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Safety Cue
Task-specific safety guidance for ordinary work hazards.
Project 11
Install a Single-Pole Switch and Light Fixture
Wire and test one single-pole switch controlling one listed light fixture on an approved de-energized branch circuit, completing the switch loop, fixture connections, grounding path, and mounting so the finished assembly turns the light on and off reliably from a single location.
Field Cue System
These cues appear at the point of work. They identify safety, code, manufacturer, and measurement issues before they become shock, arc flash, or a switch and fixture assembly that fails inspection.
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Critical Safety Cue
Serious injury, shock, electrocution, or arc flash is possible.
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Field Safety Cue
Practical work-area safety: lighting, footing, access, and housekeeping.
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Code Alert
Local requirements vary. Verify permit, inspection, and jurisdictional rules.
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Manufacturer Cue
Follow product-specific instructions for switches, fixtures, and support hardware.
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Measurement Cue
Reference-point, verification, and test-sequence guidance.
Job Overview
This project qualifies you to wire and test one single-pole switch controlling one listed light fixture on a de-energized, previously verified branch circuit. The finished work product is one operating switch-and-fixture assembly: a correctly identified switch loop, a fixture connected and supported according to its listing, a continuous equipment-grounding path, and a documented functional test confirming the light turns on and off reliably from the single switch location.
You will verify the circuit de-energized, identify the incoming supply, switched leg, grounded conductor, and equipment-grounding conductors at both the switch box and the fixture box, splice the grounded conductor continuously to the fixture without landing it on the switch, connect the switch and fixture terminations, mount the switch and fixture, restore power under the approved sequence, and cycle the switch to confirm correct, flicker-free operation.
This project builds directly on the box installation of Chapters 3 and 4, the cable routing of Chapter 6, the splicing and pigtailing of Chapter 7, and the grounding and bonding work of Chapter 8. It prepares you for the three-way switching circuit in Chapter 12, which extends this same switch-loop and fixture-wiring discipline to two switch locations.
Skills You Will Demonstrate
- EL-061 — Wire a switch loop, correctly identifying the incoming supply and switched-leg conductors at the switch box.
- EL-062 — Connect fixture conductors, splicing the grounded conductor continuously and landing the switched leg on the fixture's ungrounded lead.
- EL-063 — Mount the light fixture using a box and support listed for the fixture's weight and type.
- EL-064 — Install the switch device, terminating conductors using listed terminal methods and mounting the switch square to the box.
- EL-065 — Test switching operation, confirming correct switching, fixture operation, and absence of flicker after restoration of power.
- EL-066 — Inspect device and fixture boxes for correct grounding, box fill, splice quality, and support before and after energization.
Where This Skill Fits
Every switch-controlled lighting circuit in a home depends on the same switch-loop discipline taught here: identify the supply and switched leg correctly, keep the grounded conductor off the ordinary single-pole switch, and maintain a continuous equipment-grounding path through both boxes. The mistake most often responsible for a switch that appears to work but fails inspection or causes an intermittent fault is confusing the switched-leg conductor with the incoming supply, or landing a neutral on a switch terminal by assumption rather than by verified identification.
The de-energized termination and controlled-restoration sequence used here is the same sequence used for every device chapter in this book, and the switch-loop identification skill carries forward directly into the two-location switching taught in Chapter 12.
Scope and Intended Use
This project covers:
- identifying the incoming supply, switched leg, grounded conductor, and equipment-grounding conductors at the switch box and the fixture box
- splicing the grounded conductor continuously to the fixture without landing it on an ordinary single-pole switch
- connecting the switch and fixture terminations using listed connectors and terminal methods
- bonding metal boxes and connecting all equipment-grounding conductors and fixture grounding parts
- mounting the switch and a listed, adequately supported light fixture
- restoring power under the approved sequence and testing switching and fixture operation
This project does not authorize the learner to:
- work on the switch loop or fixture conductors before the circuit has been verified de-energized using the live-dead-live procedure from Chapter 1
- install a fixture heavier than the box and support are listed to carry, or substitute a standard lighting box where a fan-rated box is required
- energize the circuit before the required inspection stage for this chapter's work has been completed
- continue past any stop-work condition identified in the Failure Points section without correcting or escalating it
Any switch, fixture, box, or conductor condition that fails verification in this chapter must be corrected, repaired, or escalated to a qualified professional before work continues.
