I would like to wire two wall sconces on either side of my fireplace. I was planning on continuing the electrical circuit from a wall outlet located near the fireplace and including an inline switch. The outlet is on the left side of the fireplace so I was planning on running the wire 6 feet strait up from the outlet, over three feet, installing a new electrical box and mounting the sconce. The question I have is, how can I run the wire to the other sconce on the right side of the fireplace. Can I run the wire in the wall in front of the fireplace? Also is there any electrical codes that require switches to be a certain height off the floor? I live in southern California.
The best way would be to run the wires right up the wall from the first box, into the attic/ceiling, then over and down for the second box. Switches are generally about 48 to center of the box.
If you have a gas fireplace you can run the wire trough the wall but it may be better to run it out of the ceiling down to the location you want. Your switch should match the rest of the house so measure one of them first.
Usually only one outlet is controlled by the switch. But check it out by plugging the lamp into both. If only one is indeed coltrolled by the switch you need to shut odd the power at the breaker panel, remove the cover plate and the outlet from the box. there's a screw on each side of the outlet for each plug. loosen the screws, make a bend in the wires, hook the wires on the screws and re tighten them, teassemble and turn the breaker back on. Try the light.
you want Your switch box to be the same height as your other switches in the room as for getting from one sconce to another if the fire place is ont he 1st floor and the basement ceiling isn't sheet rocked i would suggest drilling a hole from the basement making sure your in the wall send a snake from the basement to where you plan on putting the sconce on the left side pull the wire to the basement cut in your box for the sconce on the right side drill another hole from the basement making sure again your in the wall send the snake up to the hole you cut in on the right side that is the easiest way with the least amount of damage but make sure you measure correctly so if you drill up you don't come through the floor
