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Need help with switch loop containing 2 fixtures

03:35PM | 11/21/99

Member Since: 11/20/99
2 lifetime posts

Need help with switch loop containing 2 fixtures

I have run a switch loop with 2 simple incandescent fixtures with a single pole switch at the end of the cable run (pwr. in----fixture----fixture----switch).

I cant get the thing to work. I used 2-wire cable. At first I ran the hot back from the switch through the fixture to the next fixture to neutral. Both lights were very dim and I realized my mistake.

I then ran another single wire between the two fixtures (making it a 3-wire segment)to use as the neutral from the first fixture, and then pigtailed the power from the switch to both the fixtures singularly. This didnt work at all. In fact, both fixtures were on dimly with the switch in the OFF position, and when the switch was on, only the second fixture back from the switch lit up.

Any ideas on what I am doing wrong? I would appreciate any advice, but especially any references where I could see a diagram of such a configuration.

Thanks,

John

BobF

02:18AM | 11/22/99

Member Since: 10/19/98
223 lifetime posts

First - if the light fixtures just have screws - pigtail a wire from the lights to the wires. Never put more than one wire under a screw!

Get a black marker or use black tape. Mark the color the ends of the white wire from the switch to the last fixture black. Do this so the next person to look will know that the white wire is HOT. Connect the blackened white to the switch and the light's black wire.

Connect the red (2nd hot wire) to this blackend white wire. This red is the hot lead for the first light.

Splice all black wires together.

Splice all non-blackened white wires together with the white leads from the lights. splice all grounds together.

The hot from the breaker goes straight to the switch. The blackened white sends power from switch to the second light. This power then goes to the other light via the red wire. The non-blackened white wires complete the loop back to the breaker.

harald

04:35PM | 11/22/99

Member Since: 11/20/99
2 lifetime posts

Thanks Bob.

Actually, though my post was not too clear, I have the circuit set up as you described. I have received some info from other boards that agrees with what you have said, and what I have done.

So, that leaves me searching for a short, faulty switch, damaged wire, or something just plain hooked up wrong that I am missing.

Ill recheck everything again. Thanks for the reply!

BobF

02:38AM | 11/23/99

Member Since: 10/19/98
223 lifetime posts

I prefer to hook my lights and outlets up in parallel, not series. If one goes bad, the others still function.