Light Switching Methods for Different Purposes

Installing Toggle Switch outside the Main Wiring Run

There several light switching methods for your different purposes. Firstly, you can use an ordinary toggle switch for installations outside the main wiring run. Begin by shutting off the electrical current at the main service panel or box. Then connect the black wire from the toggle switch to the black wire from the light fixture. Then connect the white wire from the toggle switch to the black wire from the power source. Take time and paint black the ends of the white wire that is connected to the power source. Then connect the white wire from the light fixture to the white wire from the power source.

At the light switch, screw in the black wire to one terminal and screw the white wire to the other terminal. The green screw is always for the ground wire.

Control of One Light with in-line switch

Take precautions and shut off all current at the main service panel. For this switch arrangement, a third wire color red must be added to the power cable. The red wire will serve as a black wire from the switch to the light or outlet which is to be controlled.

The white wire feeds continuously from the power source to all light fixtures. The black wire is then pigtailed on one terminal of the switch. The red wire on the other hand is attached to the other terminal. The black wire will then run uninterrupted to the light or outlet that is not controlled. The red wire on the other hand runs from the switch terminal to connect with the black wire on the controlled or switch light or outlet.

This arrangement will allow the switch to control the first light but electrical current will continue to the second fixture uninterrupted.

Installing a Convenient Outlet and Switch in the Same Box

Always shut off the current at the main service panel. Use a double switch box. Connect a pigtail to the brass terminal on the outlet and another pigtail to either of the terminals on the switch. Wire-nut together the black wire from the light fixture with the two pigtails. Then connect the white wire from the light fixture to the silver terminal on the outlet. Now you can connect the red wire from the light fixture to the other terminal on the switch.

Working at the light fixture, you can wire-nut together the white wires from light fixture, the power source and the switch. Then continue to wire-nut together the black wires from the switch and the power source. Then lastly, wire-nut together the black wire from the light fixture and the red wire from the switch.

Two Separate Lights Controlled by two Parallel Switches

Shut off electrical current at the main service panel. Working on the switch box, attach a pigtail to one of the terminals on switch 1. Then connect another pigtail to one terminal on switch 2. Then you can wire-nut together the two pigtails with the black wire from the light fixture.

Now you can connect the red wire from the light fixture to the other terminal on switch 1. Then connect the white wire from the light fixture to the other terminal on switch 2. Take time to paint the white wire black on its ends.

Working at light fixture 1, you can wire-nut the black wire from the power source and the black wire leading to light fixture 2 together. Then wire-nut together the white wires from the light fixture 1, the power source and light fixture 2. Next, wire-nut together the black wire from light fixture 1 and the red wire from light fixture 2.

Now work at light fixture 2. Wire-nut together the black wire from light fixture 1 and the black wire from the switches together. Then wire-nut together the white wires from light fixture 1 and light fixture 2. Continue to wire-nut together the red wire from switch 1 and the red wire from the light fixture 1. Then wire-nut together the white wire from switch 2 to the black wire from light fixture 2.

If doubtful about these light switching methods, consult a certified electrician before you do your project.