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pattyg2 · Sep 1, 2009, 06:57 PM

I removed a wall and have to reposition a light switch on the part of the wall that is left. I have drilled a hole in the joist and sent part of the wiring down but the power to the switch is too short. I also want to add switch to control a recessed light from another switch off the same power. Can I install a junction box in the attic and go from there?

hkstroud · Sep 1, 2009, 07:06 PM

Yes, the junction box must accessible (not hidden in the wall) and have a cover on it. However if the cable is 2 wire and runs from the light fixture to the switch, it is a switch leg. Meaning it has no neutral. Not sure I understand what you mean "additional switch to control a recessed light from another switch off the same power" but you will not be able to tie into the switch leg to power additional fixture.

pattyg2 · Sep 1, 2009, 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by hkstroud

Yes, the junction box must accessible (not hidden in the wall) and have a cover on it. However if the cable is 2 wire and runs from the light fixture to the switch, it is a switch leg. Meaning it has no neutral. Not sure I understand what you mean "additional switch to control a recessed light from another switch off the same power" but you will not be able to tie into the switch leg to power additional fixture.

There is a wire that went to the original light switch for the power and off that the ceiling light is powered and to the switch. The main power coming in is now too short to move the swich on the wall. I was thinkinking of putting a juction box in the attic and then run the wiring to the switch iI moved. The wire to the ceiling is long enough for the switch but the power going to it isn't.
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The wire on the right is long enough from the fixture to the location of the new switch but the power that connected to it isn't.

Stratmando · Sep 1, 2009, 07:41 PM

If the wire is too short and can't make it to the switch location, maybe locate a smoke detector about 8" from ceiling to allow extending. You can run wiring through attic or from underneath as well.
You can add a junction box if you need, I try to wire so no junctions in attic if possible.
Sometimes a junction box can make job easier or even be necessary.

Stratmando · Sep 1, 2009, 07:45 PM

I would use a 2 gang box with an extension.
I see you have power in, power on to receptacle? then power to a switched load(the light).
Smoke detector could be in a 1900 box with an x ring(4X4), then a round ceiling ring.
Don't skimp on Box size for room for the wires.
It would be difficult to add a dimmer in the box shown.

hkstroud · Sep 1, 2009, 08:49 PM

Sorry Patty but want to confirm what you are telling me.

Is what you have now like the diagram below?

pattyg2 · Sep 2, 2009, 12:53 AM

Originally Posted by hkstroud

Sorry Patty but want to confirm what you are telling me.

Is what you have now like the diagram below?

Yes that's it! What I would like to do is put in a bigger box in the wall to hold 2 switches if possible. One switch for ceiling fan and another for 1 recessed light.

hkstroud · Sep 2, 2009, 04:52 AM

Will that power in cable reach the either the ceiling fan or where you want to put the recessed light?

Will the other power cable, the one that goes to something else, reach the ceiling fan or where you want to put the recess light?

Stratmando · Sep 2, 2009, 05:30 AM

That picture HK drew could be near ceiling for a smoke detector, bring a cable from that location to new location, then 2 cables up to your 2 loads.

pattyg2 · Sep 3, 2009, 12:40 AM

Originally Posted by hkstroud

Will that power in cable reach the either the ceiling fan or where you want to put the recessed light?

Will the other power cable, the one that goes to something else, reach the ceiling fan or where you want to put the recess light?

Thanks Harold!! I didn't even think of that. It will reach where I'll be putting the recessed light.

hkstroud · Sep 3, 2009, 05:31 AM

OK, if both power cables will reach either fixture put them there and run cable to the other. If one cable will reach one fixture and the other cable will the other, do that and run a cable between the fixtures. Then run the switch legs to the switch box.

pattyg2 · Sep 3, 2009, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by hkstroud

OK, if both power cables will reach either fixture put them there and run cable to the other. If one cable will reach one fixture and the other cable will the other, do that and run a cable between the fixtures. Then run the switch legs to the switch box.

In the original wiring the power went to the switch and then to the center ceiling fixture. Can I put a junction box in the attic with the main power coming in and then feed power to my recessed light and to what will be a ceiling fan where the center ceiling light was and then run wire to the switches from both of those? I did all this in a bathroom a few years ago but having the internet has gotten me confused with everyone's suggestions. Maybe I should just get out my electrical book!!
I just want to thank you Harold for helping me out once again!
Patty

hkstroud · Sep 3, 2009, 03:14 PM

If the power in cable will reach either fixture box you won't need the junction box. Wiring is basically the same.

You have two power cables, the one coming in and the one going to something else. You said power coming in will reach the new recessed light. Will power going on to something else reach new recess light. Will power going on to something reach fan box.

Tell me these things and I will draw you a wiring diagram.

pattyg2 · Sep 4, 2009, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by hkstroud

If the power in cable will reach either fixture box you won't need the junction box. Wiring is basically the same.

You have two power cables, the one coming in and the one going to something else. You said power coming in will reach the new recessed light. Will power going on to something else reach new recess light. Will power going on to something reach fan box.

Tell me these things and I will draw you a wiring diagram.

Here are some pics of what I have. All the white were wirenutted together and all black except for the one with blue tape on it. The black went to the switch and a pigtail from all the other black went to the switch. The wire connected to the box for the ceiling fan is now coming out the new switch location. I am assuming I'll be using the white wire from that as the other black for the switch and changing the connection in the box. I just never worked with power coming into the switch.
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hkstroud · Sep 4, 2009, 10:47 AM

Here is my suggestion.

pattyg2 · Sep 4, 2009, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by hkstroud

Here is my suggestion.

From your drawing I will be pigtailing off the white to the ceiling fixture.

Stratmando · Sep 4, 2009, 12:35 PM

Yes it pig tails to the whites, NOT the white switch loop.

pattyg2 · Sep 4, 2009, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by Stratmando

Yes it pig tails to the whites, NOT the white switch loop.

Got it Harold. I will paint the ends of the white wires black for both switches so as to not make a mistake. Also the 2 pole switch I bought says to break the fin off to switch 2 separate lights. It has 2 black screws on one side and 2 gold screws on the other side. I'm thinking this is the wrong switch for what I want. It says Do not use to replace a switch that had been controlling a light with only 2 wires present. You don't see that until you open the box up since the directions are on the inside.

pattyg2 · Sep 4, 2009, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by pattyg2

Got it Harold. I will paint the ends of the white wires black for both switches so as to not make a mistake. Also the 2 pole switch I bought says to break the fin off to switch 2 separate lights. It has 2 black screws on one side and 2 gold screws on the other side. I'm thinking this is the wrong switch for what I want. It says Do not use to replace a switch that had been controlling a light with only 2 wires present. You don't see that until you open the box up since the directions are on the inside.

Sorry Stratmondo... I thought it was Harold answering me!

hkstroud · Sep 4, 2009, 01:26 PM

You got it Patty. Yes, you will be using the white to bring power to the switch and black to take it back to the light. Does your fan have a light? You will be throwing away that old metal box and getting a extra deep plastic one, to make getting all the wires in the box easier won't you?

Because I don't personally like the 2-in-one switches I would get a 2 gang box and 2 separate switches. But that is just me.