Ok I have 12/2 20 amp breaker and wire I want to run an outlet and two pull chain lights off a switch what is the best way to wire this

I should also mention I had a single outlet run to a 20 amp breaker and it was the only thing on the breaker this is what I am using for the power source

Is there any thing else on the circuit? What is the feed going to energize first. Is your switch a single pole or a 3way switch which is a sister switch for operating light in two switch locations? Does the power come from the lights? Think of it like a river and the flow process think of it like this

Power to single pole switch splits there one split goes to light other goes to outlet

Power goes to outlet splits there then power to switch then to switch to lights

Power goes to the last lights of the series. Splits there and to outlet and switch.

You need to be very clear on power supply to what first and are the light in a series and not on a three way now or at the result.

Need more info please!

Nothing else on the circuit power runs to outlet then light to right then light to left then switch to the left of that and it is single switch not a 3way

This single 20 amp outlet is it to the panel box or right by it. If so the code is there must be a single dictated circuit ( outlet) off the panel box and nothing else on That circuit. To use that wolyd break electrical code. The switch. Is there just two wires in that switch box? Is one white and the other white ( breaking on the nuetral side) or one white painted black. Or just two black wires?

Not sure I understand what you mean but it was an outlet in my basemnt on the opposite wall of the panel and I followed the wire back to the panel and it was the only thing on the line so I want to snip the wire and use a junction box and wire as I've described

Wiring take a lot of words for a branch circuit. You can snip the wire and junction box it and then where are you trying to go to next? And the easiest route?

OK wired from junction box to the outlet then to light light switch... the outlet is in between the 2 lights basically

If the wire you snipped is closer to the light switch then split in the snip box and run a new line to the new outlet and another new line to light switch and then to lights.
Or run a feed from the snipped box to the outlet. And then up to the furthest light. Now in that furthest light away from switch you want to tie in the hots together and the neutrals together continue that feed to last light before switch In that light tie in the hots but run that neutral wire past the last light and that wire (white) goes to the switch. Now a white wire goes back up to that light from the switch and ties into the neutral that you first bypassed How that works is the new light switch breaks the circuit on the neutral side to complete the circuit for the lights. The lights will have active open hots in them and the neutral wire on the switch completes the circuit.

So from the jbox I run a line to the from jbox I run a line to the switch then the lights... I can't run from jbox to outlet then lights then switch?

Yes you can run from Junction box to outlet to lights and to switch
From new outlet go to furthest light and then to next light closest to switch In that last light don't wire the light neutral to the feed neutral you just ran to it. That light neutral from the light will go to the top of the switch screw. The neutral that's left form the feed to that light also goes to the switch on the bottom screws. Simply think of the neutral by the last light and switch as one big loop Your switch is what breaks the neutrals to get the last light neutral to work at the end of the circuit.

Is this true? Can you tell me where the code says this?

Codyman144 yes it is true here in Lancaster County Pa. Its must have a dedicated circuit to one duplex. In new we are required to attach this duplex to the breaker box or right by the panel box . Also a service disconnect must be installed within 5' of penetration of structure If the main breaker box is past that 5' service line or an Inspector will "NOT" sign off the breaker box for insp
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KZRX" I would suggest go to the big store and get a cheap wiring paperback book with good pictures. There are so many correct ways for basic wiring. A Single pole switch can break a circuit on the hot or the neutral If you do the river current and the loop wheel And the switch is a boat lock like a switch. That's the Tuff thing on complete circuit to in words. Basically all of the questions you asked is yes.

The power feed can go to lights first
Or the outlet first
Or switch first.
And all of these areas can be used as a junction box thing to supply the whatever and to split the power and run another feed or part of that same circuit
Is all based what's easier or cheaper or how far things are from each other.
Outlet will be the same basic wiring all lights will be the same except the last one on current disruption. The switch will use two hot wires or two neutral wires to break the current

Thanks 21boat (in Lancaster, PA) that clears it up. I was pretty sure this was not part of NEC.

OK thanks for the help

A light should not be controlled by switching the neutral. It should be controlled by switching the hot. 404.2 of the NEC covers switch connections if you care to look it up.

Sorry Tev. Your right We have so many old homes 1754 town I will switch brain to NEC Thanks for reminder.

No, it's not.

Yes you can run from junction box to outlet to switch No worries there.