Small project

[mattstaco]

I am a new poster, but not new to the forum. Recently, I have been wiring up my garage to set up a woodworking/mechanic's shop. My question is, I have a circuit that I have several of my lights running on; I want to add an outdoor light that is controlled by a separate switch from the rest of the lights. I drew out what I want to do on my diagram. I am not sure if it is possible to do what I want, so any advice is appreciated. If you have any questions about my diagram, please ask. Also, the outlet in my diagram is where I have two of the lights running from. If there's a diagram of this out there, please let me know- I wasn't sure how to specifically search for this.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[2ManyProjects]

I am a new poster, but not new to the forum. Recently, I have been wiring up my garage to set up a woodworking/mechanic's shop. My question is, I have a circuit that I have several of my lights running on; I want to add an outdoor light that is controlled by a separate switch from the rest of the lights. I drew out what I want to do on my diagram. I am not sure if it is possible to do what I want,

Not as drawn anyway, at least presuming that you want the exterior light to operate (via its switch) regardless of the state of the outlet switch.

To do what (I think) you want, you need both switches to be fed directly from uninterrupted (i.e, NON-switched) power sources. This does not necessarily mean they need to be on separate circuits; but it's also OK if they are. The loads (i.e., the lights) are then fed from the switches.

Further, I would question the idea of having switched outlets in a garage, unless perhaps you're talking about duplexes in the ceiling dedicated to feeding plug-in fluorescent "shop lights", or similar -- and even then, there is surely a better way. Normally, the light fixtures would be hard-wired. If you're going to the effort and expense to re-wire the garage, do it right.

 

[pattenp]

You can use 2 conductor from panel to switch #1 box, then 4 conductor from switch #1 to outlet box, then 2 conductor from outlet box to the outdoor light box, then 3 conductor from outdoor light box to outdoor light switch #2.

Edit: The 3 conductor to the outdoor light switch #2 is needed because NEC requires a neutral at switch locations even if unused.

 

[2ManyProjects]

You can use 2 conductor from panel to switch #1 box, then 4 conductor from switch #1 to outlet box, then 2 conductor from outlet box to the outdoor light box, then 3 conductor from outdoor light box to outdoor light switch #2.

I agree that it COULD be done that way. But it would be much cleaner to feed the power to the switch locations first, then out to the load(s) from there. And since he is apparently wiring the garage from scratch anyway, it only makes sense to do it this way.

Edit: The 3 conductor to the outdoor light switch #2 is needed because NEC requires a neutral at switch locations even if unused.

Out of curiosity, when did that requirement come into effect? My early-'60s tract house lacks neutrals in several of the wall-switch boxes, which makes it "interesting" to install stuff like Insteon keypads and similar.

 

[pattenp]

Not 100% sure but I think the neutral at switch locations became code in 2008. There is an exception where if the neutral can be added easily such as pulling the neutral if the circuit is in conduit.

.....
Out of curiosity, when did that requirement come into effect? My early-'60s tract house lacks neutrals in several of the wall-switch boxes, which makes it "interesting" to install stuff like Insteon keypads and similar.