In my living room there isn't a ceiling fixture present. There are 4 non-switched outlets. Can a fixture be installed with a switch by using one of the outlets as the power source? If so how can I accomplish this? I am pretty handy and can run wire and do minimal electrical work.
2006-10-31 01:26:02 · 8 answers · asked by DAS 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Absolutely. Use a fixture that has a switch installed in the power cord. Swag lamps look pretty good, 'cause you can droop the power cord down to the power outlet.
2006-10-31 01:34:04 · answer #1 · answered by stretch 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can do it but to the best of my Jane-Of-All-Trades knowledge, you would need to tear a section of wall out to get to the outlet box to run some wire unless you can get to the top of the wall from your 'attic' space and use a 1/2" to 3/4" paddle bit to drill a hole in the top plate so you can feed wire to the outlet box. You will have to run a wire from one of the outlets up to the ceiling to the light box you installed before you started to tear the wall out or at least the part around the box so you could get your hands on the wire to pull enough of it to work with. I would suggest you go to the library or to a box home improvement store and get a book on basic electricity. I have the Sunset book about it and it is well written for us laymen. Overall the process isn't complicated, just time consuming and aggravating. And REMEMBER! Electricity is DANGEROUS! (1) You can't see it and (2) It can kill you.
And if you want a ceiling fan, then you can also run a 4 strand wire to the ceiling fixture and set it so that the fan is controlled by the pull chain and the light is controlled by a switch on the wall. Then you can leave the fan running (or not) and just have to flip a switch on a wall for lights instead of stumbling about in the dark groping for the light cord, which is an enormous pain when you are tired or half asleep and there are THINGS for your bare toes to find the hard way. (Not that I've ever kicked the coffee table or a chair or anything)
2006-10-31 01:52:05 · answer #2 · answered by raptorsmoonrising 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you looked in the attic above the ceiling? Sometimes there are wires running around up there you can tap into. Put all new connections in a box, be sure to turn off power. Now you can use a fixture with a pull chain or remote.
2006-10-31 03:57:11 · answer #3 · answered by Rahz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the easiest way would be to add a extension box to one of the outlets the type used for raceway..this will bring out the outlet flush with the wall now pig tail your hot and neutral wires .add the 5 foot sections up the wall and across the ceiling to the spot where the lite/fan is going to be.make sure you are centered to the room .now find witch way the ceiling joist run .you will have to install a ceiling fan bracket to saftly support the assembly.hook up your wires and use the pull chains to operate or install a switch on the wall using a raceway switch.i hope you understand what I'm trying to explain
2006-10-31 03:53:11 · answer #4 · answered by ata31254 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This one pretty easy you should attach a new wire to the existing power supply (black to black, white to white, and bare or green to bare or green) and run the wire into a workbox with a standard switch (single pull/single throw) from the switch box run another wire to the ceiling. In the switch box connect the white common wires in a wirenut and attach the black hot wires to the switch and connec tthe bare or green ground to the green screw on the switch. The switch is now able to cut power to the ceiling fixture which you install.
2006-10-31 01:42:25 · answer #5 · answered by Brian K² 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
actually have ANY of these people checked the NEC? (national electrical code) the answer is NOOOOOO!!! You cannot tap off anoutlet to feed a ceiling fixture... there are other ways to do this but NOT that way
2006-10-31 09:41:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes you can. just tap into the closest receptacle(power off first!) keep the ground wire and white wire intact, and run your black wire through the switch. connect ground wire to your light fixture, white wire to white wire, and black wire to black wire. you didn't say, so make sure you have the right circuit breaker to handle the amp load. happy wiring!
2006-10-31 01:38:20 · answer #7 · answered by boots 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
easiest way is to get one that is remote control.
2006-10-31 02:49:18 · answer #8 · answered by midnighttoker 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