I have a master bedroom that has three switched outlets (top outlet only on each) that is switched from two locations in the room. I want to add a ceiling light (no fan- just a ceiling fixture with two 60 watt sockets. I don't mind the switched outlets being switched if that makes it easier for install. What do I need to look for and what is the easiest way to connect so that I can utilize both switches without having to open up walls and run lots of wiring. I have access in the attic to install the light and run wire to the wall in which the the switch leading into the bedroom is located. I figured I could drill a hole in the top plate and fish the wire down into either the switch box or one of the switched outlets that is located below the switch. In the switch box there appears to be three blacks wired together and three whites wired together with a red going to the switch at the bottom. I have not taking out the switch yet to look and see what other wires connect to the switch, nor have I pulled out the outlet to see what's going on in there. Any help you can give me in hooking up the light would be appreciated. Would like to get it installed as a Valentines Day present to spouse.
So I guess my question is: Do I run the wire to the switch from the light or does it need to go to the switched outlet. What wires do I need to connect so that the light is switched at both locations in the room and becomes part of the switched outlet run. I'm assuming that everything I need is in the box for the switch leading into the room and that if I group the black and white with the combined ones that are already in the box that it's already set up with wires ponytailed off to switch. What is the best way to go about connecting the light to the switched outlet run. –
Best Answer
You could run a cable from the light fixture to a switched outlet and just put the ceiling light in parallel with the switched outlet and leave the outlet switched for a corded lamp, or you could disconnect the switched cable in the receptacle box so that the switch only operates the the new ceiling fixture. You'd put in a new receptacle with the metal tab connections intact so the receptacle would be powered without being switchable. This would leave no abandoned wire in the wall. but it might be more difficult to fish a wire to a receptacle low on a wall than to fish into a switch box higher on the wall.
Alternatively, you could run a cable from the ceiling light fixture to a wall box with a switch and this might be easier than working lower on the wall. You would probably want to disconnect the old wire to the receptacle, but you could have the switch control both the overhead light and the receptacle.
The problem with either might be overfilling the box. If either of the boxes is the smaller size, you might have to replace it with a deeper box. Replacing the box will make fishing the wires much easier. I have seen experienced electricians in a team fish into an existing switch box in place, but I have never done it.