electrical

lovedogne

I have an office that uses 240v for the florecent lights I want to add a track light that uses 120v. how can i do this and still use the same switch to turn the track lights on and off with the florecent lights

TimPa

if:
- a neutral is present at the light circuits, then 120v is available using one of the hot (black or red) wires with respect to the neutral (white) wire, and
- you are not exceeding the rating of the existing light switch circuit (e.g. switch & wires)
- would be good if you can split the new lights (half on one hot wire, half on the other) so as to balance the new light load

oberkc

I see how this would be done from a power standpoint, but is there a single switch generally available that would allow control of all three (240v, leg 1, leg2) sets of lights? Could you control this with a DPST-type switch?

TimPa

the op implied he had an existing light circuit he wished to add to, i assumed whatever method was in place for circuit control would remain(e.g circuit breaker - always on, or, he has some switch with intermediate contactor ?!?) good question. you're right a spst wouldn't be enough.

jbfan

If it is 240 volt lights, chances are he does not have neutral in the circuit!

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