garage light wiring help needed

[Tarheel Slim]

Im looking for ideas to hang some plug in type lights from my garage ceiling,I need pictures or input as to how to wire up 8 plug receptacles to my ceiling for my lights,i would have a 2 gang switch for 2 lights,and on the same circuit i would like to have a 3 gang switch that works 6 lights, 2 per switch.Can i do this using mostly 14-2 wire thats going to be on a 15 amp breaker,where is the 14-3 used in this ?just at the 2 and 3 gang switches,will try to sketch a drawing up of what im trying to do here,thanks.

 

[matt_i]

I'm not sure if the "gang" means "way"...

In my technical vocabulary, gang refers to how many devices can go into a box..."double gang" means two switches, two outlets, or one of each, etc.

However on a single pole switch controlling a load, it would be a "2 way". With two switches controlling the same load (each can turn on or off independently), that's a "3 way".

The red and black of 14-3 are used as the "travelers" connecting the the two separate 3-way switches. There are several ways to wire the circuit, but the easiest to understand, in my thinking has the hot leg/120vac input power on one of the common (black) screws and the electrical load connected to the other common screw. Group all the neutrals and group all of the grounds and you are ready to go.

 

[tfi racing]

Five switches for eight lights is just silly.Less is simpler,and usually better.

 

[AntonLargiader]

Five switches for eight lights is just silly.Less is simpler,and usually better.

I don't think the number of lights is really significant. If you have three doors you probably want three switches even if you just have one fixture.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Im looking for ideas to hang some plug in type lights from my garage ceiling,I need pictures or input as to how to wire up 8 plug receptacles to my ceiling for my lights,i would have a 2 gang switch for 2 lights,and on the same circuit i would like to have a 3 gang switch that works 6 lights, 2 per switch.Can i do this using mostly 14-2 wire thats going to be on a 15 amp breaker,where is the 14-3 used in this ?just at the 2 and 3 gang switches,will try to sketch a drawing up of what im trying to do here,thanks.

Did u mean way instead of gang?

Theres no such thing as a 2 way switch- only singe pole, 3 way and 4 way switches.

Or by gang did u mean 2 or 3 switches in one yoke?

U can wire multiple lights to a single pole switch by splicing the hots together.

In your case you would just daisy chain the outlets together.

It sounds like you want 4 switches which is a waste but u would need to run quite a bit of wire to make it work....

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I don't think the number of lights is really significant. If you have three doors you probably want three switches even if you just have one fixture.

If i understood the OP he just wants a bunch of single pole switches to switch pairs of lights as he didnt mention switching from multiple locations...

 

[yeldogt]

I use those triple switches all the time -- especially for exterior lights at a door.