Wiring An Attic Pull Light Fixture

Always turn off the electric to the circuit you are working on.

Wiring an attic pull light fixture.

Several types of remodeling boxes can do the job but we recommend a 2 x 3 in metal remodeling box that s 2 1 2 in deep for fixtures up to about 6 lbs. Now run a new wire from this new box into the existing light fixture. Most light fixtures have two electrical wires with colored insulation and a copper ground wire. If the voltage indicator doesn t light up the power is off.

Step 3 run the wire. Disconnect the wire going to your light fixture shut the breaker off first and then wire it to an outlet. To add an outlet to a light switch you start by making a pigtail using the hot wire the wire going to the fixture controlled by the switch and a third length of wire. Connect the hot wire to the brass screw and the neutral wire to the silver.

Attic light and switch wiring kirk because there is power to an existing light fixture in the attic area then the additional light switch and light fixture will be relatively straight forward. You can buy an unkeyed fixture or just keep the keyed and stop using the pull chain. I show the steps to install a pull chain light fixture. If possible you should run the electrical wire through the attic or basement.

If it is a drywall ceiling then cut out a circle using your drywall saw. You then splice all the white wires and all the ground wires in the switch box together. However it s likely that the light fixture was mounted in the middle of a stud cavity which makes mounting a box that can support the weight of the fixture more difficult. Touch one voltage tester probe to the black wire and the other to the white wire.

Turn off the power remove the light bulb and unscrew the fixture from the electrical box. Hook up the outlet as you normally would. The light switch should be located close to the opening to the attic entrance where a 2 wire cable with ground is installed up to the existing light fixture. Determine where you will be installing your pull chain light fixture.

Do not install your box yet. Pull the fixture down but keep your hands away from the wires.