How to Convert a Pull Chain to a Switch

Use the stud finder to locate the ceiling joist that holds the current fixture. Mark the edge closest to the fixture on the ceiling at a few places until you reach the wall. Find the nearest wall stud and mark the edge that's on the same side as the joist edge you just marked. Mark that stud edge at the height for your switch, about 4 feet from the floor.

Trace the junction box on the wall, so that a side edge of the box lines up with the side of the stud you have marked. Using a drywall saw, cut a hole in the wall just a bit larger than your traced line.

Turn the power to the light off at the circuit panel, or breaker box

Remove the light fixture from the ceiling and disconnect its wires.

Run a fish tape through the hole in the ceiling, along the side of the joist that you marked. Keep pushing when it hits the wall, and the tape will go down the side of the wall. Stop when you see the end of the tape through the hole in the wall.

Clip one end of one of the lengths of electrical wiring to the end of the fish tape. Go back to the hole in the ceiling and retract the fish tape, pulling the wire up to the opening.

Using the wire nuts, attach the black line from the existing electrical wire to the black line in the wire you just pulled. Do the same for the white line and the bare copper line.

Back at the wall, pull the wire that you just ran through the bottom hole in the junction box.

Run the other length of wire from the ceiling hole to the wall hole, using the fish tape. Pull this wire through the top hole in the junction box.

Attach the black line from the bottom wire in the junction box to the lower screw on the right side of the switch. Attach the black line from the top wire in the junction box to the top screw on the switch. Connect the white line from both wires together with a wire nut. Attach the copper lines from both wires with a wire nut.

Mount the junction box on the stud with wood screws. Then mount the switch onto the junction box with supplied screws. Finally, screw the cover plate into place.

Return to the hole in the ceiling. Attach the black and white lines from the second piece of wire to the two screw attachments on the light fixture. Mount the light fixture to the ceiling junction box.

Turn the power to the circuit back on at the breaker.