How to Install Home Entry Lights

Use a stud finder to locate the ceiling joists where you want to install the light fixture.

Hold the electrical box for the light against the ceiling and trace the outline onto the ceiling.

Locate a stud on the wall where you want to install the light switch for the lamp.

Hold an old-work electrical box on the wall next to the stud and trace the outline. Use an old-work box and not a new-work box, as it's designed for use in a wall that is already built.

Cut holes into the wall and ceiling with a drywall saw, following the lines you traced.

Remove one of the knockout holes on the side of the electrical box for the light fixture. The knockout holes are the circular depressions on the box.

Run an electrical cable between the hole in the wall and the hole in the ceiling.

Slide about 6 inches of cable through the knockout hole and the cable connector, which is the metal tab inside the box that secures the cable to prevent it from sliding around and possibly getting damaged. Tighten the screw on the cable connector.

Place the electrical box into the hole in the ceiling and screw it to the ceiling joist.

Remove about 3 inches of insulation from the electrical cable with wire strippers, followed by an inch of sheathing on the individual wires inside the cable.

Cut away any excess wiring from the light fixture, leaving enough so that it can reach the wiring coming from the ceiling. Remove any excess links from the chain to get the fixture to the correct height, if it uses chains.

Raise the fixture into position with the help of an assistant, and attach it to the electrical box. Follow the manufacturer's instructions when attaching it, as it can vary.

Wrap the green wire from the electrical cable in the ceiling around the ground screw on the light, then connect the end of the ground wire from the ceiling cable to the ground wire from the light by twisting them together with a plastic connector cap. Attach the two black wires with a plastic connector cap, followed by the two white wires. When doing electrical work, always match wires of the same color.

Insert the wiring into the ceiling, then slide the canopy over the hole and screw it to the ceiling. The canopy is a decorative plate that covers the hole in the ceiling.

Run a second electrical cable between your home's main electrical box and the hole in the wall for the light switch. Remove the insulation and sheathing from the wiring just as you did for the lamp wiring.

Punch out two knockout holes on the old-work electrical box, and feed the cables through. Screw the box to the wall stud.

Connect the wiring to the light switch using the screws on the side. Attach the white wires to the silver screws, the black wires to the brass screws and the green wires to the green screws. If the screws are the same color, follow the wiring diagram provided by the manufacturer. Wrap electrical tape around the sides of the light switch to cover the screws.

Place the light switch inside the electrical box and screw it into place with the mounting screws. Attach the plate cover over the light switch.

Hire an electrician to connect the wiring to your home's main electrical circuit. Even if you have the knowledge and skill to do this, most municipalities require a certified professional do it as it's extremely dangerous.