Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Recessed Light Job

I am in the beggining stages of planning a remodel of my Master Bedroom. I want to add 4 recessed lights due to the lack of light. I currently have a fan with a light in the middle of the room and I have access to the attic above. From what I have read online, I can tap into the power from the fan and just chain the new lights. Fan to 1st light, 1st light to 2nd and so on. Questions:

1. The current wall switch has a dimmer, I would like to remove the single dimmer and install one that would give me the option to control the recessed lights seperate from the fan or possibly to seperate switches. How do I wire the switches? There is a set of 3 cables (BLK/WH/GRD) at the switch box. How do I determine which set of wires is the feed from the fuses box?

2. Since I have access to the attic, should I go with new construction recessed lights, or the remodel type? I have to use IC since I have insulation.

Thank you for any assistance.

1. If you want to control the new lights separate from the existing light or fan or whatever it is, then you either have to wire from the light switch or replace the cable from the existing switch to the fan.

It is usually not not necessary to figure out which specific cable is the power feed. You can look at the setup and know which two cables are on the feed side. But if you want to know for certain for some reason then measure with a meter or two wire tester.

2. Whichever you want.

Thank you. I am guessing that I will take the incoming power to the current switch box and split it for the 2nd switch to control the new lights?

You need to replace the existing single gang box with a double gang box and install two separate switches, or you need to remove the existing switch and install a duplex switch.

However, I suspect that the option to install a duplex switch won't work because the box will become too crowded once you add a new cable for the new light. This means that a larger box is the only proper choice.


Power presently comes into the box on one cable. Power leaves the box on a second cable. These two cables are on the same side (electrically) of the switch. Their black wires will be connected to one switch terminal.

Switched power leaves the box on a third cable. This is the cable where the black wire is connected by itself to the other switch terminal.

You need to maintain this switch wiring.

You will be adding a new switch. One switch terminal gets connected with the existing power feed. The other switch terminal gets the hot feed for the new cable. The new cable is routed to the first of your new lights.

All the white wires should presently be connected with a wire nut. You need to add the new cable's white wire to this existing setup.

All the ground wires should presently be connected with a wire nut. It should also pigtail to the existing switch and to the box, if the box is metal. You need to add the new cable's ground wire to this existing setup and be sure to ground the new switch with a pigtail.

If your wiring for some reason is not what I have described then you will have to tell us explicitly what it is, including the wiring at the existing fan/light so we can comment further.

Thank you, that is how I have it drafted up. I will let you know how it all works out when I finish the project.