How to Add a Wall Switch to Light Fixture Controlled by a Chain

How to add a wall switch to a light fixture that is turned on and off by a chain/cord

Steps

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    Decide where you want to place your switch. Generally wall switches are on the right-hand side, a few feet/metres past the door opening. Go around your house and measure the height of other switches. 60" or 1.5m from the floor is common.
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    Always turn off the power to the fixture. If there are other people in the home, always tell them that you have turned off the power, or leave a note on the breaker/fuse box so someone doesn't accidentally turn it.[1] [2]
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    Measure the distance from your fixture to the location of your new switch...always add an extra 12" or 30 centimeter (11.8 in) to your measurement - it's always better to have too much electrical wire than not enough.
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    Check your fixture with a power tester to ensure that there is no power. Remove the black (or "hot") wire only. Leave the white (or "neutral") and any ground (green or bare) wires on the fixture.[3]
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    Strip 2"/5 centimeter (2.0 in) of the plastic sheathing from the end of the black and white wires.
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    Connect the black wire from the electrical cable with the black wire you just removed from your fixture. Always use screw-on wire connectors..never use electrical tape. Ensure that the connection is tight.[4]
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    Using a black marker, "re-code" the white wire from your electrical cable to black. Mark on the plastic sheathing with a permanent marker so that anyone will know this is now a "hot" wire.[5]
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    Connect your re-coded "hot" wire to the fixture. You should now have a white and re-coded black wire on your fixture.
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    At your new wall switch, pull all the wires through the back of the electrical box. Strip black and white wires as in step 5. Connect the ground wire to the electrical box itself (there should be a screw at the back or side of the box).
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    You will need to re-code the white wire as a "hot" wire with a marker, as in step 7.[6]
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    Screw the black wire to the top screw on your switch. This will be the top of your switch.
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    Screw your newly re-coded second "hot" wire (white) to the bottom screw. Ensure that both screws are secure and screw the switch into the electrical box. Do not attach the cover until you check that everything functions correctly
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    Flick the switch to the "off" position, then turn on power to the fixture.
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    Test that your new switch works. If it does not, double check that you have not turned off the fixture from the chain/cord.
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    You should always leave the light"on" at the chain/cord in order to have full control from the wall switch. You can still use the chain, however this defeats the purpose of having a wall switch.
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    Provided everything works, you can close up your light fixture and attach a switch plate cover.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    How can I add a pull cord to overhead lighting?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You will have to replace the existing fixture with one that includes a pull cord.
  • Question
    I replaced an old outlet from 2 prong to a 3 prong. I replaced the wires exactly haw it was on the old outlet, but my tester reads "hot/neutral reversed." How do I fix this?
    Daverwaterloo
    Daverwaterloo
    Community Answer
    The new outlet may be in a different configuration from the old one. New outlets have a left side that has a wider slot than the right side. The wider (left) slot is the neutral (white), while the narrower (right) side is the hot wire (black). Generally the hot side has a brass screw and the neutral side has a silver screw. You'll need to reverse the wires on the back of the outlet.
  • Question
    The overhead light in my dining room does not turn on after adding new light bulbs. How do I diagnose where the problem is?
    Daverwaterloo
    Daverwaterloo
    Community Answer
    Will it turn on if you remove and/or replace the new bulbs? If so, you just have a defective bulb. If not, there may be a short somewhere in the circuit. To diagnose this, remove the light switch and ensure all the connections are tight and not touching other wires or the electrical box. If the switch is okay, check the light fixture that all the wiring is attached securely and not touching other wires.
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Warnings

  • Ensure that it is legal in your country/state to do your own electrical work. If you are at all unsure, get a licensed electrician to do any electrical work in your home.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • Always do any electrical work carefully and neatly. Double check all connections are tight.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/projectselectrical.htm
  2. ↑ Daniel Stoescu. Master Electrician. Expert Interview. 16 August 2021.
  3. ↑ https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/how-to-add-a-wall-switch-to-a-ceiling-fixture/9ba683603be9fa5395fab90cccd0361
  4. ↑ https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/how-to-add-a-wall-switch-to-a-ceiling-fixture/9ba683603be9fa5395fab90cccd0361
  5. ↑ https://www.do-it-yourself-help.com/light-switch-wiring-diagrams.html
  6. ↑ https://www.do-it-yourself-help.com/light-switch-wiring-diagrams.html

About This Article

Daniel Stoescu
Co-authored by:
Daniel Stoescu
Master Electrician
This article was co-authored by Daniel Stoescu. Daniel Stoescu is a Master Electrician and the Owner and Operator of Home Tech Solutions, LLC in Hampton, Virginia. With over a decade of experience, Daniel specializes in wiring residential, commercial, and light industrial structures. The Home Tech Solutions team has over four decades of combined experience and offers comprehensive solutions for residential electrical needs. This article has been viewed 173,696 times.
5 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 7
Updated: August 17, 2021
Views: 173,696
Categories: Lighting
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