How to wire a switch from an existing box to a ceiling light?

Elton20

Why? Is there a special thing I have to do if its 20 or 15 amp?

TTW

You asked what wire size you needed.

If it is a 20 amp circuit you have to use 12 gauge.

If 15 amp, you can use less expensive 14 gauge.

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Elton20

Oh ok

Elton20

How do I know where the power originates? Switch or outlet?

TTW

The first thing to do is to open the switch box, gently pull out the switch, leaving all wires attached and see what is coming into the switch box.

It could be 1, 2, or 3 romex, each with a black wire, white wire, and bare ground unless your house is old, and you don't have a ground. How old is the house?

The best would be to do the above and post some pictures and we'll go from there.

__________________
#1 - If you don't know what you're doing - get a licensed electrician!
#2 - If you follow my advice and something bad happens see # 1
Electricity bites hard, and it could be the last thing you feel... Good Luck!
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Elton20

My house was built in '76. And I can't seem to get the switch plate off. It's like it's glued but I didn't glue it because I put new switch plates when I moved in

Elton20

There's a ground wire. It's unwired and the black white wires are inside the switch.

Elton20

these are some pics i took

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TTW

There's one part solved, from what I can see there is only 1 wire entering that box. This is a switch loop, and the power does not originate here.

Side note. That switch is 'Back Stabbed'. The wires are not wrapped around the screws. Back stabbed connections are notorious for becoming lose and developing a poor connection that will cause problems down the road. Often problems that are intermittent and very difficult and time consuming to pin down.

Always use the screws!

Having said that, if it was me I would move those wires to the screws where they really should be. Kill the breaker first! The black wire is hot even with the switch off.

Then go ahead and put it back together.

Next, check the receptacle the same way.

It's a step by step process...

__________________
#1 - If you don't know what you're doing - get a licensed electrician!
#2 - If you follow my advice and something bad happens see # 1
Electricity bites hard, and it could be the last thing you feel... Good Luck!
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sublime2

Not a good sign! If you don't know this,you should consider hiring an electrician.

Jim Port

A properly wired switch loop has the white as the constant
hot.

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Answers based on the National Electrical Code. Local amendments may apply. Check with your local building officials.

hammerlane

The white conductor of a switch loopshould be the ALWAYS HOT conductor. The black conductor should be the switched leg of the loop....meaning it is HOT when the switch is on.

Also the white conductor should be reidentified at its ends.

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TTW

Thanks Hammer and Jim, that sucker is "White Hot".

I'll remember now.

__________________
#1 - If you don't know what you're doing - get a licensed electrician!
#2 - If you follow my advice and something bad happens see # 1
Electricity bites hard, and it could be the last thing you feel... Good Luck!
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hammerlane

I think Jim said it best...A PROPERLY WIRED SWITH LOOP.....properly being the key word