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innkeeper9 · Jul 13, 2012, 11:05 AM

Hi,

I am new here. I am having a problem with how to connect the lights and switches. All I've done before is repair a switch on an existing light so all the wiring is there you just have to follow what was done.

I'll try to give you all the information so you know what I am doing. I have an existing 20amp breaker that is empty, nothing is on that breaker. The wire from the breaker comes out in a box in the laundry room. I am going to use that breaker to put in two outlets and two lights, a ceiling light and porch light. I have a combination switch single pole. One switch will turn on the porch light, the other the laundry room ceiling light, and the outlets are for the washer and gas dryer. Below is an image.[URL="http://support.milonic.com/ruth/room-diagram1.gif[/URL]

I only need to know how to wire the lights and that combination switch. Any help would be appreciated.

innkeeper9 · Jul 13, 2012, 11:08 AM

Sorry, here's the image.

hkstroud · Jul 13, 2012, 01:45 PM

Code requires at least one dedicated 20 amp circuit to a laundry area. That would be for the washer. You really should run one for the washer and one for the dryer and a third for the lights. These are both motor circuits and have a high amperage draw.
You can however call the dryer outlet a convenience outlet and take the lights off that circuit.

Look at the 2-in-1 switch. On one side the screw terminals will be connected with a metal tab. You can take your power to one of the screws on that side then take power from each of the screws on the other side for each light. Or you can remove the tab and make the two switches totally independent of each other. You would take power into each screw on one side and out the opposite screw to each light. You would do that if you are going to use a switch loop.

innkeeper9 · Jul 14, 2012, 02:55 PM

I appreciate the response. I did find an empty 20amp breaker in the box. That is there is nothing connected to it so I will swap out that with the 15amp, which also has nothing connected to it yet. For the time being I have no way to wire things except for what is already there and not financially able to have it done, so I'll have to do the GFCI washer outlet and then a 'convenience' outlet for the dryer. The washer pulls 10amps the dryer 6. Hopefully that should be OK since that is 80% of the 20amps. I'll just make sure I do the laundry during the daylight hours with no need for lights :)