Multiple lights and switches on one circuit

Straightgrain · 03-30-2009, 07:29 AM

Good morning everyone!

Can you have a new AFCI lighting circuit with multiple fixtures and switches on the that one circuit. In other words, from the panel have for example in adjacent rooms three lights controlled by one switch (2-way), then another light controlled by two switches (3-way), then five lights controlled by one switch (2-way), etc. Basically a series of lights (2-way and 3-way) controlled by different switches all on one circuit?
How would you do that?

Trying to keep my basement lighting on it's own circuit while coming reasonble close to comfortably maxing the wattage.

Thanks for any advice

jbfan · 03-30-2009, 07:35 AM

Take the power from the panel into the first switch. From that switch, run a cable to the fixture, and run a cable to the next switch you need power in. Continue this pattern untill you have power to all switches and fixtures.

joed · 03-30-2009, 09:05 AM

Sure you can. It is done all the time. You can even have receptacles on the circuit if you want.

Straightgrain · 03-30-2009, 11:05 AM

Thanks jbfan and joed.

Basement Man · 03-30-2009, 09:45 PM

This was a good question but I want to take it one step further for my project.

Can I run the power from the panel directly to a series of lights then to the switch.....then take power from that switch to run another run to the other lights and switches in the other room? Basically not run from the power to the switch and split the circuit to the other room. Just trying to be efficient with the use of wire.

Thanks

joed · 03-31-2009, 08:34 AM

Sure you can. However you must run 14/3 cable between the lights and to the first switch.

03-30-2009, 07:29 AM	#1
Straightgrain Newbie Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 21	Multiple lights and switches on one circuit Good morning everyone! Can you have a new AFCI lighting circuit with multiple fixtures and switches on the that one circuit. In other words, from the panel have for example in adjacent rooms three lights controlled by one switch (2-way), then another light controlled by two switches (3-way), then five lights controlled by one switch (2-way), etc. Basically a series of lights (2-way and 3-way) controlled by different switches all on one circuit? How would you do that? Trying to keep my basement lighting on it's own circuit while coming reasonble close to comfortably maxing the wattage. Thanks for any advice

03-30-2009, 07:35 AM	#2
jbfan Electrical Contractor Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Newnan GA Posts: 5,078	Multiple lights and switches on one circuit Take the power from the panel into the first switch. From that switch, run a cable to the fixture, and run a cable to the next switch you need power in. Continue this pattern untill you have power to all switches and fixtures. __________________ Yes I am a Pirate, 200 years too late. "Jimmy Buffett"

03-30-2009, 09:05 AM	#3
joed Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Welland, Ontario Posts: 6,101	Multiple lights and switches on one circuit Sure you can. It is done all the time. You can even have receptacles on the circuit if you want.

03-30-2009, 11:05 AM	#4
Straightgrain Newbie Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 21	Multiple lights and switches on one circuit Thanks jbfan and joed.

03-30-2009, 09:45 PM	#5
Basement Man Newbie Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 7	Multiple lights and switches on one circuit This was a good question but I want to take it one step further for my project. Can I run the power from the panel directly to a series of lights then to the switch.....then take power from that switch to run another run to the other lights and switches in the other room? Basically not run from the power to the switch and split the circuit to the other room. Just trying to be efficient with the use of wire. Thanks

Multiple lights and switches on one circuit