Remodeling one level of a split. Gutted area and reconfigured the rooms. As a result, all of this existing wiring has been removed. Going to wire with fresh runs from newer breaker box. Looking for some advice on running wire in an efficient and correct manner on four of the lights. In the pictured diagram, I have four lights and switches labeled as L1, S1, etc…. The lights in the small interior room are for the powder room and will be on a different circuit due to a vent fan and load I wanted to put on the other lights. For the switch boxes, I am using 22.5 cubic inch boxes and for the ceiling fans I am using 15.8 cubic inch boxes (part of a heavy duty ceiling fan mounting system). L1 is an existing outside light that cannot be a junction. L4 is a closet light that can have a large box if needed. The power will come in from with 14 gauge wire where it is labeled “Power Enters Here”. Is it better to have the junctions in the switch boxes or the light fixture boxes? Does it matter to NEC assuming the junction points have capacity to handle the number of wires? What is the best path to run on a single circuit with 14 gauge wire?

Thanks for the art work.

The use of 14 AWG cables limits the amperage to 15 amps per circuit.

How are you going to feed the various receptacle outlets? If you use 12 AWG cable you can supply the receptacles with 20 amps per circuit.

How many circuits are you planning on using? I suggest that you use 20 Amp for the receptacles and 15 amp for the lights.

Lights: There are two ways to connect the switches to the lights.
1) Bring the power to the switch, make the connections to the switch using only
The Black conductor and then complete the run to the light.

2) Create a switch loop. Bring the supply to the ceiling box, then run a 3 wire
With ground (Black - Red - White - Bare ground) to the switch outlet. At the
Ceiling box, connect the black (supply) to the Black (switch). Red would go to
The fan's light (usually blue). White from the fan and white from the switch will
Go the supply white. Then connect the ground wires together.

At the wall switch, connect the black to the bottom of the switch. Connect the
Red to the top of the switch and cap off the white. Connect the grounds.