Hi all! New here, so thanks in advance for your help.
I have a turn of the century 2-story house, plaster and lath, and old fabric BX wiring (ungrounded) throughout. I need to add a light at the base of my ground-floor stairs, as the only other light is up on the second floor (usually there is a light on the middle landing which would light both runs of stairs). The light is controlled by a switch upstairs as well as a switch at the base of the stairs.
The plan was to place a wall sconce just above the ground floor wall switch so that I have easy access to the wires feeding that switch. The ONLY thing that I can do is tie into the switch at the base of the stairs. There is no other way for me to run wiring from the upstairs light fixture. It is too far away from where I need the new light, and it would be next to impossible to run new wire through the ceilings, walls, and down to the ground floor.
I have read posts that this IS possible, ISN'T possible, not recommended, etc., etc. Pretty much all possible answers. Can somebody provide some kind of answer as to whether this solution is possible? If so, what wires need to be tapped into at the switch end to accomplish this?
Finally, if this is NOT possible, does anyone have any other suggestions (besides calling an electrician, contractor, etc.... times are pretty tough $$$)? There is no other source of power near this location other than this one switch.
Thank you all for your help!
-Dave
I have a turn of the century 2-story house, plaster and lath, and old fabric BX wiring (ungrounded) throughout. I need to add a light at the base of my ground-floor stairs, as the only other light is up on the second floor (usually there is a light on the middle landing which would light both runs of stairs). The light is controlled by a switch upstairs as well as a switch at the base of the stairs.
The plan was to place a wall sconce just above the ground floor wall switch so that I have easy access to the wires feeding that switch. The ONLY thing that I can do is tie into the switch at the base of the stairs. There is no other way for me to run wiring from the upstairs light fixture. It is too far away from where I need the new light, and it would be next to impossible to run new wire through the ceilings, walls, and down to the ground floor.
I have read posts that this IS possible, ISN'T possible, not recommended, etc., etc. Pretty much all possible answers. Can somebody provide some kind of answer as to whether this solution is possible? If so, what wires need to be tapped into at the switch end to accomplish this?
Finally, if this is NOT possible, does anyone have any other suggestions (besides calling an electrician, contractor, etc.... times are pretty tough $$$)? There is no other source of power near this location other than this one switch.
Thank you all for your help!
-Dave