Reference Conventions
Establish these references before any splicing or termination begins, and do not change the defined conductor identification mid-project.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Incoming supply | The ungrounded conductor bringing power into the switch box from the source, connected to one switch terminal |
| Switched leg | The ungrounded conductor carrying power from the switch to the fixture only when the switch is closed, connected to the other switch terminal and to the fixture's ungrounded lead |
| Grounded conductor | The conductor spliced continuously from source to fixture neutral, never landed on an ordinary single-pole switch terminal |
| Equipment-grounding conductor | The conductor and bonding path connecting the metal boxes, switch yoke, and fixture grounding parts to the branch circuit's grounding system |
| Switch loop | The complete two-conductor-plus-grounding wiring path between the switch box and the fixture box that allows the switch to control the fixture |
| Stop-work condition | Any observed hazard, test failure, or unidentified condition that must halt the project until corrected or escalated, defined in this chapter's failure-point section |
Switch and Fixture Wiring Record
Before splicing or terminating any conductor, record the identified conductors directly on the Switch and Fixture Wiring Worksheet:
Switch box location: ______ Fixture box location: ______ Circuit / breaker identifier: ______
Incoming supply conductor identified: ______ (Yes/No) Switched-leg conductor identified: ______ (Yes/No) Fixture weight and box listing confirmed: ______ (Yes/No)
Prerequisites
- Completed Chapter 1 electrically safe work condition, with the branch circuit isolated, locked out, and verified de-energized before this project begins
- Switch box and fixture box already installed, supported, and passed inspection under Chapters 3 or 4, with cable already routed under Chapter 6
- Conductors already stripped, spliced, and pigtailed as needed under Chapter 7, and metal boxes already bonded and grounded under Chapter 8
- Approved wiring diagram identifying the incoming supply, switched leg, grounded conductor, and equipment-grounding conductor for this specific switch loop
- A listed single-pole switch and a listed light fixture matched to the fixture box's support rating and lamp requirements
Common Field Fundamentals
Every switch-and-fixture project in this book depends on correctly separating two jobs performed by the ungrounded conductors: bringing power to the switch, and carrying power onward to the fixture only when the switch is closed. The grounded conductor and equipment-grounding conductor pass through both boxes without being interrupted by the switch itself.
De-energizationCircuit verified de-energized by live-dead-live test before any cover is removed
Conductor IDIncoming supply, switched leg, grounded, and equipment-grounding conductors identified at both boxes
Grounding continuityContinuous neutral splice to the fixture and a bonded equipment-grounding path through both boxes
Switch terminationIncoming supply and switched leg landed on separate switch terminals, never the grounded conductor
Fixture terminationSwitched conductor to the fixture ungrounded lead, grounded conductor to the fixture neutral lead
Support verificationFixture box and support confirmed listed for the fixture's weight and type before mounting
Restoration and testPower restored only after inspection, then the switch is cycled to confirm correct, flicker-free operation
DocumentationConductor identification, connections, and test results recorded on the worksheet
Conductor Identification and Grounding Continuity
Before splicing or terminating any conductor, identify the incoming supply, switched leg, grounded conductor, and equipment-grounding conductors at both the switch box and the fixture box, using the approved wiring diagram and, where permitted, reidentification methods required by the wiring method. Splice the grounded conductor continuously from source to fixture neutral. Do not place the grounded conductor on an ordinary single-pole switch terminal at any point in this project.
EL-061 – EL-066
Switch Loop / Fixture Termination / Grounding / Mounting / Functional Test Qualification
Install a Single-Pole Switch and Light Fixture
A. Finished-Project Specification
Quantity: one single-pole switch correctly wired to one light fixture, with continuous grounded-conductor splicing, a bonded equipment-grounding path through both boxes, the fixture mounted to a listed and adequately rated support, and a completed functional test confirming correct switching and fixture operation, documented on one completed Switch and Fixture Wiring Worksheet.
