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Old 12-03-2003, 03:37 PM   #4 (permalink)
Bossnass
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Location: AWOL in Edmonton
I agree with the above posts, the two wires are to switch the light, and I would say that they shouldn't be used for anything else.

It also depends on the circuit itself. Years and years ago, my dad performed a similar operation, running a receptcle from the junction box above the light. It just so happened that the orginal electrician who wired up the place in the first place was short on breakers and had run an extensive lighting circuit throughout the top floor, where the bathroom was located. The result, after my dad ran an outlet off of it for the same reason you have, to run a blow dryer, was somewhat problematic. Sure, mom could dry her hair, but if the lights were on in their bedroom, the hallway, and my sister's room, the breaker snapped off. And then I was usually sent to the basement to flip it back on.

A few summers ago while doing some renovations, one of my friends from highschool who became an electrician and I rewired my parents house. A new main panel, replacing the scary old wire, and running about 8 new circuits. What I learned was that if you have an open attic or exposed joists (or a drop ceiling) in the basement, it really is pretty easy to run wires to where you need them. A little coiled wire snake was the only tool I had to buy (I already had a multimeter and required hand tools).

So what I'm rambling about here is that if at all possible, run a fresh circuit, or at least make sure that the existing light circuit will handle the load.
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