If you want to wire multiple lights to one switch? You can avoid worrying about going to the bathroom in the dark by clicking a button that turns on the lights in the living room and corridor. For that purpose, you don’t need an expert. We provide you with an easy guide to your destination, so stay tuned:
Table of Contents
The Fundamentals of Light Switch Wiring
Components:
- Hot Wire
It is usually of red or brown. Hot wire transports electricity from the service panel to the circuit devices.
- Neutral Wire
It is black and returns current to the service panel,
- Ground
In the event of a short circuit, an electrical ground is a safety device that offers a secure channel for electricity to travel.
- Other Components
Some other components include a switch, power supply, and light fixtures.
Process
For connecting, simple light circuit ground is not required. The process includes the following steps:
- Install your switch on the hot wire.
- Then connect the hot wire to the light fixture.
- Directly connects neutral or cold wire to the light fixture.
- Connect both cables to the supply.
- Turn on the switch to light your bulb.
Wiring of Multiple Lights to One Switch
Two methods are commonly used for multiple wiring wires on a single switch.The most common method is to daisy chain the lights, connect the lights to each other, and connect the first light to the button. The other technique to wire numerous lights to a single switch is to “home run” them all by connecting them to the switch simultaneously. The second option makes it simple to disconnect any devices that you don’t want to use, but it gets complicated when there are multiple fixtures.
- Daisy-Chaining Method:
Name
It is known as “daisy-chaining” because the circuit’s devices are connected in a pattern that resembles a garland of daisies.
Technique
A switching circuit can be connected to several light fixtures using the daisy chaining technique, which places the lights in a parallel circuit under the control of a single switch.
Process
Follow the steps given below:
- Turn off the electricity from the circuit breaker supplying this lighting circuit.
- Fix the light fixtures in the location you want.
- Insert the cable into the light fixture box located farthest away from the light switch.
- Run the cable to the following lightbox and cut it so that a few inches of the line are left sticking out of the box’s opening.
- Run the cable in this manner such that the openings of the following boxes will each have two runs of cable.
- Insert the last cable from the previous light fixture,
- Install the power cable into the switch box from the circuit breaker board. All device boxes’ open sides should now be exposed to the wires.
- On the white and black wires, use the wire strippers to reveal one inch of the copper cable. All the exposed cables should receive this treatment.
- Cut eight-inch segments from the cable to build jumpers or pigtails for the connection from the wires to the light fixtures. For each light fixture, one eight-inch piece is required.
- Strip both ends back an inch to reveal the bare copper wire after removing the black and white strands from eight-inch segments.
- Each of the light boxes’ black wires, including the eight-inch jumper wire, should be twisted using wire pliers. The jumper and the switching feed wire are the only two black wires that will be twisted together in the initial lightbox.
- Now connect all the neutral wires in the box.
- Screw the black and white wires on the back of the light fixtures before installation.
- Using the screws provided by the vendor, fasten the light fixture to the box.
- Connect the neutral wire from the supply to each light source.
- Secure black wire from the supply to the bottom screw of a light switch and black wire from light fixtures to the top screw.
- Turn on the circuit breaker to check your connection.
Safety Precautions
Following safety measures should be considered while doing the circuit:
- Light fixtures should be at least 48 inches high and centered in the room.
- Use a stepladder while working on light fixtures.
- Use a pocketknife or a wire stripper and handle it properly to avoid cuts.
- Install copperplate for stability after screwing wires to the switch.
- Remain the main supply off while connecting the circuit.
- Wear insulating glows to protect your hands from sharp wires, cuts, and shocks.
Drawback
This setup will work safely if the total load or amperage demand does not exceed the switch’s capacity. The distribution panel’s circuit breaker rating should not be exceeded by most buttons, which have ratings of 15 or 20 amps.
Uses
It is a productive approach to managing lighting in residences and commercial buildings.
Image Courtesy by GalcoTv
- Home Run Wiring Method:
Technique
A graphical presentation of a circuit’s wiring to a hub that serves as the power distribution center, a panel, is called the home run wiring method.
Splitter Vs. Tap
A splitter divides the current equally among several outputs on a single line. As the current enters, it divides evenly among all the outcomes. Even though a splitter has fewer outputs, each one still carries the same amount of current.
A tap does not divide the current equally. One output will be more potent than the other. The more robust line will continue to be “tapped,” while the weaker line will serve the receiver to which it is linked so that the last device will have the most substantial possible current.
Process
The following steps are taken to install multiple lights to a single switch by home run technique:
- Each outgoing hot wire from a home run light switch must be connected to the switch’s load terminal.
- Make pigtails or twist all black wires running to the fixtures to secure.
- Connect the short wire to the load terminal after screwing a wire cap onto the spliced joint.
- The ground wires should be connected to the ground terminal using the same method.
- You don’t require a pigtail when you reach the white wires. To cap them, twist them all together.
- Now, turn on the main supply to check your connections.
Safety Precautions:
Following safety measures should be considered while doing the circuit:
- Use a stepladder while working on light fixtures.
- Install copperplate for stability after screwing wires to the switch.
- Remain the main supply off while connecting the circuit.
- Wear insulating glows to protect your hands from sharp wires, cuts, and shocks.
Drawback
Home run wire conversions can be costly and time-consuming, and their need is not always clear. Home run wiring is simple to install when performing the initial installation but fitting numerous wires into a conduit made for one might be challenging.
Uses:
A single line with a tap point at each television was traditionally used for cable installations in hotels and other locations.
Conclusion
Wiring multiple lights to one switch are explained by two commonly used methods with their benefits and drawbacks. Now, you can choose the method of your choice.
To help you understand, we’ve included a useful video link below.