Lighting and wall switches/wiring

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Two questions guys! First off:

In one bedroom there is a wall switch connected to an outlet on the same wall, which is next to the door. There's a fan with a light in the center of the ceiling that i would like to operate off of this wall switch. How would i go about disconnecting it from the outlet and connecting it to the ceiling fan without tearing the wall apart? I believe i can access through the attic to run the wiring. Secondly:

In another room i also have a wall switch, which is to the left of the door, and on the wall to the right of the door is an outlet attached to this switch. I'd like to go the same, except i'd like to install a light in the ceiling, which again, can be put in via attic. Is there a way to wire a light off of an existing outlet and have it be safe? How would i go about wiring this light to the light switch and disconnecting from the outlet?

I'm comfortable with electrical but lack the knowledge of what can be attached where. All i've really done is replace outlets, switches, install lights and fans and troubleshoot issues. Running wiring and how to do so is something i'd like to learn. Thanks!

 

[pattenp]

You'll never get a direct answer to your questions because there are to many unknown variables as to how the wiring is run from those switches and how the ceiling light/fan is powered and how the outlet circuits are run. All I can say is what you're asking can be done. I just can't tell you exactly what it will require.




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[CJ7VFR]

Why not put in a second switch to turn the fan/lights on and off and leave the switch for the outlets alone? This way you will have both things working on their own switches. If you don't want to cut the wall and add in a larger box for a double switch setup, you can always buy a double switch where one is on top of the other and switches throw left to right instead of up and down. Like this one:

And as pattenp said, unless you figure out just what type of wiring setup you have, it will be tough to get any real help because there are multiple ways to wire switches, and you don't know what you have yet.

Shut the power off to the circuit that currently feeds the switches/outlets and pull the covers off the switches and outlets and pull them out to see just what you are dealing with.

This will help determine your course of action. Having access to the attic is great, and can make doing what you want a lot easier!

Jim

 

[sands35]

Double switches are great for some jobs, but you still need to run a 12-3 wire to use the 2nd switch. They also remove the possibility of using a dimmer or fan speed control.

I can tell you that trying to get a wire into a existing new work junction box is a major pain. If the house was built with plastic boxes, they can be cut out without damaging the drywall if you have a reciprocating or oscillating saw. If the boxes are metal, you are often better off putting in an old work box right next to the currently installed one.

Is there an attic above the bedrooms in question? Your post seams to imply that.

Two basic ways (I've done both depending on the situation and my goals):

#1

If you can get into the attic, you should be able to find the top plate on the wall and even see where the wires come out. Easy job to drill a new hole and drop a wire down to a new "old work" box.

The hole you cut in the drywall for the old work box and the hole that gets drilled into the top plate from the attic is all you need - provided there is already power in that stud bay.

Either pull power from the hot side of the adjacent switch or the outlet in the same stud cavity.

#2

The alternative is to find the wire that feeds the outlet up in the attic. Put in a new junction box to intercept that wire. The tricky part is that the junction box needs to not be buried in insulation. So you need to get creative with where that happens. Tap into that wire that feeds the outlet. Run a wire to the ceiling fan, then use an end of run switch in the wall. (i.e., both sides of the NM wire will be "hot" going to the switch). That will allow you to drop one wire down the wall cavity to a new hole and an old work box.

At the end of the job, either tag the wire or write on the inside of the cover the breaker number for that circuit. My current house has had at least 2 major electrical jobs done on it before I owned it and figuring out what breaker does what is 1/2 the battle.

 

[CJ7VFR]

At the end of the job, either tag the wire or write on the inside of the cover the breaker number for that circuit. My current house has had at least 2 major electrical jobs done on it before I owned it and figuring out what breaker does what is 1/2 the battle.

This is great advice, and what I do whenever I get the chance.

I like to write the breaker number on the wire insulation and the inside of the cover plate.

Also, if I can, I like to write the breaker number on any junction boxes I put up so that I know what I am dealing with.

Jim