wiring help
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wiring help
I need to add three lights in my basement. Each light needs to be off its own 2-way switch. If I put a junction box with the power source coming into it, can I split these off to 3 different lights, each independently controlled from the other? I was hoping I could run a two wire from each switch to the power source at the junction box, and then run a 2 wire from each switch to its respective light, but I'm not sure if this can be done on the same circuit? Any help appreciated.
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1st) where does your power source originate from? What else is on this ckt.?
2nd) how many wires are in this box?
3rd) What size wires are they (12/2-14/2- etc.)
Depending on the curent configureation,this can/could be an easy task.You are on the right path, a little more info can seal the deal.
2nd) how many wires are in this box?
3rd) What size wires are they (12/2-14/2- etc.)
Depending on the curent configureation,this can/could be an easy task.You are on the right path, a little more info can seal the deal.
#3
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Of course you can do this. I don't recommend it, but you can do it.
However, since you are questioning this, you have a lot to learn. Start with the book "Wiring Simplified" available at the bog box stores or on-line. Read it cover to cover (okay, skip the farm wiring section). This book should answer your questions.
In general I discourage junction boxes that exist purely so that circuits can be split. A better design has the splitting of the circuit at one of the switches or lights. However, there are times and situations, especially with pre-existing circuits and certain repair jobs that it does make sense to use a junction box.
Remember that ALL junction boxes must be permanently accessible. They cannot be buried in walls or ceilings.
However, since you are questioning this, you have a lot to learn. Start with the book "Wiring Simplified" available at the bog box stores or on-line. Read it cover to cover (okay, skip the farm wiring section). This book should answer your questions.
In general I discourage junction boxes that exist purely so that circuits can be split. A better design has the splitting of the circuit at one of the switches or lights. However, there are times and situations, especially with pre-existing circuits and certain repair jobs that it does make sense to use a junction box.
Remember that ALL junction boxes must be permanently accessible. They cannot be buried in walls or ceilings.
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1st) where does your power source originate from? What else is on this ckt.?
Nothing else is on this circuit. It is a straight feed from the panel. Only these three lights will be on this circuit.
2nd) how many wires are in this box?
None, yet. I need to feed three different lights
3rd) What size wires are they (12/2-14/2- etc.)
It's all 12-2 on 20amp circuit.
"In general I discourage junction boxes that exist purely so that circuits can be split. A better design has the splitting of the circuit at one of the switches or lights."
ok, how would I go about splitting them at each light switch and still have them all share the same power source?
Nothing else is on this circuit. It is a straight feed from the panel. Only these three lights will be on this circuit.
2nd) how many wires are in this box?
None, yet. I need to feed three different lights
3rd) What size wires are they (12/2-14/2- etc.)
It's all 12-2 on 20amp circuit.
"In general I discourage junction boxes that exist purely so that circuits can be split. A better design has the splitting of the circuit at one of the switches or lights."
ok, how would I go about splitting them at each light switch and still have them all share the same power source?
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Nothing else is on this circuit. It is a straight feed from the panel. Only these three lights will be on this circuit.#
Then in this case.. Run the 12/2 to each switch box.. Panel to box 1--to box 2--etc; Then a 12/2 from each box to the respective light.
DO NOT ENERGIZE CKT!!! Untill all terminations are complete!!!
In each switch box splice all whites together. splice, the blacks from panel together with a pigtail comming off of these, This will be the switch "HOT", terminated on the top screw of switch. Splice all grounds together, with a pig tail for termination on the switch (green screw).
at the switch location..Attach the black going to the light to the other (bottom) screw on the switch.
At the light; depending on terminations, If screw connection: white to silver screw: black to bronze screw.
If wires: white to white , black to black. and bare (ground) to ground or green screw.
Then in this case.. Run the 12/2 to each switch box.. Panel to box 1--to box 2--etc; Then a 12/2 from each box to the respective light.
DO NOT ENERGIZE CKT!!! Untill all terminations are complete!!!
In each switch box splice all whites together. splice, the blacks from panel together with a pigtail comming off of these, This will be the switch "HOT", terminated on the top screw of switch. Splice all grounds together, with a pig tail for termination on the switch (green screw).
at the switch location..Attach the black going to the light to the other (bottom) screw on the switch.
At the light; depending on terminations, If screw connection: white to silver screw: black to bronze screw.
If wires: white to white , black to black. and bare (ground) to ground or green screw.
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So are you saying I don't need a junction box and that I can simply chose one of the three switches as the entry point of the power from the panel, and if I follow your wire instructions I can continue that power to the other lights and each will operate independently?
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By that I mean I want each of the 3 switches to control its corresponding light, and only that light. I want them all to share the same power source, but need to know how to wire it in such a way that one switch doesn't end up controlling all 3 lights. that's why I was thinking of running the power source to a junction box, and having three separate 2 wires going to each respective switch, then running another 2 wire from each switch to its corresponding light. But Racraft said I shouldn't splice the power off in a junction box, and to split the wire at one of the switches, so that's what I'm trying to figure out how to do.
#11
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Run cable from panel to the first switch, but do not make any connections in the panel at this time. Run another cable from the first switch to the second switch. From there run a cable from the second switch to the third switch. In the first and second switch boxes, connect the two black wires and a pigtail together. This pigtail gets connected to the bottom screw on the switch. At the third switch, connect the black wire to the bottom screw on the switch. Now run a cable from each switch to its corresponding light. In each switch box, connect all the whites together. Connect the black in the cable run from the switch to the light to the top screw of the switch. Connect all grounds together and to the switch and to the switch box if it is a metal box.
Connect the lights. Now, make the connections in the panel.
Connect the lights. Now, make the connections in the panel.
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Pay attention!
3- people have described the same thing.
Don't make it more difficult than it realy is. Otherwise it will surely get messed up.
With none to blame but yourself.
Best of luck.
3- people have described the same thing.
Don't make it more difficult than it realy is. Otherwise it will surely get messed up.
With none to blame but yourself.
Best of luck.