Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - How to put basement lights on switch

Hi All,

I have an unfinished basement area with four lights - the kind where the porecelin fixture is attached to the junction box. For the most part the lights are on different lines that service the various rooms in my house immedietly above the fixture.

I would like to place the lights on a wall switch. I suppose I could run separate switch loops for each fixture but this would require a fair amount of wiring. Is there such a thing as a remote switch that would screw in to the fixture and that could be controlled from the wall or a motion sensing switch that could be placed at the fixture?

Thanks!

You could put them all on one of the circuits, run a single switch loop from the box from which power is to be obtained and then run cable to each of the other boxes. You may have to watch out for box fill, and if it is causes a problem either install a new box or a box extension.

Would this (http://www.smarthome.com/2512.html) work for you? I have one in the basement in a cubby-hole storage area under the stairs.

You want each light on a separate switch or all four lights on one switch?

That's a neat device Rick. Too bad it won't accept CFL's.

Question for racraft. I would like to run a new circuit to avoid overloading the other ciruits. Is it ok to have two different power lines running into the same junction box because I would want to use the current junction boxes for the new line but leave the old wiring in place. Obviously I would keep the lines separate but they would be in close proximity.

Also, if my switch loop was wired into a motion sensor wall switch such as this http://www.smarthome.com/2520i.html which claims to work for electronic ballasts, would it be ok to have a mix of CFL's in the old fixtures (four total) and then maybe three workshop lights with T8 bulbs all on the same line? Basically, I want to add some extra lights.

Thanks!

Thanks.

It is allowed to have multiple circuits in the same box. Be careful NOT to exceed box fill requirements.

Be careful with a motion sensing switch. Pay attention to the range and field of view of the sensor. An entire basement is a large area, usually with things in the way. You would not want to be in the far corner of the basement and have the light go out. My recommendation is to NOT use one in an area where the switch is easily found.

Be careful with any electronic timer, dimmer, or switch that you do NOT exceed the current limits of the switch. I do NOT know if you can mix loads with a switch like this.