Pinch Posted May 20, 2008 Report Share Posted May 20, 2008 I am trying to figure out a wiring problem but find I need a little help. Ill try and give as much information as I can here. It is a typical bathroom with one GFI plug, one fan controlled by a switch and one light controlled by a dimmer switch. There is a 12/3 wire from the dimmer switch (which controls the light) to the light. Then a 12/2 wire that runs from the light to the fan. The fan switch is pigtailed to the dimmer switch providing the power to the fan. What I need to do is change the single light to two separate lights being controlled by the single dimmer light switch. Does the 12/3 wire go to the first light, then the 12/2 wire to the second light, then the 12/2 on to the fan? Or do I need 12/3 to the first then 12/3 to the second, then 12/2 to the fan? Or am I completely out to lunch?!?! Any help would be great. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerritt Posted May 20, 2008 Report Share Posted May 20, 2008 (edited) Does the 12/3 wire go to the first light, then the 12/2 wire to the second light, then the 12/2 on to the fan? Or do I need 12/3 to the first then 12/3 to the second, then 12/2 to the fan? Regardless of how you do it... You need the 12/3 to go to the first light, 12/2 to the second and 12/2 to the fan... as you have two hot wires coming from the 12/3 wire G Edited May 20, 2008 by Gerritt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Posted May 20, 2008 Report Share Posted May 20, 2008 Run another 12/2 from the first light to the second light in parallel, IOW, tie black to black, white to white, NOT in series. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Posted May 20, 2008 Report Share Posted May 20, 2008 ... as you have two hot wires.. (red and White) G You ain't never wiring my house, white is neutral. 12/3 black & red are hot, white common, copper is ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerritt Posted May 20, 2008 Report Share Posted May 20, 2008 (edited) I corrected my mistake lol!! before you're post after I reread it LOL G Edited May 20, 2008 by Gerritt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Posted May 20, 2008 Report Share Posted May 20, 2008 ZOT...you're now forgiven.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldy Posted May 20, 2008 Report Share Posted May 20, 2008 (edited) 3 conductor from the switch to the first light, 2 conductor from the first light to the 2nd light , 2 conductor from the first light to the fan. (If the first light and the fan are staying in the same location then install a 2 conductor from the first light to the 2nd light) OR 3 conductor from the switch to the first light, 3 conductor from the first light to the 2nd light, 2 conductor from the 2nd light to the fan. Edited May 20, 2008 by Baldy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinch Posted May 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2008 Thats great guys, thanks for your help. I'm going to give a go tomorrow and see how I get on. Pinch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danc Posted May 20, 2008 Report Share Posted May 20, 2008 Up here, they're really cracking down on this kind of stuff. A journeyman electrician was killed here a while back because of some faulty home made wiring. Even on this small thread there's some discrepancy. Best get a pro to do it. He will have to take out permits and get the job inspected afterwards. Better safe that sorry, just to save a few bucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gbfisher Posted May 21, 2008 Report Share Posted May 21, 2008 Holy. For just adding a light to an existing wired bathroom you'd think it would be less than rocket science. lol... Just add a 12/2 or 14/2 to the existing light in the ceiling and run it to where you want the second light. Connect the wires....(what ever color they are,,, ,, ya never know about home electricians...lol) one to one from the old light to the new one. GEEEES. anyone have any rocket making advice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danc Posted May 21, 2008 Report Share Posted May 21, 2008 ya never know about home electricians...lol) one to one from the old light to the new one.GEEEES. anyone have any rocket making advice? My apologies. Please disregard my advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoriaRiverMan Posted May 21, 2008 Report Share Posted May 21, 2008 Ive been roasted several times Call a electrian if your not sure............ If you cant wire a light............you should not be touching anything..... faulty wire jobs cause fires!!! Fires cause deaths............ Deaths make people sad Get the point? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gbfisher Posted May 21, 2008 Report Share Posted May 21, 2008 You're right Danc, better safe than sorry!... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccmtcanada Posted May 21, 2008 Report Share Posted May 21, 2008 Dan...I'm with you. There are a few things I don't attempt if I'm not sure about something. One is electrical stuff....I know how to do basic stuff, but if I'm unsure, I get my buddy over to do it. The other thing is brakes on the car....I keep getting told they are easy, but until I learn how to do it properly, I'm not putting me or my family in jeopardy to save a few bucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muttfish Posted May 21, 2008 Report Share Posted May 21, 2008 faulty electrical jobs can kill, ask a firefighter, but ask your insurance agent who pays for the damages if there is a fire and nobody gets hurt, find yourself a legit electrician who will do it for cash, theres lots out there just make sure hes reputable, piece of mind will offset the cost of the job Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gbfisher Posted May 22, 2008 Report Share Posted May 22, 2008 (edited) Pm from Pinch. Wow thanks for you help there, it was really helpful. I just wish I was as smart as you!! not Your welcome any time yer in a Pinch Edited May 22, 2008 by gbfisher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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