Taking 4 pot lights on 1 switch, to 2 switches?

[Leeboy20]

I have 4 pot lights in my living room and they are wired to 1 switch to turn all 4 on. The 2 above my couch are fine, but the other 2 above my TV are blinding me. I was going to buy one of those switches that are a single poll with 2 small switches on it. Can someone draw me or explain the best way to do this? Thanks

 

[pattenp]

Without knowing how the wire is run to the lights it's impossible to tell you how to do. Most likely you cannot split the lights between two switches without doing some rewiring.

 

[Leeboy20]

Im not a very good drawer but i did my best for now. Here is how it was done.

 

[tfi racing]

You will need to run another conductor(in this case likely 14/2 NMD90) from the switch up to the potlights if you want to split them up,then you can use one of those goofy split switches.I suggest putting them on a dimmer instead or changing the style of trim,if you are not adept at fishing cable into your attic space.

 

[pattenp]

You either need to run an additional piece of 2 conductor NM from the switch box to the first pot light or replace the first piece of 2 conductor NM from the switch box to the first pot light with a piece of 3 conductor NM.

 

[Leeboy20]

I think i changed my mind with that 2 switch single pole..... I would like to add a separate switch for the 2 lights now. The wall i want the switch on is right near the 2 lights with very easy access in the attic to drill the top stud to feed a wire down the wall. Same process?

 

[eljefino]

You want to find out if power goes to the lights then a switch leg goes off to your switch or if power goes to your existing switch then the lights only ever see switched power.

You'll want to find the "master pot light" which feeds the rest of them to make this determination. Probably physically closest to the switch, but maybe closest to the power source.

But just the same, it will be easy in the attic to find power to tap into. Try and keep it the same circuit, naturally.

 

[Leeboy20]

I have a line comming straight from the panel to the one electrical outlet. ( only thing on that circuit) Then they added the switch right above it. The neutrals are shared and the power wire is split on the switch. The main junction is the first light in my picture in the top left. I would like to leave the switch on the bottom two lights and add a second/seperate switch for the top 2. Easy access to everything .