Parallel Lights with switch loop

[drumhunt]

I would like to connect two flourescent light to one switch, but have the swith at the end of the run. I'm getting the main power off of a junction box. I have the power going from junction box to light one. Black Power IN to White ongoing wire, white IN to white fixture, and black ongoing to black fixture. This works fine. The problem is that the light between here and the switch will not light with any combination of wiring that I have tried. Do I have to put the power to the switch instead and just reverse my run?

[Desy2820]

way to wire a swich is to bring the power to the switch first, then to the lights.

I think you can do this the way you want. If I'm understanding right, the first light works like it's supposed to, and the second one won't light?

Run a cable from the second light to the first light. Run a cable from the first light box to the switch. Bring power into first light box also. All cables 2 wire/w ground.

First light fixture box:

Power white to both lights white.
Power black to switch cable white-mark this end black with tape or marker
Switch cable black to both black light wires.

At the switch:

Connect white to one screw, black to the other. mark the white cable black like you did at the cieling.

Should be working now! Don't forget to tie all the grounds togehter, most flourescent lights don't work properly unless grounded.

PS- If it's easier for you, you can bring everything into the second switch box instead of the first. None of the connections will change.

Hope this helps!

[joed]

You need a 14/3 between the two lights to make this work. If you can do that post back and I will tell you how to make the connections.

[drumhunt]

I will probably go with the power to the switch first. I have another set of lights wired this way and it works great. I was trying to create the cleanest most direct run with the switch loop so I don't have so many wires running all over the place. I understand your idea, but it is not as efficient as going through the switch first, due to the layout of my basement. Thanks for the suggestion.

[drumhunt]

I thought I might have to use a wire with the Black, white, and red to make this work. Problem is that I am going off of an existing 20 AMP breaker which is more than I really need for lights, but since the breaker already exists I am using 12/2 wire. I will probably go to the witch first and make a standard run. It will only be one more wire and I can run it off of another gang box that is not far from the switch. I was hoing to eliminate one wire since mt switch box is shallow and already has another switch in it that is part of a three way switch system. Thanks..

[John Nelson]

If you run 12/3 instead of 12/2 between the lights, you can reduce the crowding in your switch box because you won't have to add anything else to it other than the one 12/2 going to the switch now.