[planetearth]

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMhYBFap0w4

I made a youtube video trying to explain this to my house builder dad but he doesn't get what I am talking about.

I am hooking up a single pole light switch.. it easier to just watch the video instead of typing out 6 paragraphs..
if this makes sense to anyone and will work, please let me know..

 

[oh'mike]

The power from the breaker should be conected to the white switch leg--tape both ends to identify it as a power.

Then the power to the light will be the black wire---and the neutral at the light will be white.

Ground must be sent to the switch box and the light --

A real electrician will be along soon---

 

[planetearth]

I do not think your understanding my question.
switch has 1 wire bundle coming from it.. black wire is connected to the bottom screw, white wire is connected to the top screw.. ground is connected to ground screw.. .

. knowing that refer back to the video..

 

[jbfan]

Do you need the junction box?

Best way is breaker to switch, then switch to light.

To wire it like you show, black from breaker to white from switch. White from breaker to white of light. Black from switch to black of light.
All grounds connected together, and to the box if it is metal.

Remark the white from the switch with black tape or a sharpie.

 

[planetearth]

yeah pretty much need the junction box.. the switch is already drywalled in..
switch is hooked up like this:
black wire connected to bottom screw,
white wire connected to top screw,
ground connected to ground screw..
.. then wire bundle from the switch goes up through the wall and into the ceiling..

I am just trying to figure out if I can wire up the light without having to run a whole new wire bundle to the switch.. using the junction box idea..

if I can do it like the video shows.. it would save me a big headache..

if I use my method in the video .. I wouldn't need the white and ground wires crammed up in the back of the switch box.. I can connect them in the junction box..

right?

 

[Msradell]

if I use my method in the video .. I wouldn't need the white and ground wires crammed up in the back of the switch box.. I can connect them in the junction box.. right?

Well sort of. According to the most recent editions of the code you're supposed to have a neutral and all switch boxes which you won't have. But, since the box is already existing and I'm guessing you are pulling a permit for this work it's not really necessary. What you are proposing will work fine and as you said be much easier.

 

[planetearth]

thanks for the wisdom on this..
I was thinking it was the same idea.. just not having the white neutral and ground going to the switch box.. just re-route them at the junction box.. and tag the switch white as black..

a lot easier then running new wire bundles for sure.. would hate to have to rip out everything and start over.. trying to save some money

much appreciated.. :vs_karate:

 

[Jim Port]

How do you not have a ground going to the switch box?

 

[planetearth]

I have a full wire bundle coming from the switch box.. black white and ground..
I have a full wire bundle coming from my panel breaker box black, white & ground..

at the switch box , ground wire is connected to the ground screw, black to the bottom screw white to the top screw..
going to the junction box..

at the junction box I am connecting black switch box wire to black breaker box wire.. that then turns my white switch box wire into a "black" wire...

then connect my converted white switch box wire to the light assembly black terminal.. ground the switch in the junction box to the other ground wires.. .. and connect my white breaker box wire to the light assembly white terminal.. all ground wires meet in the junction box..

right.. ? that works.. doesn't it..

 

[jbfan]

I have a full wire bundle coming from the switch box.. black white and ground..
I have a full wire bundle coming from my panel breaker box black, white & ground..

at the switch box , ground wire is connected to the ground screw, black to the bottom screw white to the top screw..
going to the junction box..

at the junction box I am connecting black switch box wire to black breaker box wire.. that then turns my white switch box wire into a "black" wire...

then connect my converted white switch box wire to the light assembly black terminal.. ground the switch in the junction box to the other ground wires.. .. and connect my white breaker box wire to the light assembly white terminal.. all ground wires meet in the junction box..

right.. ? that works.. doesn't it..

Code states that the black wire from the breaker connects to the white from the switch. This prevents confusion about which white wire is hot and which is neutral.