Hello, new to the forum. Would appreciate assistance with the attached lighting and outlet schematic (pdf). For now, I am only concentrating on the appropriate wiring diagram for the items highlighted in yellow on diagram. Essentially the circuit comprises 2 3 way dimmer switches, 6 recessed can lights (using a 50watt par 30 bulb in each fixture), and 5 duplex outlets. Power would come in to this circuit via 12/2 on the east side of the diagram into the first 3 way dimmer switch, then proceed onto the outlets and fixtures from there. Confused as to where to use 12/2 & 12/3 wire respectively. Any help or insight is appreciated greatly. 15 amp circuit planned, should be well under 80% max circuit capacity even if all outlests in use pulling up to 1.5 amps each.

Anyway, if possible to look at diagram and let me know, I would appreciate it! My email is r2schulte at Yahoo if I can email this diagram direct to you in ms visio format! Thanks! :)

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Originally Posted by r2schulte

Hello, new to the forum. Would appreciate assistance with the attached lighting and outlet schematic (pdf). For now, i am only concentrating on the appropriate wiring diagram for the items highlighted in yellow on diagram. Essentially the circuit is comprised of 2 3 way dimmer switches, 6 recessed can lights (using a 50watt par 30 bulb in each fixture), and 5 duplex outlets. Power would come in to this circuit via 12/2 on the east side of the diagram into the first 3 way dimmer switch, then proceed onto the outlets and fixtures from there. Confused as to where to use 12/2 & 12/3 wire respectively. Any help or insight is appreciated greatly. 15 amp circuit planned, should be well under 80% max circuit capacity even if all outlests in use pulling up to 1.5 amps each.

Anyway, if possible to look at diagram and let me know, i would appreciate it! my email is r2schulte at yahoo if i can email this diagram direct to you in ms visio format! thanks! :)

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WHOOPS. Sorry UPDATED DIAGRAM ATTACHED REFLECTING YELLOW ITEMS mentioned above...

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Originally Posted by r2schulte

Hello, new to the forum. Would appreciate assistance with the attached lighting and outlet schematic (pdf). For now, i am only concentrating on the appropriate wiring diagram for the items highlighted in yellow on diagram. Essentially the circuit is comprised of 2 3 way dimmer switches, 6 recessed can lights (using a 50watt par 30 bulb in each fixture), and 5 duplex outlets. Power would come in to this circuit via 12/2 on the east side of the diagram into the first 3 way dimmer switch, then proceed onto the outlets and fixtures from there. Confused as to where to use 12/2 & 12/3 wire respectively. Any help or insight is appreciated greatly. 15 amp circuit planned, should be well under 80% max circuit capacity even if all outlests in use pulling up to 1.5 amps each. :)

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First a few questions/comments:

- WHY #12 if this is a 15A circuit? If you are using #12, use a 20A breaker. Why waste a potential 5 amps worth of circuit capacity.

- There is no "80% rule". In a residential setting there is no limit to number of lights or receptacles on a circuit. This is a very common misconception/misinterpretation. Just use common sense when wiring, taking into account how the circuit will be used.


There is no stock diagram. If someone wants to draw one that is about it.
There are also MANY different way to sire a circuit like this, and very few are actually wrong.

Depending on the physical layout, I would loop around to all the receptacles, then hit one 3-ways switch, all with 2-wire.
Then run 3-wire between the switches.
Then run a 2-wire from the second 3-way up to the lights, and 2-wire from light-to-light.

Awesome. Thank you for your reply sir. I do have plenty of space, so I will make it a 20 amp circuit. I was given a lot of 12, that is why I am using 12.

Appreciate your time, based off your response I am assuming I run 12/2 off the first 3 way switch to the first duplex receptacle and then 12/2 to each outlet thereafter in the chain terminating at the outlet on the north wall. Then also from the first 3 way switch run 12/3 between that switch and the other 3 way switch. Then finally run 12/2 from the OTHER 3 way switch to the first recessed can light and then 12/2 daisy chain the other 5 recessed cans. Thanks again sir! When I get ready for the rest of the diagram, I will seek your assitance again! Thanks so much.

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Originally Posted by stanfortyman

First a few questions/comments:

- WHY #12 if this is a 15A circuit? If you are using #12, use a 20A breaker. Why waste a potential 5 amps worth of circuit capacity.

- There is no "80% rule". In a residential setting there is no limit to number of lights or receptacles on a circuit. This is a very common misconception/misinterpretation. Just use common sense when wiring, taking into account how the circuit will be used.


There is no stock diagram. If someone wants to draw one that is about it.
There are also MANY different way to sire a circuit like this, and very few are actually wrong.

Depending on the physical layout, I would loop around to all the receptacles, then hit one 3-ways switch, all with 2-wire.
Then run 3-wire between the switches.
Then run a 2-wire from the second 3-way up to the lights, and 2-wire from light-to-light.

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Awesome. You guys are very cool and I appreciate your time. I originally tried asking my questions on another board/forum. Electriciantalk.com or something. They were all laughing at me and saying since I was not a licensed electrician I needed to get off the forum. Anyway, I appreciate you guys helping as I ran into a brick wall on the other forum. I am about half way done with the wiring (getting ready to run the 12/3 through the ceiling next). Will definitely see your guy's advice tomorrow when I start to tackle the kitchen circuits. I am just doing the wiring, I am going to have licensed electrician hook up to bus bar and switches when I am done. Got a homeowners permit so I am preparing for my rough in inspection. Have a great weekend!

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Originally Posted by hkstroud

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Glad you got it figured out.

Just so you know, there are several sites, like mikeholt.com for instance, that are for trade professionals only. They do not allow DIY type questions. Don't take it personally if you were asked to leave. It was probably just their policy.

What is not clear, to me anyway, is if this is residential or commercial. Each may have requirements that are not necessary for the other.

Resedential. Essentially the right side of the drawing is the den and left side is a kitchen remodel we are doing. I am running the dedicated range and microwave circuits today. Hopefully have time for the lighting and gfci in the kitchen as well! Thanks,

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Originally Posted by tkrussell

What is not clear, to me anyways, is if this is residential or commercial. Each may have requirements that are not necessary for the other.

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[QUOTE=r2schulte;2050492]Residential. Essentially the right side of the drawing is the den and left side is a kitchen remodel we are doing. I am running the dedicated range and microwave circuits today. Hopefully have time for the lighting and gfci in the kitchen as well! Thanks,[/QUOTE