help again

pipecreek

I want to install a new switch. The switch would control a porch light that is getting power from an inside fan now and is feeding a dusk to dawn light further out. How would I wire the switch? Does this make sense?

hammerlane

If it is a new switch, wire it the same as the old

jrclen

Basically you would feed the switch and then take that power to the porch light you wish to turn on and off. Leave the dusk to dawn wired as it is now if you like.

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John

hammerlane

When you say "that is getting power from an inside fan now" do you mean the old switch is getting power from an inside fan now or the porch light is getting power from an inside fan now?

The diagram below shows power coming into the light location.

Ground wires not shown for ease of drawing.

Attached Thumbnails

 

pipecreek

The current porch light is getting power from the fan. The fan is connected to a switch inside the house. The porch light is feeding another light (dusk-to-dawn) about 15 feet further out on top of the house. What I would like is to have the porch light controlled by a new switch that I would install myself. My question is: Where and what wires will be used on the new switch? White on top etc....
Thanks for you time.

k_buz

Are both the dusk to dawn light and the porch light only on when the switch for the fan is on?

If so, you will need to run power to the new switch location then run a new wire up to the porch light. The blacks would go to the switch. The whites would be spliced together and the grounds should be spliced together and pigtailed to the switch's ground screw.

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hammerlane

The diagram in my previous post fits your situation exactly. The cable you run from the light fixture to the new switch is what is called a switch loop. See diagram or googla "switch loop"

On a single pole switch either conductor of the cable can go to either terminal of the switch.

pipecreek

Very new to this electric stuff. "how do I run power to the new switch location" with what I have already? What does "spliced together" mean?
Thanks K-Buz....

Gac66610

Basically it means to twist the wires together and wire nut them.

What you might want to do since you are this new is hire a licensed electrician to do this job, 'watch and learn'.