How to Install a Wall Light Converting a Split Receptacle Into a Light Switch

Turn off power to the split receptacle from the main power supply. Test the receptacle with a circuit tester to make sure the wiring will be safe to work with. Use a flat-head screwdriver to remove the screws holding the cover plate to the receptacle. Back out the screws holding the receptacle to the electrical box, and pull it out.

Loosen the screw terminals on the receptacle, and remove the wiring. Since this electrical cable has a red wire that the light switch does not need, remove the electrical cable back to the main power source. The cable will run through either the attic or the basement. Once you know which way it runs, follow it to that location, and pull it free.

Run a fish tape from the removed receptacle's electrical box (which will now be the light switch's electrical box) to the power source. Wrap a new 12-gauge or 14-gauge electrical cable around the fish tape. This new cable must not have a red wire. Pull the cable into the electrical box. Cut off the outer rubber insulation and the inner paper insulation with a utility knife. Strip 1/2 inch off the end of the black, white and green wires with a wire strippers.

Run a stud finder along the wall in the location you wish to mount the wall light. Once you locate a stud to mount the electrical box to, hold the electrical box against the wall and trace around it. Cut out the outline with a drywall saw. You may need to make the hole slightly bigger than the electrical box, depending on the style of box you are using.

Hammer out one of the electrical box's knockout holes and insert a cable connector. Place the electrical box into the hole you cut, and hold it against the wall stud. Hammer 1 1/4-inch nails through the electrical box's mounting holes and into the wall stud.

Feed the fish tape through the cable connector and either up toward the attic or down toward the basement, depending on how the wiring runs through your house. Send the fish tape's end to the light switch's electrical box. Wrap a new electrical cable around the hook, and reel the cable into the wall light's electrical box. Cut away the inner and outer insulation, and strip 1/2 inch off each wire's end.

Return to the light switch's electrical box. Cut and strip the end of the cable you just ran. Cut a 6-inch-long piece of cable, and remove the outer and inner insulation. Separate the wires and strip 1/2 inch off both ends of each wire. Bend one of each wire's ends, and wrap them around the light switch's screw terminals. The green wire must wrap around the green screw; the black and white wires may wrap around either side terminal.

Hold the black wire attached to the switch together with the two black wires in the electrical box. Twist a wire nut over them. Repeat with the white wires, then the green wires. Push the wires and switch into the electrical box, and secure it in place with the provided screws. Put the switch cover plate over the switch and secure it in place with the provided screws.

Return to the wall light's electrical box. Locate the electrical wires coming off the wall light. If necessary, strip the wires' ends. Hold the light's black wire together with the black wire in the electrical box, and twist a wire nut over them. Repeat with the white wires, then the green wires. Hold the wall light over the electrical box. Secure it in place with the provided screws. Restore power from the main power source.