[727driver]

Hello,

I am starting to add some florescent lights to my unfinished basement.

i am installing about 8 - 10 fixtures (two 32watt T8 bulbs/fixture)in 4 separate areas of the basement and would like the areas on separate switches. My plan is to do the following:

Use 14/2 600v wire
Install a new 15 amp CB and run a line from it to the 4 gang box
Run a line from each switch to each junction box for each light group
Run a line from each light to the appropriate group junction box and tie all the white / black / and grounds together respectively withing the junction box.

Is this correct?

How do I share the power in the 4 gang box?

In the 4 gang box I plan on tie all the whites together and all the grounds together. If my thinking is correct I can pig tail the black feed to each of the switches.

Is my thinking correct?

 

[Gigs]

What you propose sounds like it would work, but I think you are making it overly complicated.

Can you draw a picture of what you want to do?

 

[300zx]

How do I share the power in the 4 gang box?

In the 4 gang box I plan on tie all the whites together and all the grounds together. If my thinking is correct I can pig tail the black feed to each of the switches.

Is my thinking correct?

Yes your thinking is correct. You can pig tail the black feed to each of the switches.And your switch leg(Black going to lights) on the other part of each switch.

 

[jbberns]

If you run on 14/2 to each switch either the black or the white will be a switch leg or a hot. So one white will make up with a black or blacks.

 

[300zx]

If you run on 14/2 to each switch either the black or the white will be a switch leg or a hot. So one white will make up with a black or blacks.

I think that would confuse a person with no electrical exp.:yes:

 

[727driver]

If you run on 14/2 to each switch either the black or the white will be a switch leg or a hot. So one white will make up with a black or blacks.

I am fairly handy around the house but as stated in the previous post I am not an electrican. I understand simple circuits, 3 way switches, and the service panel layouts but that is far as it goes right now.

I would need to see a picuture with a more detailed explanation to undertand eactly what you are getting at.

 

[jbberns]

Are you running one cable two your switch or two? Not trying to confuse you, but don't want you to end up with a short.

 

[300zx]

http://www.wiringhelp.com/electrical/electrical-how-to/how-to-wire-a-switch.html Look at second switch setup:yes:

 

[300zx]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLPDl3o59iQ Video How to wire a switch

 

[rusty baker]

I'm not an electrician, but I have wired my house and shop. Wouldn't they be better off to use 12-2?

 

[jbberns]

15 amp breaker 14/2 is good enough. Unless he decides to add a bunch more lights!

 

[727driver]

Are you running one cable two your switch or two? Not trying to confuse you, but don't want you to end up with a short.

There is 1 common feed for all 4 switches. Then one line going out to the first light in each group.

I'm not an electrician, but I have wired my house and shop. Wouldn't they be better off to use 12-2?

14/2 is what was used throughout the entire house when it was built. I am also not installing any 20 AMP circuits. I believe 12/2 would be required for 20 amp circuits. Just my novice .02 worth though.

 

[jbberns]

Do you understand the picture 300zx posted? That is what I'm talking about. From your 4 square box to the switch.

 

[727driver]

Do you understand the picture 300zx posted? That is what I'm talking about. From your 4 square box to the switch.

No It isn't making sense right now...I will have to think about it some more. According the picture the feed is run to the light first. If this is the case how do I power the lights in the other areas? Am I still using a pig tail in the gang box?

 

[300zx]

Power(feed) at light run one wire to swich on switch put black on one screw and white on the other(mark white black) and bare on ground then put switch in.At light your feed(power) white goes to nutral on fixture.Black from switch goes on fiture black .White from switch (color it black with marker) goes to black(feed) Just wire it the most common way to be safe (Power at switch then run your switch legs)

 

[KeithM62948]

@300:
His power feed is coming to his switches first -- he said 4 gang, not 4 square.

@727
You were correct in your original post. You just need to pigtail 4 short lengths of wire to the hot feed for each of your switches or, if they have backwire terminals, feed to one and then use your short lengths as jumpers, in which case you would only need three jumpers.

 

[jbberns]

Use 14/2 600v wire
Install a new 15 amp CB and run a line from it to the 4 gang box
Run a line from each switch to each junction box for each light group

Sorry to confuse you. I misread it. Just pigtail out four hots, one to each switch.

 

[300zx]

Yes your thinking is correct. You can pig tail the black feed to each of the switches.And your switch leg(Black going to lights) on the other part of each switch.

Post #3 KeithM62948 read thread first:yes:

 

[KeithM62948]

I did read the whole thread. You were right in post #3, but by post #8, you had apparently changed your mind & referred the OP to a diagram for creating a switch loop, and in #15, you describe both options. On RE-reading the whole thread, I do note that it was not you but jbberns that referenced the box as 4 square, so I apologize for that misattribution.

 

[300zx]

No problem :thumbsup:,I told him to wire it the correct way (power at switch)Op wanted to know how to wire the other way. I think jbberns confused op .

I think that would confuse a person with no electrical exp.:yes: