How to Install Wall Sconce Lighting

A wall sconce can make a room feel larger.

Mounting wall sconces can give a room or a hallway a larger or wider feel. They are used to accent and enhance lighting that already exists in a room. Mostly decorative, wall sconces are available in all shapes, sizes and colors. Finding a wall sconce that is right for your home may take some time. Once you have found the light you love, you may have to design your entire room around it.

Things You'll Need

• "Old work" ceiling junction box
• "Old work" switch box
• Phillips or flat head screwdriver
• Electrical tester
• 14/2 NM cable
• Dual NM wire cutters/strippers
• Orange wire connectors
• Single pole switch
• Switch cover plate
• 15-amp single pole breaker

Instructions

1. Cut a hole for the wall sconce and the light switch. Trace around the template provided with the lighting "old work" junction box. Carefully cut around the trace lines using a keyhole saw to remove the wall board. Trace around the template provided with the single gang "old work" switch box. Cut the wall board out following the trace lines and using a keyhole saw.

2. Turn off the electrical power to the breaker panel by turning off the main breaker. Remove the panel cover to access the breakers and the wiring. Use an electrical tester to confirm that the power is off. Touch one prong of the tester to the back of any breaker and the other prong to any metal on the panel box. If the power is disconnected, your tester will not light up.

3. Pull a length of 14/2 NM cable from the electrical panel to the switch location. Run an additional length from the switch location to the wall sconce location, leaving approximately 6 to 8 inches of cable exposed at the switch and sconce locations.

4. Install the "old work" boxes for the switch and the sconce. Pull the NM cable into the knockouts located at the back of each box at each location. Slide the electrical boxes into the wall and attach them following the manufacturer's directions.

5. Strip the wires at the wall sconce location, the switch location and at the panel box. Use dual NM cable wire cutter/strippers to remove 6 inches of exterior sheath at each location, exposing the black, white and bare copper wires. Strip a 1/2 inch of insulation off of each black and white wire at all three locations.

6. Assemble and install the wall sconce according to the manufacturer's directions. Connect the black wire from the wall sconce to the black wire in the electrical box by twisting an orange wire connector onto the wires. Twist an orange wire connector onto the white wire from the electrical box to the white wire from the wall sconce. Attach the bare copper wire from the electrical box to the green ground screw located inside the electrical box in the wall. Push all wiring into the electrical box and mount the sconce to the wall.

7. Install the switch. Wrap one black wire around the top right-hand screw on the switch, and wrap the remaining black wire in the electrical box around the bottom right screw on the switch. Tighten the screws. Twist an orange wire connector to the two white wires inside the switch electrical box to connect them together, and connect the two bare copper wires together with an orange wire connector as well. Push all wires into the box and attach the switch to the top and the bottom of the box with the screws provided with the new switch. Cover the switch with a switch plate cover.

8. Install the 15-amp single pole breaker for the lighting circuit into the breaker panel. Snap the breaker into the breaker panel, slipping the back into the slot and snapping the front over the center buss bar. Push it firmly until it snaps into place. Slide the new black wire under the screw located at the back of the new breaker. Tighten the screw to hold the wire into place. Attach the white wire to the neutral bar. The neutral bar is located vertically along one side of the breaker panel and contains all other white wires. Slide the white wire underneath one of the screws in the neutral bar and tighten the screw to hold the wire into place. Connect the bare copper ground wire to the ground bar. The ground bar will be on the opposite side of the panel box and is similar to the neutral bar. All bare copper and green ground wires attach to this bar. Slip the bare copper wire underneath one of the screws on the bar and tighten it. Replace the electrical cover panel onto the breaker box.

9. Turn the main breaker panel back on by turning on the main breaker at the top of the electrical box.

Tips & Warnings

• Breakers are not universal and you must install a breaker made by the manufacturer of your panel.

• Make sure the electricity is off in the area you are working to avoid electrical shock.

References

• Lighting Direct: How to: Install a Wall Sconce
• Aubuchon Hardware: How to Install an Electric Switch
• Aubuchon Hardware: How to Install a Light Fixture
• Don Vandervort's Home Tips: Standard Light Switch Wiring

Resources

• Hammer Zone: Installaing a Circuit Breaker
• Corner Hardware: How to Fish Electrical Cables
• Hammer Zone: Installing an "Old Work" Ceiling J-Box
• Hammer Zone: Installing an "Old Work" Switch or Outlet Box
• Reader's Digest: How to Use Inexpensive Electrical Testers