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    mojovase's Avatar
    mojovase Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Dec 31, 2015, 04:55 PM
    Wiring two switches for two lights with one main feed
    I have three 14-2 wires coming into the box. One for each light and the third being the power source. I connected all three neutral wires together. I then added two black wires and pigtailed it to the main hot wire. Both black wires that were pigtailed were then screwed to the bottom of the single-pole switches.

    I then screwed one black wire to the top switch and did the same for the other switch. For some strange reason, I can not get one switch to work alone, as it will only work when the other switch is turned on. Can't figure out why that is happening.

    I figured maybe the hot wire should be on the top instead, but I ran into the same problem. Can't get one light to turn on unless the other light is on.

    Thanks.
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #2

    Dec 31, 2015, 05:40 PM
    I then added two black wires and pigtailed it to the main hot wire
    Can't get one light to turn on unless the other light is on.
    Because you are mistaken about which wire is the incoming hot.
    You connected the pig tails to a hot going to a light. You connected the incoming hot to one of the switches. The hot now comes to one of the switches, when the switch is on it goes through the switch to the second switch and to a light.

    Rewire.

    PS
    There is not difference in the switch screw terminals. The switch doesn't care which way the current goes through it.
    donf's Avatar
    donf Posts: 5,679, Reputation: 582
    Printers & Electronics Expert
    		  
    #3

    Jan 1, 2016, 06:57 AM
    Help me understand a little better.

    Where is the "box" that these three cables are coming into, ceiling or wall?

    Where are the switch outlet boxes in relation to the light outlet boxes?

    Are you trying to get both lights to operate from either of the two switches? If so, do you have two three way switches?

    Do you have any idea on how to wire three way switches?

    If each light is to be controlled by its own switch, do know how to install a switch loop?
    mojovase's Avatar
    mojovase Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Jan 1, 2016, 07:37 AM
    Thanks for HKStroud for the knock on my head, to get my brain firing a bit better. Apparently, I pigtailed the "hot" wire coming from the light, thinking that was the main feed. All is good now. Thanks.
    Missouri Bound's Avatar
    Missouri Bound Posts: 1,532, Reputation: 94
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    #5

    Jan 1, 2016, 12:25 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by mojovase View Post
    Thanks for HKStroud for the knock on my head, to get my brain firing a bit better. Apparently, I pigtailed the "hot" wire coming from the light, thinking that was the main feed. All is good now. Thanks.
    Did you get it working? There really isn't a "hot" wire coming FROM the light, but as long as you got it working... great.
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