If you are adding the pull chain to an existing fixture then the pull chain switch should have two wires. Wire nut either one to the hot wire coming in and the other to the black wire of the fixture.
You have both a mechanical and electrical issue. From a mechanical standpoint you need the switch mounted securely in the fixture. The switch will have two black wires or two terminals. You need to insert the switch in series with the black wire going to the fixture. Let's say that the black wire from a supply is connected to the black wire in the fixture with a wirenut. Undo the two wires and connect each wire to a wire on the switch.
To control a light with a switch, the switch has to be connected in series with the light fixture.
The pull chain on the porcelain light fixture can be converted to a wall switch very easily. You will need to install a new two wire #14 cable from the box the fixture is mounted to now to the new wall switch box. Remove the power to the circuit by shutting that circuit's breaker off. The wire that is connected to the switch in the light fixture is the incoming "hot" wire. Disconnect it and re connect it to the black wire that goes down to the switch. Disconnect the white wire from the old porcelain fixture. For the installation of the porcelain fixture connect the white wire to the silver screw on the new fixture. Now connect the white wire that returns from the switch to the brass coloured screw on the new fixture. Mark this white wire with a small piece of black electrical tape to re identify it as not a neutral (code rule) but a potential "hot" wire. At the switch end make sure that the black wire is connected to the top screw and the re identified white wire (with a black tape marker) is connected to the bottom screw of the switch. Connect the ground wire in the cable to the new switch box and the existing fixture box. Install the switch making sure that the switch is in the off position and that the handle in facing downwards. Install switch plate cover, turn the breaker back on and you are finished. This project is relatively easy to do if there is already an existing wall box close to the pull-chain switch BUT ONLY if it already has the right wiring in it.If there is no such wall box then a new one will have to be installed and wired. If you already know how to do that safely you would not be asking this question here!For some relevant information, please see the related question below about replacing a wall switch by a pull switch. 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 JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
Yes. The Home Depot has a kit for about $10 that converts a recessed can to accept a standard fixture. Weight limit is about 10 pounds.
If you have good access to the wiring this is relatively easy to do. Each of the 10 lights is connected to another in parallel in a "daisy chain" fashion. Light 1 is connected to the switch, light 2 is connected to light 1, light 3 is connected to light 2 and so forth. Let's say it is light 5 that you wish to switch separately. You can first install the new switch by either adding a new box or modifying old switch box. There are two gang switches that will fit the form factor of a single switch. TURN OFF THE POWER TO SWITCH BOX. Using the same supply input at original switch, add a new black wire to the wire nut for input to original switch and connect this to the input of new switch. Then run a new wire to light 5 and connect black wire to the output of new switch. Connect all the white wires together in switch box and separately connect all bare wires together in switch box. Now at light 5 undo the black and white wire coming from the fixture, and reconnect the wire nuts so that there is a direct connection between light 4 and light 6. Do the same for the ground if present (bare wire). You now have the fixture wires hanging free. Now connect the black wire from new switch to the fixture black wire and white to white and you are done.
To install a new fixture to replace the one that was removed reconnect the two hot wires together and then reconnect the two neutral wires together. Place the two wires from the new fixture to the corresponding wire colours that you just spliced together. This wiring should be down stream from the light switch. When the switch is turned on the new fixture should light. If this is not the scenario of your question then more information needs to be given.
This sounds very strange. You should not have an unswitched bathroom light. Replace fixture with one with a pull chain. Turn breaker off before changing the 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
Switching a light fixture requires the following steps. First, remove the old fixture. Second, you must disconnect the wiring. Third, a junction box must be installed. Finally, a new fixture must be installed. Detailed instructions can be found here: http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/replace-a-bathroom-light-fixture/index.html
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.
The light is wired the same as any voltage fixture. Bring the source voltage to the fixture and connect it to the two fixture wires. If you want to control the off-on of the fixture take the source voltage to a switch first and then out of the switch to the light fixture.
To control a light with a switch, the switch has to be connected in series with the light fixture.
It just holds the bulb, does not have a switch in the fixture.
That's one I've never seen. Does the bathroom light turn ON when the bedroom light is switched Off? Does the bathroom light switch turn the bathroom light on and off normally when the bedroom light switch is left on? Need to answer these questions, then find where the bathroom light power comes from. It's power supply should either go directly from the power oanel to the bathroom light or to the bathroom light switch. The bathroom light switch merely acts as an interrupter for the hot leg of this power supply.
Shut off the breaker that supplies the voltage to the fluorescent fixture. Wire the new pull chain switch in series with the black incoming wire and the black wire of the ballast. Turn the breaker back on and your switch will now control the off on operation of the light fixture.
See discussion
To remove a glued on bathroom light fixture from a mirror, the best product to use is WD-40. Spray on the WD-40 and wait a few minutes while holding up the light fixture so it will not suddenly fall. Gently pull on the light fixture while using a putty knife to scrape the area underneath the lamp next to the mirror. Glue residue can also be cleaned up with the WD-40 after the fixture releases.
The mansion has gold-plated bathroom fixtures.