Have you ever added a light switch to a circuit? The previous owner of our property didn’t put any switches in the barn but instead used the circuit breaker to turn stuff on and off. So, to turn on fans or any lights, we’ve got flip the breaker. It’s a bit bizarre. Anyway we got a couple quotes from electricians to install a bank of switches but they were super expensive, I thought. So do you have any good resources or you tube channels for that kind of thing? I’ve dabbled in electrical stuff before, replacing outlets, installing new light fixtures, etc., but this seems a little more complicated. Is it risky? Should I just pay the professional?
Adding switches to existing light circuits isn't that hard. It isnt that complicated. Nor is it dangerous. If you have done the things you say and feel OK, then adding switches should be a doable project.
In a barn it should be pretty easy because all the wiring should be in the open instead of inside walls. Running wire is usually the biggest pain. You need wire from the new switch to the light that is the first one powered from the breaker, if you want all the lights controlled by the same switch. If you want multiple switches each controlling a single light, you need a wire from each light fixture to the new switch. Don't forget to properly fasten the wire with staples or other proper fasteners. Make sure you leave enough wire hanging out of the box to legally make connections.
The following assumes you simply want convenient switch(es) to use instead of going to the breaker box.
Use the same gauge wire as the existing (probably 14 or 12) two wire with ground. Disconnect the black (hot) wire that comes from the breaker from the light fixture. Connect the black wire in the new cable coming from the new switch to the light fixture. Connect the black wire from the breaker box to the white wire in the new cable. Put black electrical tape over some of the white wire insulation in the fixture box to identify it has "hot." Use a wire nut or one of the newer splice connectors to make this connection. Connect the ground (bare) wire from the new cable to the rest of the grounds.
In the switch box, connect the ground to the ground terminal on the switch, and the black to one terminal. Wrap at least some of the white insulation with black electrical tape to signify "hot," then connect it to the other switch terminal.
You should have everything connected.
Wikihow has good stuff. Family handyman and gelighting are two more. There are others. Some have better pictures.
If you want to break up multiple lights that are all on the same breaker, that can be done. Also, this wiring can be done with three way switches so the light can be controlled from two locations. Generly the same process. Just more wires and more connections.
