How to Add a Light from an Outlet

In this video, Chris shows how to wire a new light with a wall switch powered by an existing outlet. This is useful to add a light fixture in your garage, shop, basement, or attic.

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[keithp]

My wife has asked for years to install a light in the basement storage room, used for her holiday decorations. We used battery operated motion lights that were a nuisance. I used YOUR tutorial to the tee, and the project came out perfect. Thank you very much sir!!

[smeldaroses]

You are by far the best YouTube teacher to instruct new students on how to do 'Electrical Wiring 101'. Your teaching props are the best too. Thanks so muchfor your time putting this video together.

[davidhemphill]

Just successfully followed this to tap into the west side of my living room and install a new light fixture above my front door! Saving this to my Homeowner playlist! Thank you so much!

[johnsnow]

Haven’t done electrical in a few years but needed to wire a little project. Crazy how fast it comes back with a little nudge from YouTube! Thanks

[MarkHolladay]

Thank you sparky as a very old drywaller/carpenter I am always a little nervous about getting in over my head, but you really did a great job explaining this and now my new closet and mud room have light. Well done:)

[danielschoeffler]

I've watched many videos on this topic but didn't fully understand it feel confident with doing the project until this. You're seriously the man. Appreciate you.

[janitzagarcia]

Graduating electrical trade school next week and I learned 3 new things from this videos . Keep posting videos super helpful and informing.😊

[tjkool]

Thanks for showing me how to do this. I had a room with only a light, and they wired the power directly to the light fixture box in the attic, then down to the switch. I could not put in an outlet off that switch. I now redid it and configured it according to this video. It all works great. Thanks again.

[isaacwolowik]

Incredible video. Very clear and simple. You don’t overexplain or rush through the process. Thank you so much.

[hsLeftist]

I’m a high school student who plans on working in the construction industry as an electrician (obviously) and my school has a program where we can learn trades in the industry from certified electricians (and other certified tradesmen; I won’t go into details or else this comment would become an essay). Today in class we started working on a project where we had to wire a receptacle and light switch and all of us were SO confused (there is only about 5-7 of us). We were asking the instructors some questions but we were still having trouble with it, and by the time he was (almost) done explaining it was time for us to leave. I had also just realized what I think I needed to do to complete the wiring. Today was a Friday, so I’ll have to wait til Monday til I can see if I was right or not, but I think this video just confirmed what I needed to do! So I was on the right path, just needed more confirmation that what I was doing was right, and that’s what this video gave me!

You’re a very good teacher, sir! You explain things very easily/clearly and effectively. I now plan on coming here whenever I need something electrical explained and don’t have my brother or instructor on hand (though I’m not sure my brother would be too much help anyway 😂).

So now I know what to do, and I can help the other guys (I’m the only girl in that group lol, but everything’s good) if they’re still confused, too! It’ll still take me a minute, but I’ll get it with enough tries and questions!


Basically, in conclusion, this helped! Thank you!

[rogerdelacruz]

My dad passed years ago and this would've been something I would've asked him for help on. Thank you for this video.

[takobear]

Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it. I’m 27 years old. Been in the countertop industry for 5 years. Which boosted my love of fixing stuff on my own. Currently I am learning framing and electrical work

[theangryrktkt]

This was a fantastic tutorial. I have watched five this morning to get me an answer, and yours is by far the cleanest and easiest to understand, and I love the visual aid board. The only clarification I would make is when wiring a switch it does matter which black is connected to which post. The only reason it matters is because of how you walk into the room And flip the switch. Most off positions are down in a toggle switch, and if the black is in the wrong position, the toggle switch may be up in that position. Definitely not a big deal since you can rotate the device to achieve that aesthetic goal rather than rewire the device. I also wrap my entire device with electrical tape to conceal or cover the screw heads. But that’s just me.

[qprez]

I AM SO GLAD YOU EXPLAINED EVERYTHING! My grandmother wired her own house (5k sq ft.) about 8-9 years ago. She was teaching me how to do it on my new home I am building (4500 sq ft.) but I needed it explained to me more in depth. I am about to install new lights in my home I live in now and this video was perfect for me! Thank you so much!

[diegocalderon]

From a dad to another dad, thank you! Very well explained, good resource.

[ellisveasley]

I thank you for the tutorial I have called an electrician several times and have not gotten a response. I thought the process of connecting a light switch was a simple fix but your video confirmed it for me. I am wanting to connect wiring from my shed to my gazebo light switch and fans.

[jeffreyibarra]

Thank you, today I wired a light in my closet using your video. Best video so far I watched on this and gave me the confidence to do it.

[ahmedal]

Did I find this video useful? You damn right I did! Hands down the best instructor I’ve seen.

[EricF]

I love how basic and straight forward you made this… great video!

[Kyle-fhfe]

You just saved me $350! Thank you so much my dude!