how do i connect 3 diff. light switches to the main supple wire?

Question

3 different lights to a main wire

Answer 1

Do you want to control one light (or group of lights) from 3 different switch locations? Or are you talking about 3 seperate light circuits?

3 switches controlling a single light (or group of lights) is a "4-way light switch circuit" (I know - why "4-way" instead of "3-way" - ironically, one light controlled by 2 switches is a 3-way switch circuit). The wiring is a little too complicated to explain here - there are at least a dozen different ways to wire this kind of circuit - but here's a good web page that details the various options. Note that you'll need to buy two "3-way" switches, and one (or more) "4-way" switches (that's how they'll be labeled) - http://www.selfhelpandmore.com/switchoutlet/4way/

For a single-switch circuits, depending on the easiest way to access a power source, power can come into the switch and up to the box, or into the light first (common if you've got attic access above the room) and a "switch loop" runs down to the switch. Here's instructions for a single-switch circuit- http://www.selfhelpandmore.com/switchoutlet/basiclightswitch/

If you aren't familiar with the National Electrical Code and residential wiring practices, GET A RESIDENTIAL WIRING BOOK at your local hardware store (or even the library). There are a BUNCH of details involved that are way beyond what I could describe here, and the likely outcome of a botched job is ELECTROCUTION OR FIRE. Understand this very clearly -- if you screw up, you could kill yourself or your family!

Wiring a light switch is definitely a DIY'able project -- but you can't just make it up as you go. You MUST do your homework and familiarize yourself with the build code requirements and standard practices.

Answer 2

3 switches in the same box, right? Assuming everything is correct (and that could be a big assumption), wirenut all 4 whites (neutral) together. Wirenut all bare (grounds) with a fifth long piece (pigtail) and connect to the green screw of each switch. Take the black from the hot line in (you know which one this is, right) and attach it to one of the screws, or push into the back on some switches, on the first switch and jump a pigtail black to the next two switches. You can choose the top or bottom screw, just keep them all the same for order (I always put the hot to the bottom). Now you have three individual black wires to feed the lights. Attach one to each of the switches and that's it. There's usually an order of the switches that makes the most sense and you can swap these last three feeds later to get it if they aren't marked for you the first time. This is for three single-pole switches, if any are three-ways this gets more complicated.

Answer 3

How To Wire Three Switches

Answer 4

If you have three switches to control a light (or lights), you need 2 3-way switches at the beginning and end of the circuit, and a 4-way switch in the middle between them. The power can come in at either end of the switch group, and the light(s) can be at either end, too. Black and Decker has a great book out that has pictures of all the possible circuit styles. It is at http://www.amazon.ca/Black-Decker-Complete-Guide-Wiring/dp/0865734291
With this book and some help here, I just wired a large garage and passed the inspection yesterday with no trouble.

Answer 5

You will want to run them in parallel, not series.

Shut the breaker prior to any work on electric.

Your power line will have three wires; black (power or 'hot'), white (neutral or 'grounded neutral') and green (ground or 'earth').

From the hot wire, go to the switch. from the switch, go to the light. from the light, go to the neutral.

Repeat for the other lights.

Try to find a copy of Wiring Simplified, Wiring for Dummies, or other help book @ the library.

Answer 6

your question is too vague. 3 switches.. for how many circuits.
IE do you want 3 switches to control 1 light curcuit? Like 3 doors in and you want them all to be able to turn on and off the room light? or do you want a room with 3 different types of lighting each with it's own switch

Answer 7

Take the main power wire comming in and attatch (pig tail) three wires to it with a wire nut (probably a red) then connect the three wires to the switches.