Power->Light->Switch->Light

[BentBierz]

Hello,

I am rewiring my steel building and it would be advantageous to run line power into an outdoor light j-box on the right front side of my building, on to a switch by the man door and then to another light on the left front side. I have put in a solid 3-4 hours of internet searching and I can find diagrams for pretty much every situation except for what I am wanting to do. In fact, I have found diagrams for three-way switch circuits that would work for my situation but I don’t need two switches for these particular lights. I do a lot of wiring on my two steel buildings and my primary residence but I’ll be damned if light circuits don’t always trip me up. If anyone has a diagram for power into light, on to a single switch, and then on to another light, I would be very much appreciative. Thanks.

 

[jeffmattero76]

Newer code now requires a neutral at every switch location. Therefore, bring your incoming power to switch one. Connect the incoming black to the bottom of the switch (it doesn't really matter, but I always wire the incoming to the bottom terminal). Then connect the black that feeds the first fixture to the top terminal of the switch. In that switch box, connect the two white wires with a wirenut. At the box for the first luminaire, you will have the cable coming from the switch, and the cable running to luminaire #2. Connect the tso black romex wires to the luminaires black wire, and do the same for the white wires. At the box for the second luminaire, connect the romex black to the luminaire black, and the luminaire white to the romex white.

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[jeffmattero76]

If you MUST run to the outdoor luminaire box first, you would just connect that to another piece of romex that runs to the switch. Then follow the above directions.

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[teamextreme]

Newer code now requires a neutral at every switch location. Therefore, bring your incoming power to switch one.

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Correct, the neutral has to be in the switch box, BUT, that doesn't mean you have to bring power to the switch first. There's no problem running to the fixture first, then to the switch, then to other boxes. You just have to run 12-3 between the first fixture and switch. The red will be the switch leg back to the fixture. The neutral will still be present in the switch box.

 

[alfredeneuman]

The Code for a neutral wire at the switch location doesn't apply to wiring in conduit, or if the line could be added later, such as fishing the wire to the switch box.

 

[exranger06]

I'm assuming the one switch controls both light fixtures?
Run the feed to the 1st fixture - you just need a hot leg and neutral, so Romex 14/2 or 12/2 cable, or individual conductors in conduit.
Run 3 conductors or 14/3 or 12/3 Romex from 1st fixture to switch
Run 2 conductors (or 14/2 or 12/2) from switch to 2nd fixture.

In 1st fixture- take the black wire that goes from the light to the switch and wire-nut it to the black feed wire - don't connect it to the light fixture.
Connect the two neutrals together and make a pigtail to connect the neutral to the light fixture.
Connect red "switched" wire to light fixture.

At the switch- Connect black "always hot" wire to switch.
Take the red wire that goes back to the 1st fixture, the red or black wire that goes to the 2nd fixture and connect them together and make a pigtail to connect them both to the other screw on the switch.
You'll have two white neutral wires - one that goes back to the 1st fixture, and one that continues to 2nd fixture. Wire-nut them together; don't connect them to the switch.

At the 2nd light fixture- simply connect the neutral and the switched hot leg to the fixture. Done.

And of course connect the ground wires at all fixtures and switch.

 

[BentBierz]

Newer code now requires a neutral at every switch location. Therefore, bring your incoming power to switch one. Connect the incoming black to the bottom of the switch (it doesn't really matter, but I always wire the incoming to the bottom terminal). Then connect the black that feeds the first fixture to the top terminal of the switch. In that switch box, connect the two white wires with a wirenut. At the box for the first luminaire, you will have the cable coming from the switch, and the cable running to luminaire #2. Connect the tso black romex wires to the luminaires black wire, and do the same for the white wires. At the box for the second luminaire, connect the romex black to the luminaire black, and the luminaire white to the romex white.

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Hello..thanks for the info but I was primarily asking for info on bringing power into one light, on to a switch, and then to a second light.

 

[BentBierz]

If you MUST run to the outdoor luminaire box first, you would just connect that to another piece of romex that runs to the switch. Then follow the above directions.

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Sorry...responded to your previous post before I saw this one. Thanks for the info.

 

[BentBierz]

The Code for a neutral wire at the switch location doesn't apply to wiring in conduit, or if the line could be added later, such as fishing the wire to the switch box.

Interesting...I didn't realize this but it is good to know...while pulling wire I am going to pull a white to neutral to the switch box anyway just to be done with it so I don't have to do it later.

 

[BentBierz]

I'm assuming the one switch controls both light fixtures?
Run the feed to the 1st fixture - you just need a hot leg and neutral, so Romex 14/2 or 12/2 cable, or individual conductors in conduit.
Run 3 conductors or 14/3 or 12/3 Romex from 1st fixture to switch
Run 2 conductors (or 14/2 or 12/2) from switch to 2nd fixture.

In 1st fixture- take the black wire that goes from the light to the switch and wire-nut it to the black feed wire - don't connect it to the light fixture.
Connect the two neutrals together and make a pigtail to connect the neutral to the light fixture.
Connect red "switched" wire to light fixture.

At the switch- Connect black "always hot" wire to switch.
Take the red wire that goes back to the 1st fixture, the red or black wire that goes to the 2nd fixture and connect them together and make a pigtail to connect them both to the other screw on the switch.
You'll have two white neutral wires - one that goes back to the 1st fixture, and one that continues to 2nd fixture. Wire-nut them together; don't connect them to the switch.

At the 2nd light fixture- simply connect the neutral and the switched hot leg to the fixture. Done.

And of course connect the ground wires at all fixtures and switch.

Thanks for the info! As I am more of a visual person, I should be able to take your great description above and draw it out so that I get it all connected correctly. BTW...pulling separate THHN in my buildings...have completely stayed away from Romex to cut down on any potential rodent issues.