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Thread: How do I wire a switch, breaker, and two lights in a series circuit?

  1. #1
    Level 1 - Newbie machielk's Avatar
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    How do I wire a switch, breaker, and two lights in a series circuit?

    For construction class we have to wire a breaker, a light switch, and two lightbulbs (wire to the bases not directly to bulbs) and I have to do it in a SERIES circuit. I already did it in a parellel circuit and now I have to do it in a series so how do i do it. Diagrams are great. thanks
    I need it where if i unscrew one the other goes out. I know this is not the practical application but i have to do it for school.

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  3. #2
    Level 15 - A Legend benutzer's Avatar
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    Well you have already done the more difficult of the two. A series circuit is when the current only has only pathway to travel.
    Wire your hot wire from the circuit breaker to the switch, then from the switch to the first base, and from the first base to the second. Then just wire your neutral wire from the neutral bar or lug to the two bases.
    If I'm not mistaken, a parallel circuit would have to have two switch legs (wires coming from the switch) or more than one switch. I could
    not find a good 120v diagram,sorry.

  4. #3
    Level 15 - A Legend berni's Avatar
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    john has a good answer except that you cannot wire two lights in series and expect them to work properly. they will not have the proper current to light them to their rated wattage. as a practical matter, your breaker and switch should be in series with the two light bulbs, which would be in parallel with each other

  5. #4
    Level 7 - I know you and your Friends cyryl's Avatar
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    John is describing a parallel circuit. Ok wire from breaker to one side of switch then from other side of switch to one side of one lamp base then from other side of same lamp base to one side of second lamp base then wire a neutral from the other side of second lamp base to panel neutral.

  6. #5
    Level 7 - I know you and your Friends t1mothy's Avatar
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    A series circuit would have one wire of your power source going to one end of the circuit breaker, the other end of the circuit breaker would go to one end of the switch, the other end of the switch would go to one side of the 1st light bulb base, the other side of the base would go to one side of the base of the 2nd light bulb, the other side of the 2nd light bulb base would go to the other side of the power source.

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