I am putting all my lighting on a single circuit, and have a question. The main feed from the panel to the lights first goes to a double gang switch, one switch controls the lights on half of the main room in the basement, the other controls the lights in the other half of the main room in the basement. Then I need the main feed to continue to three other switches in three other rooms in the basement. Do I just wire nut the black wired and wire nut the white wires, and continue running to the next switch. So if that is the case, then am I correct in saying that in the double gang switch I will have one wire nut with the ground wires, one wire nut with 4 black wires, and one wire nut with 4 white wires? Please help with this matter, I want to do this correct, so my house doesn't burn down.By the way I am using 14/2 wire.
All the ground (Bare) wires go together,( if it's a metal box that you must wrap one of the wires around a screw to bond the box.) All four white wires go under one wire nut The black wire that goes one set of lights goes to one switch. The black wire that goes to the other set of light goes to the other switch The last two black wires (power from the panel and power to the other box) go under a wire nut with two other pieces of wire (pig tails) that go to the other screw on each switch respectively.
It sounds like you probably just need to do it as you suggest. However, if you have any doubts, then that is the time to get a qualified electrician involved. Are you sure that local code even allows you to wire?
Yes,this will work. The rule of thumb is to break the Black for lights and switches, and to keep the white wire pure (contiuous). I hope this helps. I know that wiring can get confusing trying to wire in more than one switch on a line, so good luck.
Yes you are basically correct. You must make sure you attach to the blacks before the existing switch so the existing switch doesn't turn off your new extended cicuit. All the whites (nuetral) and all the grounds (bare) go together. If you are useing #14 wire, you must be on a 15 amp cicuit. A 20 amp cicuit needs #12 wire. If you are in USA, of course you have the legal right to do wiring on your own home.
You are correct in the way you described your circuit and what you want to do. Like the other person mentioned, make sure you tap off the black wire before the existing switches and not after. You are correct, all the blacks in a wire nut, all the whites in another, and all the grounds in another. The other thing to consider is overloading the circuit. Figure on using 12 amps maximum out of your 15 amp circuit. That is a total of 1440 watts worth of lights. About 14, 100 watt incandescent bulbs. As long as your #14 wire is protected with a 15 amp circuit breaker, your connections are tight, and all the connections are in boxes, you won't burn the house down. Email if you need more advice.
