How to connect multiple lamps with one cable (2 methods guide)
Content
How can you connect and control multiple lights at the same time? There are two methods you can use to connect multiple lights together: Daisy-Chaining and Home Run Configurations. In the Home Run method, all lights are connected directly to the switch, while in a daisy chain configuration, multiple lights are connected and then eventually connected to the switch. Both methods are viable. We'll cover each of them in detail later in this guide.
Quick Overview: To connect multiple lamps to a cable, you can use either daisy chain (the lamps will be connected in parallel) or the Home Run method. Daisy chaining involves connecting lamps in a daisy chain configuration and then finally to a switch, and if one lamp goes out, the others remain on. Home Run involves connecting the light directly to the switch.
Now let's focus on the basics of connecting a light switch before we start the process.
Light Switch Wiring - The Basics
It's good to understand the basics of a light switch before handling it. So, before we wire up our lights using the daisy chain methods or the Home Run method, we need to know the basics.
The 120-volt circuits that power light bulbs in a typical home have both ground and conductive wires. Hot wire black. It carries electricity to the power source from the load. other conductive wire is usually white; it closes the circuit, connecting the load to the power source.
The switch only has brass terminals for the ground wire because it breaks the hot leg of the circuit. The black wire from the source goes to one of the brass terminals, and the other black wire going to the luminaire must be connected to the second brass terminal (the load terminal). (1)
At this point you will have two white wires and a ground. Note that the return wire (the white wire from the load to the breaker) will bypass your breaker. What you need to do is connect the two white wires. You can do this by wrapping the bare ends of the wires around and screwing them onto the cap.
What are you doing with green or ground wire? Twist them together in the same way as the white wires. And then connect them to the green bolt or screw them to the switch. I recommend leaving one wire long so you can wind it around the terminal.
Now we will go ahead and connect the light on one cord in the following sections.
Method 1: Daisy Chain Method of Multiple Lights
Daisy chaining is a method of connecting multiple lights to a single cord or switch. This allows you to control linked lights with a single switch.
This type of connection is parallel, so if one of the associated LEDs goes out, the others remain on.
If you connect only one light source to the switch, there will be one hot wire in the light box with a white, black, and ground wire.
Take the white wire and connect it to the black wire from the light.
Go ahead and connect the white wire on the fixture to the white wire on the fixture box and finally connect the black wire to the ground wire.
For any accessory, you will need an extra cable in the accessory box. This additional cable must go to the luminaire. Run the extra cable through the attic and add the new black wire to the existing two black wires. (2)
Insert the twisted wire terminal into the cap. Do the same for ground and white wires. To add other lamps (light fixtures) to the luminaire, follow the same procedure as for adding a second lamp.
Method 2: Wiring the Home Run Switch
This method involves running the wires from the lights directly to a single switch. This method is suitable if the junction box is easily accessible and the fixture is temporary.
Follow the procedure below to connect a light to a single cable in a Home Run configuration:
- Connect each outgoing wire to a load terminal on the switch. Twist or wrap all black wires using the 6" spare wire.
- Then screw a compatible plug onto the splice.
- Connect the short wire to the load terminal. Do the same for the white and ground wires.
This method overloads the fixture's box, so a larger box is needed for a comfortable connection.
Take a look at some of our articles below.
- How to connect a chandelier with multiple bulbs
- How to test a light switch with a multimeter
- What color is the load wire
Recommendations
(1) Brass – https://www.thoughtco.com/brass-composition-and-properties-603729
(2) attic - https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/attic-insulation-types/
