In bathrooms, they step in as task lighting when paired on either side of the mirror.
What Is a Wall Sconce?
Unless you arereplacing an existing sconce light, your home will not have this.
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What you could count on, though, is another location where you could draw power: electric outlets.
Every outlet provides a convenient starting point for wire leading upward to a sconce light.
There is no need to make unnecessary holes in the drywall or to drill through studs.
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Older homes and newer ones with great than 9 foot tall ceilings will have fire-blocking in the walls.
These are 2x4 boards that run across the wall cavity and normally are approximately 48 inches from the floor.
They can prevent easy fishing of walls.
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Wall sconce heights are measured from the floor and are only suggestions.
Safety Considerations
Always turn off power to the working area from the electric service panel.
Mark with painter’s tape.
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Studs are usually 14-1/2 inches apart from side to side (or 16 inches on-center).
They should be located between the two studs.
Electrical code does not specifylight switch heights, but generally switches are located about 48 inches high.
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If so, cut this out with scissors and then draw a circle at the sconce light location.
A 4-inch box will require a 4-inch hole.
Cut the hole by hand with a drywall jab saw or with a hole saw.
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Remove the drywall cutout.
Otherwise, turn the box backward and use its edges as a template.
Cut the hole and remove the cutout.
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Double-check that no power is present with the outlet by using the non-contact voltage tester.
Unscrew the outlet and pull it free from the box but leave it attached to its wires.
Turn the screws counter-clockwise until the box loosens.
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Cut the wire long enough so that about 8 to 10 inches extend from each hole.
Insulated exterior walls may need the extra force that fish tape provides.
Uninsulated interior walls usually will not need fish tape.
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Insert the box into the hole.
Turn the box’s screws clockwise to secure the box to the wall.
Strip the ends of the wires.
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Be sure to thread the three wires through the mounting hardware.
Attach the Sconce to the Wire and Box
Attach the sconce’s wires to the 14/2 wires.
Cap off each connection with the wire nuts included with the light kit.
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Screw the sconce onto the mounting hardware with the included fasteners.
Place the box in the hole.
With the manual screwdriver, turn the screws clockwise until the box is securely attached to the drywall.
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Attach the Light Switch to the Wires
Screw the light switch onto the box.
Add the face plate.
On the 14/2 wire, cut off the ripped cable sheathing and paper.
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Strip the ends of the wires.
Wiring differs whether the outlet ends a run of other outletsoris one of the other group of outlets.
Remove the existing bare copper wire from the outlet.
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For safety, keep the wires within color families.
Twist the three wires and cap them off with a wire nut.
Attach the end of that third black wire to the gold terminal of the outlet.
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Repeat for the white wire and bare copper wire.
end the Outlet
Push the wires back into the box.
Attach the outlet to the box.
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Turn on Sconce Light
Turn the circuit back on at the service panel.
Test the sconce light by turning it on and off at the light switch.
Tips and Troubleshooting Sconce Light Installation
Article 210.52(A)(1).
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The Spruce / Kevin Norris
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
