Light becomes more precious as people get older. A house considered well-lit for 20 years may suddenly need more. One way to solve this dilemma is to add more lights to the ceilings. Before you get started, check local building codes for the size of the wire needed, or if a licensed electrician has to do the work.
Instructions
1. Determine the area on the ceiling where you want to add a ceiling light. Make sure it is not the same location as a ceiling joist. The ideal place is between two ceiling joists so a ceiling fan can be added later if you want. This will give you a solid surface to install the ceiling fan bracket.
2. Using a keyhole saw, cut a hole in the ceiling large enough to install the junction box for the ceiling light. Feed enough of the wire through the hole so it will be easily found when you go into the attic.
3. Climb into the attic and find the wire, feed it through the junction box, then secure the junction box to a ceiling joist with drywall screws. Take the wire to the part of the attic where the house wires feed into the electrical panel (breaker box). Feed enough of the wire so you can access it inside the breaker box.
4. Go back to the room where you cut the hole in the ceiling and cut the wire, leaving at least 12 inches hanging from the ceiling. Strip the insulation to expose at least 1 inch of bare wire and install the ceiling light according to the manufacturer's instructions.
5. Strip the insulation from the wire at the breaker box. Follow the instructions from the breaker manufacturer to connect the wire correctly.
Tags: ceiling light, ceiling joist, enough wire, Feed enough, Feed enough wire, hole ceiling