How to Wire Two Lights From One Switch When Getting My Power From a Receptacle

Multiple lights can be run from a single switch.

Combining more than one ceiling fixture on a single switch is an easy do-it-yourself project for most homeowners with basic electrical and carpentry skills. This article describes how to wire a circuit for two lights but can be adapted for any number of fixtures controlled by a single switch. Plan on devoting an afternoon to this project.

Things You'll Need

• Keyhole saw or utility knife
• Hammer
• Chisel (optional)
• Fish tape for threading cable
• Two-wire BX (metal sheathed) cable
• Two-wire NM (non-metallic sheathed) cable
• Screwdriver
• Switch
• Switch box
• Light fixtures
• Fixture junction boxes and brace bar
• Fasteners (wood screws and finishing nails)
• Electrical connectors
• Drywall repair kit.

Instructions

1. Cut the wall and ceiling openings for the switch and fixtures. Cut the holes for the ceiling fixtures according to the manufacturer's instructions. Make the holes large enough to access the ceiling joists. Above the hole for the switch, where the ceiling and wall meet, cut a 1x2-inch hole to thread cable across the ceiling.

2. Remove the baseboards between the power source outlet and the switch unless the switch is directly above the outlet. Make 1x2 cuts at the bottom of the wall below the outlet and switch to feed cable. The cable will run in the space between the drywall and the floor.

3. Install the hardware. Hang a metal brace bar between two adjacent joists. Attach a fixture junction box to each brace bar. The fixture will hang from the junction box. Do not rely on the ceiling to support a light fixture. Install the switch box by attaching it to the wall. It does not need to be attached to a joist.

4. Turn off the power to the circuit.

5. Run two-wire BX cable through the floor holes from the switch box to the outlet. You may have to cut grooves in wall studs to allow the cable to pass. If the switch is directly above the outlet, simply drop the cable down.

6. Run two-wire NM cable from the switch to the first fixture by passing fish tape through the wall-ceiling hole and across the ceiling. At the fixture hole hook the cable to the fish tape and draw it back to the hole. Drop the cable down to the switch hole.

7. Run two-wire NM cable from the first fixture to the second.

8. Make the wire connections. Connect the black wires at the switch to the switch terminals. Connect the the white wires. At the first fixture box connect all of the black wires together and ground the circuit to the junction box. Do the same for the white wires. At the second fixture box connect the black and white wires to the light fixture and ground the fixture on the junction box.

9. Hang the fixtures according to the manufacturer's instructions. Affix the switch to its box and replace the receptacle in its box. Replace the baseboards and patch the drywall holes using a drywall patching kit.

Tips & Warnings

• Use metal-sheathed cable to protect the wires from being damaged by the finishing nails in the baseboards.

References

• "The Big Book of Home How-To;" Better Homes and Gardens; 2003