how can I wire 3 switches to 3 different lights using 1 power source?

Question

I am looking at adding security lights to the outside of my house. As you walk in the back door I want a seris of switches 1 for the front light, 1 for the rear, and 1 for a carport light. how can this be done using 1 power source and what type of material would I need.

Answer 1

Run your 14-2 wire from circuit panel breaker to the first switch box and just keep wirenutting a power, neutral and ground from each switch box to the next and put a switch in line between a power...black wire...pigtail and each light--- use a common neutral..white wire and wirenut all the grounds together. Home centers or libraries carry books on basic wiring setups for a variety of circuits.

Answer 2

You can use that box to split the out the power provided that you do not enclose it in a wall or ceiling. You must have access to it and it must have a lid. A few howevers... 1) assuming you are using non-metallic cable (romax) I'd recommend using a plastic box. 2) in you second link it look like all three wires are heading for the same place a 3 gang box with 3 switches. If so, skip the extra box and split out in the wall box. 3) I'd use 12/2 (or 12/3) in all cases. That way if you needs expand, you can upgrade to a 20 amp breaker and add on as needed. Also, there is less heat in a 12/2 circuit. You can never go wrong with 12/2 4) on the three way light, you need 12/3 (or 14/3 if you don't agree with #3 above) from the switch to the light and from the light to the next switch. As for the 4 way switch, you can place it anywhere along the 12/3 that you want and it will work. The first and last switch should be 3 was and as many additional switches you may want should be 4 way switches. Good luck. Need more info, write back.

Answer 3

Wiring A Triple Light Switch

Answer 4

First, you need a circuit breaker in the fuse box that can handle the load of all 3 lights on at the same time. then you need the correct wire for that same load. the hardware store guy can help with that. next you run that wire from the breaker to all 3 switches. the white wire splits off and goes direct to all 3 fixtures. the black wire passes through the switch. and then to the fixture. in the fuse box the white wire is connected to the ground and the bare ground wire is also. All 3 fixtures must also be grounded. You will see the others when you look. if you have no experience you should have a licensed electrician do it. in short it can be done.

Answer 5

this would be a very long answer and specific to your layout and local codes.
essentially you bring the power from 1 new circuit to each light and then run an individual line from each light to a switch. 14 gage wire should be fine. montion lights are coomon in this situation.

there is no particular reason for using the same power circuit for lights on the back and front of your house

if you have no experience at electrical work then don't just jump into this. the main issues are saftey and making a mess of the interior and/or exterior of your house.

get a book and a friend to help you

Answer 6

There are triple switches that have three switches that fit into a single switch box instead of taking three switch boxes. You bring the supply wires into that box and attach the black wire to the "line" side of the triple switch. Then attach the white supply wire to the white wires of the three lights. Attach a black wire from each light to the load side of each switch.

Make sure that the box you are using is deep enough to hold all those wires (per the code about wires and cubic inches). Ask about that before you buy the box.