for your fan and light how do you do it?

You have to pull a new wire. There is no way to do it with the existing wire, at least no way you should do it and be in code.


How do you wire a light and switch with the 2 wire old romex?

with a standard 1 pole light switch (one switch operating the light) it is black wire to black wire and white to white (non grounded)


Can you change a light switch to toggle switch outlet?

You can if you have a neutral wire present. If the existing switch is what is called a "switch loop" then you can not change the existing switch to a switched outlet. You can identify a switch loop by looking at the wires coming into the switch bow. If there are only one set of wires usually a black and white and they go directly to the switch then you have a switch loop

Related questions

Can you connect a wall switch and a light fixture to an existing light fixture?

If the question is, can I wire a switch to an existing light fixture (and I must assume that it's something like a pull-chain light fixture), the answer is yes.If the question is, "how do I wire a switch to an existing light fixture that has no external switch", the answer is, "in series".The attached web site gives simple instructions on how to wire a basic light switch to an existing light.See sources and related links below


How do you add another porch light to an existing switch?

Piggyback off the box for the existing light. Run a wire from the existing junction box to a new junction box (which is placed wherever you want the new fixture). Then, in the existing box, connect the wire coming from the switch, the wire for the existing fixture, and the wire for the new fixture together using wire nuts. Wire up the new fixture, and presto, you have two fixtures on a switch where there was only one before.


How do you hook up a light and switch from an existing light?

Add a light to switch from a different circuitI think here your concern is that you don't want change the performance of the circuit to which you add the light.so you have to use a relay or a solid state relay to the circuit and a separate power supply to the light in compliance with all the safety rules.


Single light switch you want to put in a double for your fan and light how do you do it?

You have to pull a new wire. There is no way to do it with the existing wire, at least no way you should do it and be in code.


How do you wire a light and switch with the 2 wire old romex?

with a standard 1 pole light switch (one switch operating the light) it is black wire to black wire and white to white (non grounded)


Can you change a light switch to toggle switch outlet?

You can if you have a neutral wire present. If the existing switch is what is called a "switch loop" then you can not change the existing switch to a switched outlet. You can identify a switch loop by looking at the wires coming into the switch bow. If there are only one set of wires usually a black and white and they go directly to the switch then you have a switch loop


How do you wire an additional light to another light with a switch?

In the wall switch box you should have a white and black pair from your source of power (120 volts). The other pair of black and white wires from the wall box should be going to the light fixture junction box. With the power off, connect the two white wires together with a wire nut. Connect the two bare copper ground wires together making sure that at least one of the ground wires goes under the green screw in the switch junction box. Turn the switch to the off position, no little indicator bump showing on the switch toggle lever. Now take the black incoming hot wire and put it under the top screw on the switch. Hot wires always go to the top of switches. Now put the black wire that is going to the light fixture under the bottom screw. Tighten both. Install the switch into the wall box with the switch handle in the down position. All switches when installed must be off in the down position. Install the switch plate cover.


When a light switch is turned on what travels through the wire?

Current flows through a wire when a light switch is turned on.


How do you wire a pull switch on a hard wire ceiling light that has no switch?

Two options. Change the fixture to a keyed pull-chain, or add a pull-chain adapter to the existing fixture. Both available from Home Depot and others for about $3.


How do you install a new ventilation fan on a second light switch using the power from the existing light switch?

you probably can't, you need a neutral and a live wire to make a fan work. switches normally only have live wires.


Light switch has 4 wire colors red and white and green and black which is the hot wire?

You have a 3 way switch. Your black wire is the hot wire. Your green wire is the ground wire. Your red and white wires go to the light and other switch. You should have gotten a wiring diagram with your switch.


How do you install a dimmer to a light installed with W wire B wire and ground W running into the switch box if the switch box has power from B wire W wire and ground?

If you have one wire into your switch box for your light. this is called a switch leg, the dimmer should be wired across the black and white wire wires.