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spanky third · Feb 7, 2009, 10:12 PM

I want to wire 4 fluorescent lights separately on single switches but want to put the switches in one blue box. Other words, I want to be able to turn on one light at a time, or turn on 3 different lights at a time. How do I run the wires in the switch box? Do I pigtail all of the switches? The lights is in my garage that I am finishing off. Thanks

creahands · Feb 8, 2009, 05:57 AM

You will not have to use pigtails if you have the power going to each light.

If power comes into the switch box, you will have to use use pigtail to one side of wire coming from power to each switch. One leg of wire from each light will go to each switch.
The other wires from lights will be tied together with other side of power.

Hope this helps.Good luck

spanky third · Feb 12, 2009, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by creahands

You will not have to use pigtails if you have the power going to each light.

If power comes into the switch box, you will have to use use pigtail to one side of wire coming from power to each switch. One leg of wire from each light will go to each switch.
The other wires from lights will be tied together with other side of power.

Hope this helps.Good luck

Thanks Creahands, I am not quite clear on this yet. I am new at this as you can tell. I have one line with power coming in and leaving the box. I have the 4 wires run for the 4 lights. I will twist all the white wires together. I will twist all the ground wires together. I will connect the black wire from each light cable to the bottom screw on each switch. How do get the power to all 4 switches? Do I cut one short black wire and wrap it around the top screw of each switch and twist it together with the other black wires? Do I cut a short ground wire and twist it with all the other ground wires and attach to the grounding screw on the switch? Need some more instructions please. Thanks from spanky third

Stratmando · Feb 13, 2009, 05:56 AM

You will need 4 short pieces of black wire, about 8". Connect these 4 short wires with the 2 other blacks(in and out).
Then each of the 4 wires goes to each switch.

creahands · Feb 13, 2009, 06:42 AM

Hi spanky third
Stratmando has covered the set up for the power to the switches. You should also connect a ground wire to each ground lug on each switch. You will need 4 ground wires about 8" long.
If you are using metal box, connect a ground wire to the box. Tie all ground wires together. Use wire nut to hold secure.

spanky third · Feb 13, 2009, 09:07 AM

[QUOTE=Stratmando;1546000]You will need 4 short pieces of black wire, about 8". Connect these 4 short wires with the 2 other blacks(in and out).
Then each of the 4 wires goes to each switch.[/QUOTE

Thanks Stratmando, I will let you know when I put these wires together. I thought 6 wires in one little connector was too much. Have a good day. Spanky third

spanky third · Feb 13, 2009, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by creahands

Hi spanky third
Stratmando has covered the set up for the power to the switches. You should also connect a ground wire to each ground lug on each switch. you will need 4 ground wires about 8" long.
If you are useing metal box, connect a ground wire to the box. Tie all ground wires together. Use wire nut to hold secure.

Thanks Creahands, I am using a plastic box so I will not be grounding to the box. That is a lot of wires to twist together but I am going to try this within about 2 hours. Thanks so much for your help. Have a nice day. Spanky third

Stratmando · Feb 13, 2009, 12:06 PM

Wold be nice if in a 4 gang box.
If a 2 gang box, you could use 2 dual slide dimmers.

Tev · Feb 13, 2009, 12:43 PM

Just be sure to use the correct size wire nut. It should be listed on the package how many of each size wire the nut is good for.

Stratmando · Feb 13, 2009, 01:20 PM

You can always have 4 of the connections in a wirenut, and connect 3 more wires in a wirenut with a small jumper, connecting the 2 groups.

spanky third · Feb 13, 2009, 09:45 PM

Originally Posted by Tev

Just be sure to use the correct size wire nut. It should be listed on the package how many of each size wire the nut is good for.

Thanks Tev, I did find a wire nut that would hold the wires. That was one packed box of wires but it was interesting to connect. Spanky third

spanky third · Feb 13, 2009, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by Stratmando

You can always have 4 of the connections in a wirenut, and connect 3 more wires in a wirenut with a small jumper, connecting the 2 groups.

Thanks Stratmando, I have everything attached and ready to turn the power on. I have a few more outlets to connect before I test to see if all is o.k. I may blow up the world. I am a lady do it yourselfer but this is my first electrical work. Will let you know what happens. Spanky third

spanky third · Feb 14, 2009, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by spanky third

Thanks Stratmando, I have everything attached and ready to turn the power on. I have a few more outlets to connect before I test to see if all is o.k. I may blow up the world. I am a lady do it yourselfer but this is my first electrical work. Will let you know what happens. Spanky third

Hello, Back again and have finished the job. Thanks to all that gave me the good information and instruction. I have lights everywhere and all is super. Without all of you I could not have connected the switches. Have a good day. Spanky third

Stratmando · Feb 14, 2009, 05:55 PM

Glad to hear all is well. Take care, and from all who helped.