I have wired up 5 extra down light in a circuit. When I turn them on, they dim and if I remove one they all go out. What amI doing wrong?

Well they are wired in series, but as to how step by step to fix this you might want to consult a home wiring expert to connect the lights through junction points.

It does sound like you wired them in series, but as you suggested, you already knew you could hire somebody to do it. I will try to give you the help you want.

What you need to do is run a 3 wire cable from the breaker or switch to the first light. Connect the black wire to the brass screw, the white to the nickel plated one and the bare to the green screw or to the metal box. Then connect a second length of wire to the same screws, and run it to the next light, connecting the same wires to the same screws. Run a third length of wire to the third light connecting it the same way, etc.

For most lighting circuits, NM-B 14-2 is a good choice if it is connected to a 15 amp breaker. If it is a 20 amp breaker, you must use #12 wire for the entire circuit. With a 15 amp breaker, the total of lights and anything else on the circuit must add up to no more than 1440 watts. You can't run five 300 watt light fixtures on a 15 amp circuit.

I seldom answer questions like this anymore and only jumped in to show you there are people here that want to help.

I have wired up 5 extra down light in a curcuit. When I turn them on, they dim and if I remove one they all go out. What amI doing wrong?
Ok Woolagemike,
Now for another explanation. If you intend on having all those five downlights on the same switch, then you need to fix the first one that is wired in series to the others, just make sure the circuit power originates from the switch outlet. Also make sure that the remaining downlights are all parallel wired as follows;
It is an easy fix if you can access the j-box of that one offending down light. So far, I have really said nothing. Once you access that 'can' wire hookup, reconnect all the wires in parallel, BK-BK, WH-WH, and bare to bare connected to the fixture metal ground. (wire All 5 downlights the same.)
Does this help? :) nm

It does sound like you wired them in series, but as you suggested, you already knew you could hire somebody to do it. I will try to give you the help you want.

What you need to do is run a 3 wire cable from the breaker or switch to the first light.

Hi Labman,
One of these days I am going to give a reply on how to groom a dog and you are going to jump all over me.:D :D nm