Connect new recessed lighting to outlet or a switch

[4hunters]

Hi, I installed 6 recessed lights in my living room. I’m now up to the wiring part of the project. There is an outlet in the room that is half-hot. The switch just outside the room controls the bottom part of the outlet. The switch has 2 red wires and 1 black. The black is always hot and located on the top right hand side of the switch. When I turn the switch on, the two reds become hot. The whites are together in the junction box.

The outlet has three wires. One red, one black and one white. The black is located on the top right of the outlet and it’s always hot. The red becomes hot when the switch is turned on. The white is a real neutral wire.

I would like to know which way is best to connect into the recessed lighting. Should I use the switch? Should I use the outlet? I don’t need the outlet anymore if that makes this solution easier.

I have videos and pictures too.

Thanks so much in advance for any advice.

All the best,

Dave

 

[Megawatt]

Hi, I installed 6 recessed lights in my living room. I’m now up to the wiring part of the project. There is an outlet in the room that is half-hot. The switch just outside the room controls the bottom part of the outlet. The switch has 2 red wires and 1 black. The black is always hot and located on the top right hand side of the switch. When I turn the switch on, the two reds become hot. The whites are together in the junction box.

The outlet has three wires. One red, one black and one white. The black is located on the top right of the outlet and it’s always hot. The red becomes hot when the switch is turned on. The white is a real neutral wire.

I would like to know which way is best to connect into the recessed lighting. Should I use the switch? Should I use the outlet? I don’t need the outlet anymore if that makes this solution easier.

I have videos and pictures too.

Thanks so much in advance for any advice.

All the best,

Dave

You actually need to use the light switch since that’s where the lights are controlled from. The red wires should be your travelers going to another switch. It sounds like a 3 way switch. Good luck with your project