Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Multiple lights on single switch

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chrisch
02-24-09, 04:15 AM
This has probably been answered a hundred times but here goes. I have a simple on/off switch to control 4 lights, and it's on it's own dedicated breaker so there are no outlets or anything to worry about. I can send power to the switch first (I assume it's easier that way). I understand electronic circuits so I am trying to draw up a schematic of what it would look like. I would think that the switch would need to be in series with the source, and the lights would then be connected in parallel. Is this correct, or should the whole thing be wired in series (doesn't sound right)? If it's just one simple parallel circuit, then the lights will have constant power.

Can anyone shed any light? (pun)


chandler
02-24-09, 04:42 AM
You are correct on the first count. The switch will just break the hot wire, so your neutral will travel intact. Then wire the lights black-black, white-white, ground-ground.

John Nelson
02-24-09, 08:35 AM
All 120-volt loads in your house are in parallel with all other 120-volt loads in your house. It's the only way everything gets the 120 volts it needs. The only thing in series are the switches and things that act like switches.


chrisch
02-25-09, 03:43 AM
Thanks guys that worked like a charm. Being able to visualize it in a schematic makes it easier to understand.