PDA

View Full Version : Wiring 3 lights with one hot coming in


Finishline
Nov 3, 2008, 06:37 PM
I am remodeling a bath and have one wire coming in. It was used for 1 light. I want to put in a light over the vanity, an exaust fan, and an additional light. Each with its own switch. How can I do this? I am not an electrican so very simple direction would be helpful.

donf
Nov 4, 2008, 11:31 AM
May I suggest that you at least invest in some basic wiring books so you can get a feel the spectrum of work you have facing you.

Otherwise, I strongly urge you to talk to some electricians and get bids on the job.

kich1031
Nov 5, 2008, 06:23 PM
Can't really keep it simple if your not an electrician...

All a switch is, is a make or break point for a circuit. Switchs do not need neutrals. So, you have to pig-tail (turn that one hot into 3 hots by splicing 3 more wires to the existing) the hot wire so you can feed all three switchs. Connect 1 new hot wire to each switch. Now, now you have to take a wire from the switch up to the new device. All the remaining white wires just get tied together, that provides your devices with there neutral.

Mount a 3 gang box. Take a 12/2 romex to the box (LINE, this is the incoming power source), pull a 12/2 romex to each device (LOAD, outgoing power). Splice 3 pieces of wire (black insulated) to the LINE wire. Now you have THREE LINE wire. Put one LINE wire under one of the terminal screws of the switch. Now, from the LOAD wires, land each of the black wires under the new corresponding switch terminal screw. Splice the LINE and LOAD neutrals together. Ground each of the switchs with the bare copper.

hkstroud
Nov 5, 2008, 11:24 PM
How you would wire that depends on whether you have power coming to the switch or power coming to the existing vanity light.

hkstroud
Nov 5, 2008, 11:25 PM
..