Need help with wiring in a basement
#1
03-12-03, 01:58 PM
Need help with wiring in a basement
I'm running wire for lighting in the basement that i'm finishing.
There are 4 different areas: one having 8 recessed lights, one having 6 recessed lights and two having 4 recessed lights. They all share a 20 amp or 15 amp circuit. I want to control each of these 4 areas with one switch (or dimmer), but all of the swiches (or dimmers) will be located at one place. Please tell me what is the best way to wire this (please be specific). BTW, I do have access to the ceiling joists (drywall has not been installed). Thanks in advance.
There are 4 different areas: one having 8 recessed lights, one having 6 recessed lights and two having 4 recessed lights. They all share a 20 amp or 15 amp circuit. I want to control each of these 4 areas with one switch (or dimmer), but all of the swiches (or dimmers) will be located at one place. Please tell me what is the best way to wire this (please be specific). BTW, I do have access to the ceiling joists (drywall has not been installed). Thanks in advance.
#2
03-12-03, 02:41 PM
Member
If you plan dimmers, I suggest that "one place" not mean one three-gang box. Three one-gang boxes in the same general area would be much better at handling the heat of the dimmers. Otherwise, you'll have a very crowded box and will be forced to buy 1000-watt dimmers to handle the derating.
Just run your 12/2 power feed to the first switch box, then feed power from the first switch box to the second switch box with another 12/2, and then feed power from the second switch box to the third switch box with another 12/2.
Then run 12/2 from each switch box to the first light it controls. Then 12/2 from the first light on each run to the second light, and so on.
At each switch box, connect the all white wires together. Then connect the two black power wires to one of the two dimmer wires (or use a pigtail to connect them to one screw on a standard switch). Then connect the black wire to the lights to the other dimmer wire (or switch screw).
At each light, match wires by color.
If you decide to use ordinary switches and a 3-gang box, then you won't need the 12/2 between switch boxes, but can simply use the power black wire to connect to one screw on all three switches with three pigtails.
I'm assuming you know what to do with the grounding wires. Use the green wire nuts with the hole in the end at the switches.
Just run your 12/2 power feed to the first switch box, then feed power from the first switch box to the second switch box with another 12/2, and then feed power from the second switch box to the third switch box with another 12/2.
Then run 12/2 from each switch box to the first light it controls. Then 12/2 from the first light on each run to the second light, and so on.
At each switch box, connect the all white wires together. Then connect the two black power wires to one of the two dimmer wires (or use a pigtail to connect them to one screw on a standard switch). Then connect the black wire to the lights to the other dimmer wire (or switch screw).
At each light, match wires by color.
If you decide to use ordinary switches and a 3-gang box, then you won't need the 12/2 between switch boxes, but can simply use the power black wire to connect to one screw on all three switches with three pigtails.
I'm assuming you know what to do with the grounding wires. Use the green wire nuts with the hole in the end at the switches.
#3
03-12-03, 03:56 PM
Thanks a lot for your quick reply, John.
I currently have a 4-gang box installed but I will replace it with a 2-gang box for 2 switches and 2 one-gang boxes for 2 dimmers as you suggested. I didnt know that the heat problem involves with dimmers. All of these box will be installed one next to another. Maybe the 2-gang switch box is between to the two dimmers to better handle of the heat of the dimmers. Thanks again.
I currently have a 4-gang box installed but I will replace it with a 2-gang box for 2 switches and 2 one-gang boxes for 2 dimmers as you suggested. I didnt know that the heat problem involves with dimmers. All of these box will be installed one next to another. Maybe the 2-gang switch box is between to the two dimmers to better handle of the heat of the dimmers. Thanks again.
