Outrageous Adding A Switched Light To Existing Circuit
Connecting another light to an existing light and switch is an easy electrical wiring job.
Adding a switched light to existing circuit. 10 amps load 15 amp circuit rating a 66 load. Make sure the cable you use is the same gauge as the one powering the existing fixture. A pigtail is also added to the splice to allow for reconnecting the existing light back into the circuit.
Wrap the remaining pigtail around the remaining screw on the new switch and tighten both screws. Measure the existing load of the circuit using a clamp on amperage meter. Turn on all the light fixtures that are on this circuit.
You can wire the new wall light fixture into the existing light and have a single switch control both lights. If you want to add more lights after the second new one in this diagram they can be spliced into. Wrap the black wire from your new light fixture around a screw on the right side of the new switch.
Choose a place for the fixture install an electrical box and run a cable between the new fixture and the existing one. At the existing light the hot and neutral wires are removed from the fixture terminals and spliced to the new cable wires running to the first new light. Since the existing light is already connected to the switch and you are not adding a light switch most of the wiring you need will be present in the wall or ceiling.
Back at the switch box test once again to make sure. With the light switch turned off hold the noncontact voltage detector against each of the wires connected to the switch. Examples include adding lighting underneath kitchen wall cabinets where the existing switch will be at the exact height of the new lighting or installing an outside light by routing the cable directly through the back of an existing switch box to the outside.
There are various circumstances where it would be convenient to add another light to a circuit and connect that light directly to an existing light switch. Wrap one black pigtail around the other screw and tighten both screws. Now turn off the power to the switch at the main electrical panel.