Hello, I'm looking for some wiring help with a DIY project. I want to create a 6-light bulb array (incandescent, 60W bulbs) that would allow me to dim the lights, and also independently control on/off of pairs of lights.
There are 3 pairs of lights (6 total)-- if all are switched "on" then the dimmer switch would dim all lights equally. However I'd like to also be able to switch on or off any of the pairs of lights, while the remaining lights stay on and remain dimmable. I've included a mock up of the array (this is not an electrical diagram of course, just a conceptual drawing), and I would need help with some basic wiring questions as well as where (in the circuit) the on/off switches might go, in addition to some specific suggestions for what type of on/off switch might work. I was able to put together a dimmable ring light of 12 bulbs several years ago with a little assistance (pic attached), so even though I am not accomplished in the electrical arts, I can complete such a project with a little bit of guidance. Thank you for any help or suggestions.
JR Davis
You'd need to pick out some type of single pole single throw switch. You could use regular wall toggles if you have something to put them in. Otherwise choose a toggle or something similar.
OK great, thank you very much. So to clarify the wiring- the Lutron dimmer has 4 wires-- Green, Red, Black, and a Red/White dual color wire. I'm using an old extension cord with the receiving end cut off, connected to the dimmer as the 120AC "source" of power from a wall outlet (this light array will be mounted in a portable box). So here's how I understand the wiring up-- the Red/white wire is simply capped. Green to green. The white wire from the extension cord connects to the black wire on the dimmer. The Red wire from the dimmer then is the H source. The black wire from the extension cord does not connect directly to the dimmer and serves as the N (pic attached).
The Red wire (H) connects to one pole on a switch, and the other pole of that switch then connects to the CENTER pole of the bulb socket. N attaches to the threaded cup portion of the socket (pic attached). Do I have the details of the wiring correct?
Would a simple "light switch" like this work? https://www.lowes.com/pd/Eaton-Singl...tch/1002943874
Finally, what type of easily available wire would work here? AWG of the wire, Watt rating, # of strands?
Thank you again for your assistance in getting this project off the ground.
JRD
Really? I was under the impression that the white wire from the extension cord was hot while the black wire was neutral (with green = ground). You are stating that I've got my wires crossed, so to speak?
Thank you,
JRD
OK yes, got it. I thought I remembered from my circle light project a while back that it was the other way, but I must have remembered incorrectly, so thank you for catching that. If I simply switch the incoming wires coming into the light bulb array from the dimmer (changes depicted in blue in the updated diagrams), then the rest should be correct otherwise, yes?
Also, I'm going to pull out the circle light that I built and re-check the wiring coming out of the dimmer. The circle light works just fine as is. However, based on what I understand, it would still "work" just fine if the wiring were backwards-- it would just present a safety hazard, as the relatively more exposed socket cup would be wired to hot vs neutral, making it more likely that an accidental shock could occur during bulb changes or anytime the unit was plugged in. Is this basically correct? I'm trying to learn as much as I can about this field, so that I do things correctly. Thank you again for your input.
JRD
If I want to connect 3 2 gang boxes is this correct? The last box on the right will have another wire coming out and going up the stud at the end to the power souce.
[img]https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.doityourselft.com-vbulletin/753x124/electrical_01_6ee0d447dc13ed049797d81c02a2d4c98e62977f.png[/img]
Im installing a Radon Fan (Fantech RN2) which does not come with a wire or a diagram of how to hook it up. I'm also not familiar with nor can I find any code for connecting this to the electrical system. I had originally decided to run a cable from the Fan directly into the basement and, using an 18 ga. wire with premade plug, attach it to the same outlet as the sump pump (the fan would be almost directly above the Sump) the wire turned out to not be the kind I wanted for the job, and I'm now rethinking the whole electrical part. So, questions.
1) Does it REQUIRE an outdoor switch? yes, an outdoor switch is a good idea for maintenance, but is it required? I'm thinking of just wiring it direct into the Breaker box on top of the Sump breaker, thus for maintenance, I could just use the breaker, but want to make sure I'm up to code - if any.
2) Would a dedicated circuit be better? One person told me tying into the sump is ok, but someone else said no. Which would be right?
3) I cannot find any definitive description of what wire would be best. 3 wire, obviously, but what gauge and whether or not a conduit is needed are big questions.
Well, that's about it for now....I expect any answers will come up with more questions, but I thank you all!
01-25-21, 03:31 PM