B. Switch and Fixture Wiring Schedule
| Item | Target Condition | Verification Method |
|---|---|---|
| De-energization | Circuit verified de-energized by live-dead-live test before any cover is removed | Direct test and worksheet record |
| Conductor identification | Incoming supply, switched leg, grounded, and equipment-grounding conductors identified at both boxes | Comparison to approved wiring diagram |
| Grounding continuity | Grounded conductor spliced continuously to fixture neutral; equipment-grounding path bonded through both boxes | Visual inspection and de-energized continuity check |
| Switch termination | Incoming supply and switched leg landed on separate switch terminals using listed methods | Visual inspection |
| Fixture termination | Switched conductor to ungrounded fixture lead, grounded conductor to fixture neutral lead | Visual inspection |
| Support verification | Fixture box and support listed for the fixture's weight and type | Manufacturer listing check |
| Functional test | Switch cycles the fixture on and off correctly with no flicker after restoration | Direct observation after energization |
C. Material Takeoff
- Switch: one listed single-pole switch rated for the circuit voltage and current, with a grounding terminal.
- Fixture: one listed light fixture, mounting bracket, and lamp matched to the fixture box's listed support rating.
- Wiring materials: listed wire connectors, grounding pigtails, and grounding screws sufficient for the switch box and fixture box.
- Finish materials: one cover plate for the switch box and the fixture's own canopy or diffuser.
- Documentation: one Switch and Fixture Wiring Worksheet, plus photographs of conductor identification and completed terminations before covers are installed.
D. Acceptance Standards
| Check | Standard |
|---|---|
| Conductor identification | Incoming supply, switched leg, grounded, and equipment-grounding conductors correctly identified and confirmed against the approved diagram before termination |
| Grounding path | Continuous grounded-conductor splice to the fixture neutral and a bonded, continuity-verified equipment-grounding path through both boxes |
| Termination quality | No exposed copper beyond the connector or terminal, no loose strands, no insulation trapped under a terminal |
| Box fill and folding | Box fill verified adequate after all connectors, pigtails, and devices are accounted for, with conductors folded into the box without stress |
| Mounting | Switch mounted square to the box; fixture mounted to a support listed for its weight and type, without trapping conductors |
| Functional test | Switch operates the fixture correctly from every cycle tested, with no flicker, abnormal heat, or intermittent operation |
| Documentation | Switch and Fixture Wiring Worksheet complete with conductor identification, connections, and test results |
E. Plan Review and De-Energization
- Review the approved wiring diagram, cable types, conductor functions, fixture rating, box support, switch rating, grounding, and circuit protection. Confirm the diagram identifies every conductor by function before proceeding.
- Verify the circuit is de-energized using the approved live-dead-live procedure. Do not proceed until the tester has been verified, the target conductors tested, and the tester reverified per Chapter 1.
F. Box and Conductor Inspection
- Inspect the switch box, fixture box, cable routes, conductors, grounding path, and box fill. Confirm both boxes remain within their listed volume once devices, pigtails, and connectors are accounted for.
- Identify the incoming supply, switched leg, grounded conductor, and equipment-grounding conductors. Confirm identification against the approved wiring diagram at both boxes.
- Reidentify conductors where permitted and required by the approved wiring method. Mark or label reidentified conductors so their function remains clear through the remainder of the project.
G. Grounding Preparation and Neutral Continuity
- Prepare grounding pigtails and bond metal boxes. Confirm each metal box has a listed grounding screw, clip, or bonding device installed per Chapter 8.
- Splice grounded conductors continuously to the fixture neutral without placing the neutral on the ordinary single-pole switch. Confirm the splice using a listed connector before proceeding to switch termination.
H. Switch Termination
- Connect the incoming ungrounded conductor to one switch terminal. Confirm this is the identified supply conductor, not the switched leg.
- Connect the switched-leg conductor to the other switch terminal. Confirm this conductor runs to the fixture box and not to another load.
- Connect the switch grounding terminal. Use the device-grounding pigtail prepared for the switch box.
I. Fixture Termination
- At the fixture box, connect the switched conductor to the fixture ungrounded lead. Confirm the switched-leg identification matches the conductor landed at the switch.
- Connect the grounded conductor to the fixture neutral lead. Confirm this connection completes the continuous neutral splice established in Section G.
