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    sawboss3's Avatar
    sawboss3 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jan 12, 2012, 07:11 PM
    Adding a second light to an existing circuit
    I am trying to add a light into an existing circuit. There is a light wired to a switch, and the light is at the bottom of my basement stairs. The new light is at the top of the stairs. I was thinking I could run the wire for the new light to the existing switch, which is at the top of the stairs. When I connected it up, the light at the bottom of the stairs lights up when the switch is on, but not the new light at the top of the stairs. When I turn the switch off, the new light at the top of the stairs comes on, and the light at the bottom goes off. I am obviously doing something wrong...
    Do I need to use a different kind of switch? Or maybe my wiring is incorrect?
    Thanks.
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #2

    Jan 12, 2012, 08:02 PM
    Almost certainly you have to run a wire to the other light.
    You cannot run one light from one switch and the other light to the other switch. It will not work.
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