Discuss Two switches for set of lights? in the Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

Welcome to ElectriciansForums.net - The American Electrical Advice Forum
Head straight to the main forums to chat by click here:   American Electrical Advice Forum

Reaction score
0
Hello I have 10 spotlights in a room.

All 10 spotlights are operated by one switch.

I would like to split the spotlights into two sets.


First Switch to operate 5 of the spotlights.

Second Switch to operate the other 5 of the spotlights.


How easy or difficult is this to do? What sort of questions should I be asking myself for this?


Thank you.
 
you would need to know how it is currently wired to figure out how easy it would be.

the simplest way, and probably not the way its wired, is that there's a feed at the switch, and a switch wire going up to 5 lights, and another switch wire going to the other 5 with a neutral connection at the switch.

Age of house can sometimes give a clue as the standard ways of wiring lights changed over the years.

Older properties may have a central joint box... or there is a joint box accessible from popping out one of the downlights.
Whats above the room? another room, or attic?

However its done, you would need an extra core in the cable going to the switch to use as the second switchwire. Not always easy to add one in

There will be ways of doing it with smart switches or smart bulbs
 
It’s very unlikely that they have been wired the way you need for this to work. If they are switched together then most likely they all share the same switch line.

You can’t come to any conclusions until you get it surveyed by an electrician. But be prepared to start cutting holes in the ceiling and chasing out walls to run new cables in and the alter the existing wiring
 

Reply to Two switches for set of lights? in the Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Electrician Courses Green Electrical Goods PCB Way Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Pushfit Wire Connectors Electric Underfloor Heating Electrician Courses
These Official Forum Sponsors May Provide Discounts to Regular Forum Members - If you would like to sponsor us then CLICK HERE and post a thread with who you are, and we'll send you some stats etc

Electrical Forum

Welcome to the Electrical Forum at ElectriciansForums.net. The friendliest electrical forum online. General electrical questions and answers can be found in the electrical forum.
This website was designed, optimised and is hosted by Untold Media. Operating under the name Untold Media since 2001.
Back
Top
AdBlock Detected

We get it, advertisements are annoying!

Sure, ad-blocking software does a great job at blocking ads, but it also blocks useful features of our website. For the best site experience please disable your AdBlocker.

I've Disabled AdBlock