- Connect all equipment-grounding conductors and fixture grounding parts. Confirm the fixture's grounding screw or lead is bonded to the box grounding system.
- Use listed connectors and terminal methods for the conductor types. Do not exceed a connector's listed conductor range or reuse a single-use connector.
J. Pre-Enclosure Inspection
- Inspect all splices and terminations before folding conductors into boxes. Confirm no exposed copper, loose strands, or insulation trapped under a terminal at either box.
K. Switch and Fixture Mounting
- Mount the switch square to the box and install the cover plate. Confirm the cover plate sits flush with no gap exposing energized parts.
- Verify that the fixture box and support are listed for the fixture weight and type. Confirm this before installing the mounting bracket.
- Install the fixture mounting bracket using the listed hardware. Do not substitute unlisted screws or brackets.
- Mount the fixture without trapping conductors or insulation. Fold conductors so the fixture seats fully against the bracket or ceiling surface.
- Install only the approved lamp type and rating. Confirm the lamp does not exceed the fixture's rated wattage.
L. Inspection, Restoration, and Functional Testing
- Complete the required inspection before energization. Confirm every item on the Switch and Fixture Wiring Schedule meets its target condition.
- Restore power and operate the switch through repeated cycles. Use the approved restoration sequence and cycle the switch on and off at least three times.
- Verify correct switching, fixture operation, absence of flicker, and secure mounting. Confirm the switch consistently controls the fixture with no delay, flicker, or unexpected behavior.
- De-energize immediately for abnormal heat, arcing, breaker operation, or intermittent function. Treat any of these as a stop-work condition requiring correction before retesting.
- Document the circuit diagram and test results. Complete every field on the Switch and Fixture Wiring Worksheet.
Common Readiness Inspection
Inspect every completed switch-and-fixture assembly using the same checks regardless of the room or fixture type involved.
- Conductor-identification check: confirm the incoming supply and switched-leg conductors match the approved wiring diagram at both boxes.
- Grounding check: confirm the grounded conductor is spliced continuously to the fixture neutral and never landed on the switch.
- Bonding check: confirm metal boxes, the switch yoke, and fixture grounding parts are bonded to a continuous equipment-grounding path.
- Termination check: confirm no exposed copper, loose strands, or insulation trapped under any terminal.
- Support check: confirm the fixture box and support are listed for the installed fixture's weight and type.
- Functional check: confirm the switch reliably turns the fixture on and off with no flicker or abnormal heat.
- Documentation check: confirm the Switch and Fixture Wiring Worksheet is fully completed and signed.
Complete the Switch and Fixture Wiring Worksheet in the Inspection Checklist section below before beginning Project 12.
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Failure Points and Troubleshooting
Cleanup
This project ends with the switch and fixture assembly tested, documented, and left in normal service, not disturbed further until the next assigned project begins.
- Confirm the cover plate and fixture canopy remain properly seated and undamaged
- Confirm no tools, stripped-wire scraps, or connector packaging remain in either box or on the floor below
- Store the voltage tester, strippers, and insulated tools in a protected, undamaged condition
- Confirm the fixture remains switched off if the space will not be occupied before the next project begins
- Store the Switch and Fixture Wiring Worksheet with the panel-directory records for reference by later projects
Field Terms
- Switch Loop
- The complete two-conductor-plus-grounding wiring path between the switch box and the fixture box that allows the switch to control the fixture.
- Incoming Supply
- The ungrounded conductor bringing power into the switch box from the source, connected to one switch terminal.
- Switched Leg
- The ungrounded conductor carrying power from the switch to the fixture only when the switch is closed.
- Grounded Conductor
- The conductor spliced continuously from source to fixture neutral, never landed on an ordinary single-pole switch terminal.
- Equipment-Grounding Conductor
- The conductor and bonding path connecting metal boxes, the switch yoke, and fixture grounding parts to the branch circuit's grounding system.
- Reidentification
- Marking a conductor to indicate a function different from its insulation color, performed only where the approved wiring method permits.
- Fixture-Rated Support
- A box or bracket system listed to carry the specific weight and mounting method of the installed fixture.
- Switch and Fixture Wiring Worksheet
- The document recording conductor identification, connections, grounding path verification, and functional test results.
