wiring for ceiling light in room with only a switched outlet and no ceiling light?

Question

My room has no ceiling light and only a switched outlet that i can plug a lamp into. The thing is that the lamps i have are not bright enough... i like it bright. Can anyone please let me know how to install a ceiling light. Can i go into the attic and run the switch wire to the junction box that will be installed? thanks in advance for the help.

Answer 1

I have done this before. First you need to know what is running from the breaker that controls the outlet and switch. A 15 amp breaker can only handle at most 6 plugs or light fixtures. Flip off the appropriate breaker, and check to see what else doesn't work. If the light you want to add makes 6 or less items on the breaker you'll be ok.

The hard part of the operation is fishing the wire inside the wall from the attic, down to the switch. You'll probably want to get a 'fish tape'.
Ceiling lights are usually in the center of the room. Determine where you want the light. Drill a small hole up through the ceiling where you want the light. Push a stiff wire, like a coat hanger through the hole. Then go into the attic and find the wire. Use a ceiling electrical box. It will have adjustable arms to nail into the attic joists. Trace the box around your pilot hole. Then cut the hole. Mount the box so it is flush with the drywall.
Now the fun part. Find the top of the wall, above the switch. Drill a 3/4 inch hole through the top of the wall. Pull the light switch out of the box(WITH THE POWER OFF), and remove on of the tabs in the top of the box. Then use 14 gage wire. One end in the ceiling box, and fish the other end down inside the wall to the switch. Hook up the wires to the switch, install the light according to the directions that come with it, turn the power back on and you're done.

A simpler option is a 'swag' type light fixture. One that is hung from a chain, with a power cord and plug in the chain. They were common in the 60's and 70's, and could give the room a nice 'retro' look. Just hang the fixture form an anchor in the ceiling and plug it in to the outlet the switch controls.

Answer 2

The best bet would be to call an electrician. It's hard sometimes to give electrical advice, since you can't see what the person is talking about and you don't know all the facts

But, to give you some idea of the job, does your switched receptacle have one plug that stays hot all the time? some do, in case you have a clock or something that needs constant power. Pick a ceiling location and make a small opening, go in the attic and see where the hole came through. You can buy a ceiling box that has runners to attach to the studs. Then you'll have to drill a hole in the top of the wall above the switch and run a wire in the wall up to the ceiling. Then wire up the fixture and the switch, then turn the power back on and it should work. You may need to install a extra switch and get a different or new feed for the power too.
So what I'm saying is to call a pro and get them in to do it, be safe, we don't want any fires.

Answer 3

there is more to it than that. you need an electrician to determine if the circuit will handle the additional load. do you want the outlet to still be controlled by the switch? or just live like other outlets in your house? or are you going to have a switch for each? next, is the switch the live point or is the outlet? do you know how to determine which is? see, the power could go to the switch and then to the outlet, or to the outlet and then a runner goes to the switch to control the outlet. making the proper connections and running the wires through the walls is the easy part, knowing how the wiring works is where you will need the help. do yourself a favor and be safe and call an electrician. good luck.

Answer 4

If you're having a junction box installed, doesn't that include the wire running to it? If not, why not ask the contractor/electrician to run the wire also. This way, at least you know it'll be up to code.

Answer 5

first determine where in celing you want light then make a small pilot hole to make sure you miss the celing rafters. then open up the hole to the size of celing box you will install in the attic fitting this box between the rafters. the box and support is usually nailed to the rafter. wire the box then from the room install light

Answer 6

Also consider track lighting

It sounds like you don't have enough outlets in your room. Be careful because most rooms have more outlets so you could be overloading a circuit.

Whenever you don't know what you are doing with electricity-call a professional.