Slightly OT Light wiring

Joe Pro · Feb 24, 2009

I need some help, I have chased wire enough and an confused from so much thinking. I've decided that our upstairs lighting need rewired since it is still the old wire that just crumbles in your hands. I can access eaisly throuhg the attic. I will bring a 12/2 romex up from the box and start from there with a junction box.

Now as to how I should wire the lights, there are lights, 1 in each room, but one is and will be a chain pull light. Can I wire it like this ?

I figured a diagram would be better.

Paul from MI · Feb 24, 2009

Either way works just fine. Method where you run hot & neutral to light, then run hot to switch and back to light is called a "switch leg". The white wire in the switch leg is to be connected to the black wire of the feed, and is to be identified black at every point where it is visible.. Black wire of the switch leg should go to the light fixture.
I would use whichever method will use the least wire(depends on distances involved). Good luck, don't forget the grounding conductors from each fixture, switch and box.
Paul

buickddeere · Feb 24, 2009

Looks respectable.
Wire the neutral to the screw shell of a lamp fixture and the line to the center button.
Tie them grounds together at each box with a marrette.
You are even showing the live line coming into the top of the switch and the load leaving the bottom of the switch.

MarkB_MI · Feb 25, 2009

The key thing is to only switch the hot leg. Switches in neutrals are a no-no; it's not real clear from your picture whether or not you already know that.

Joe Pro · Feb 25, 2009

Yes if i power through the light, I would paint the white wire black on the ends.

david - or · Feb 25, 2009

In my opinion there is a slight advantage to running the incoming branch circuit cable to the switch first, then on to the light.

Namely, this gives you access to the neutral wire at the switch, which in turn enables you to use the full range of timers, lamp dimmers, or occupancy sensors should you ever want to.

MarkB_MI · Feb 25, 2009

If by "power through the light" you mean hook a hot wire to the light and switch the nuetral, then you missed my point. Regardless of the color, you should never switch the neutral. That leaves power to the light socket with the switch in the off position.

Slightly OT Light wiring

Joe Pro

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Paul from MI

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buickddeere

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MarkB_MI

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Joe Pro

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david - or

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MarkB_MI

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