Skill Check
- Why must the grounded conductor never be landed on an ordinary single-pole switch terminal?
- How does the learner confirm the identity of the incoming supply conductor versus the switched-leg conductor before terminating either one?
- What must be verified about a fixture box and support before mounting a light fixture to it?
- Why must equipment-grounding conductors be bonded through both the switch box and the fixture box rather than at only one location?
- What symptom during the functional test indicates a possible reversal of the incoming supply and switched-leg conductors?
- Why must all splices and terminations be inspected before conductors are folded into the box?
- What conditions during the functional test require the learner to de-energize immediately rather than continue observing?
- Why is reidentification of a conductor only permitted where the approved wiring method allows it?
- What must the learner do if the fixture flickers after restoration of power?
- What information must be recorded on the Switch and Fixture Wiring Worksheet before the next chapter project may begin?
Competency Rubric
| Competency | Independent Pass Standard | Not Demonstrated | With Assistance | Independently |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EL-061 | Wires a switch loop, correctly identifying the incoming supply and switched-leg conductors at the switch box | |||
| EL-062 | Connects fixture conductors, splicing the grounded conductor continuously and landing the switched leg on the fixture's ungrounded lead | |||
| EL-063 | Mounts the light fixture using a box and support listed for the fixture's weight and type | |||
| EL-064 | Installs the switch device, terminating conductors using listed terminal methods and mounting the switch square to the box | |||
| EL-065 | Tests switching operation, confirming correct switching, fixture operation, and absence of flicker after restoration of power | |||
| EL-066 | Inspects device and fixture boxes for correct grounding, box fill, splice quality, and support before and after energization |
Mark one column per competency. Only Demonstrated Independently awards the competency; Demonstrated with Assistance authorizes additional supervised practice but does not complete the requirement.
Inspection Checklist — Switch and Fixture Wiring Worksheet
| Item | Target Condition | Result | Pass/Fail | Correction (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| De-energization | Verified by live-dead-live test before any cover was removed | |||
| Conductor identification | Incoming supply, switched leg, grounded, and equipment-grounding conductors identified at both boxes | |||
| Grounding continuity | Grounded conductor spliced continuously to fixture neutral; equipment-grounding path bonded and continuity-verified | |||
| Switch termination | Incoming supply and switched leg landed on separate switch terminals | |||
| Fixture termination | Switched conductor to ungrounded lead, grounded conductor to neutral lead | |||
| Support verification | Fixture box and support listed for the installed fixture's weight and type | |||
| Functional test | Switch cycles the fixture correctly with no flicker or abnormal heat |
Unresolved conditions and correction plan: ____________________________________________
Assembly declared ready: ______ (Pass/Fail) Date: ____________ Builder name: ____________
Performance Check
With the conductors identified, grounding path completed, switch and fixture terminated and mounted, and power restored, review the finished assembly against the Acceptance Standards table and confirm the incoming supply and switched-leg conductors are correctly landed, the grounded conductor is spliced continuously to the fixture without being landed on the switch, the equipment-grounding path is continuous and bonded, the fixture is mounted to a support listed for its weight, and the switch reliably turns the fixture on and off with no flicker, heat, or intermittent operation. Complete the Switch and Fixture Wiring Worksheet and correct any failed item before beginning Project 12. If an item fails, identify whether the error occurred in conductor identification, grounding continuity, switch termination, fixture termination, or support selection before correcting it and re-running the affected check.
Project Closeout
You have completed the eleventh project in the residential electrical sequence: wiring and testing a single-pole switch controlling one light fixture. This project required you to identify the incoming supply, switched leg, grounded conductor, and equipment-grounding conductors, splice the grounded conductor continuously to the fixture, terminate the switch and fixture correctly, mount both components to their listed supports, and verify correct, flicker-free switching operation after restoration of power (EL-061 through EL-066).
You now have a repeatable switch-loop identification and fixture-termination system, plus a documented wiring record you can reference for every later switching project in this book. That system carries directly into the next project: wiring a three-way switching circuit that controls one light from two locations.
Keep your Switch and Fixture Wiring Worksheet and approved wiring diagram. You will reuse this exact conductor-identification and grounding discipline, extended to two switches and two traveler conductors, in Project 12.