Light fixtures vary in size, shape and overall design, but they all connect to power in the same way. Installing a new fixture requires the installation of a new electrical box to hold the splicing and secure the light fixture. This also requires the addition of a new light switch. The next question is where to get power to feed this new fixture.
Instructions
1. Locate where the new ceiling light will be located on the ceiling and mark the spot. Using the drywall saw, cut a hole just big enough for the new ceiling fixture electrical box. Knock out one of the box knockouts so this will already be done once the box is secured. The box should sit flush with the ceiling. Secure the box to the closest ceiling joist.
2. Locate the circuit that will feed the new ceiling light. Most new ceiling lights are fed from existing ceiling light circuits. Locate the closest ceiling light circuit that can be used to feed the new light. Cut off power to that circuit and use the voltage tester to verify that the power is off. Remove the existing light fixture from that electrical box to allow access to the existing electrical splice. Place a section of NM-B cable from the existing light fixture to the new light fixture allowing 6 inches of cable inside the electrical boxes.
3. Locate where the light switch will be located. Cut a hole in the wall where the light switch electrical box will be located and knockout one of the top electrical box knockouts, if not already done. Drill a hole in the double head board in the attic above the light switch location. Push a fish tape or 12 gauge wire through the hole until it reaches the hole that was cut in the wall. Secure the NM-B to the end of the fish tape or wire and pull it back up through the hole. Pull enough cable to reach the new light fixture box plus about 1 foot. At the wall switch location, cut the NM-B cable about 8 inches from the wall and push that end through the knockout in the light switch box. Secure the light switch box flush to the wall. Strip 1/2 inch of insulation off the switch end of the NM-B cable. Connect the black wire to the bronze terminal of the light switch. Connect the white wire to the silver terminal of the light switch. Secure the switch to the switch box and mount the cover.
4. Use a black permanent marker or piece of black electrical tape to mark the white wire that runs from the light switch to the new light fixture. Strip 1/2 inch of insulation off all wires that enter the new light fixture electrical box. Connect the black wire coming from the existing light fixture to the black wire running to the switch. Connect the white wire, which is marked and comes from the switch, to the black wire of the new light fixture. Connect the white wire from the existing light fixture to the white wire of the new light fixture.
5. Move to the existing light fixture. Strip 1/2 inch of insulation off the new wire that enters the existing light fixture electrical box. Connect the new black wire to the existing black wires, and connect the new white wire to the existing white wires. Push all wires back into the electrical boxes and secure all light fixtures.
6. Turn the power back on and test the new light's operation.
Tags: light fixture, light switch, existing light, existing light fixture, white wire