[cabinjunkie]

Hello Experts (and other DIY's):

I am wiring a new garage and have a pretty basic question that I cannot find the answer to, even in all my "beginner electrical" books.

On one circuit I have 2 lights. These are supposed to be independent lights and switches... BUT... right now switch number one (and light) have to be on for switch number two to work.

What I WANT is for switch 1 to control only light one. And switch 2 to control only light two.

Make sense???

Please help!

BOB

 

[Bob Mariani]

you need to bring power (the hot and neutral) to each switch. Run a wire from a power source to the first switch and then the next switch. Then from each switch run another wire to the light you want that switch to control. Tie the blacks to the switch terminals and splice the whites.

 

[joed]

We need a lot more info to tell you where you went wrong.
Are the switches in the same box?
If not in the same box, what cables are run between boxes and how are they connected to each other, the switches, the fixtures?
If in the same box same question, how are the wires connected?

 

[Stubbie]

Joe is right any advice at this point (given your instructions) would be a shot in the dark). We need to know how your existing wiring configuration is installed.

Answer Joes questions and this will be an easy fix.

 

[cabinjunkie]

Answers to Joe's questions

Yes they are in the same box.

Incoming wire is hooked to switch and outgoing hooked to switch (black to black, white to white and ground to ground) then carries on to light. Then light from light runs back down to second switch.

Second switch is wired liked the first, except no wires leave last light.

Hope I answered the questions.

 

[joed]

You need a three wire cable from the first switch to the first light.

 

[Stubbie]

Yes they are in the same box.

Incoming wire is hooked to switch and outgoing hooked to switch (black to black, white to white and ground to ground) then carries on to light. Then light from light runs back down to second switch.

Second switch is wired liked the first, except no wires leave last light.

Hope I answered the questions.

A second way to look at the diagram of Joes...take your pick both show the same thing only mines better......:wink:

 

[cabinjunkie]

Wire size??

Thanks for the diagrams... I will not get into which one I think is prettier... they were both helpful:thumbup:

I just need to make sure I got this right.... I am running 14/2 from my panel and in the example above, I run 14/3 from switch one to light one and then 14/2 from light one to switch 2 and 14/2 from switch 2 to light 2???

Where else would I need to run 3 wire???

 

[220/221]

I'm confused.:jester:

How many cables are in the switch box.