How to Install Wiring for Garage Lighting
|
How Can Add a Light Fixture to the Existing Light? Electrical Wiring for Additional Light Fixtures.
© By: Dave Rongey
|
Wiring for Garage Light Fixtures
Electrical Question: How Can Add a Light Fixture to the Existing Light Fixture?
- I am installing 2 additional light fixtures (single bulb) in my garage.
- I only have attic access to one of the current light fixture boxes.
- Should I install the additional fixtures in series from the one I have access to, or in parallel? What is the difference? A diagram of how to install a pigtail properly would be great, too.
Thanks in advance for your help!!
This electrical wiring question came from: Dustin, a Homeowner from Collinsville, Oklahoma.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Dustin.
How to Install Electrical Wiring for Garage Light Fixtures
Application: Garage Electrical Wiring.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced. This electrical wiring project is best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Tools Required: Electricians Pouch of Hand Tools for Rough-In Wiring, Electric Drill and Auger Bits and Extension Cord.
Estimated Time: Depends on the extent of the project, the type of construction and available access to the project area.
Precaution: Any existing wiring in the immediate area that may interfere with the installation should be identified and turned OFF and Tagged.
Notice: Installing additional electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.
Electrical Wiring for a Garage Light
- Dustin, series and parallel wiring are often misunderstood because there are a few different applications where these methods are used. One is with the supply of electrical power, the other is the connections to electrical devices.
- When installing electrical wiring to provide power as a circuit and to devices such as outlets or light fixtures it is best to make the wire connections color to color, from the power source to the last outlet or light fixture.
- Home electrical wiring in the USA is not installed in a loop configuration, so when the wiring goes to the last outlet or light fixture that is where it ends. This is because the hot or in most cases the black wire provides the power in, the return path is provided by the white neutral wire, and the ground is provided for safety of the electrical wiring components.
Series Wiring Connections
- The reference to series connections of electrical devices is where the incoming and outgoing wiring is not spliced together, but rather attached to the device which is most commonly an outlet. This is not a recommended practice because the electrical circuit load is passed through every device which may cause a failure due to expansion and contraction of the metal device components when the circuit load is substantial.
- In this example of adding a garage light, the wiring would be installed from the existing garage light fixture and extended to the additional light fixture location, and the connections would follow as they are, color to color, as connected at the existing light fixture.
NOTE: As Always, install all electrical wiring with a permit through your local building department and have the wiring project inspected.
More about Garage Electrical Wiring
Pig Tail Wiring
- This example of pig tail wiring is using the parallel method of wiring where the connection is not made or run through the device. With this method of wiring is where the wiring connections are made color to color therefore the electrical circuit does not rely on the device, in fact if the device was removed the circuit would still be providing power.
How to Install Garage Electrical Wiring
Garage Electrical Wiring
- Fully Explained Photos and Wiring Diagrams for Garage Electrical Wiring with Code Requirements for most new or remodel projects.
The following may also be helpful for you:
A Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring
Be sure to get your copy of my BIG Book:
Perfect for Homeowners, Students and Electricians
Includes:
Home Electrical Wiring - Room by Room
120 Volt Circuits
240 Volt Circuits
Multi-Wired Circuits
Wiring Methods for Installing Home Electrical Circuit Wiring
Electrical Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.
|
Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.
Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right
|
The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!
The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!
The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets
Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency
Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included
Tests standard 3-wire outlets
UL Listed
Light indicates if wiring is incorrect
Very handy and easy to use.
Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!
The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..
The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.
|
Electrical Parts to Help You Wire it Right
Residential Electrical Parts and Accessories
Light Switches
120volt Outlets
Circuit Breakers
Electrician Tools
Voltage Testers
|
More about: Install for garage
Installing a Sub Panel for an Attached Garage Video
Installing Electrical Power to a Garage
How to Install Wiring for Garage Lighting
Installing Electrical Outlets in a Garage Workshop
Installing a Garage Electrical Circuit
Installing Electrical Power to a Shop from a Garage
Installing Garage Light Fixtures
What Size Sub-Panel Should I Install for My Garage?
- Installing a Sub Panel for an Attached Garage Video
I am Planning and Installing a Garage Sub Panel for my Home: I want to add a panel to my attached garage, what size circuit breaker do I need?
Top of List DIY Home Electrical Wiring Projects
- Installing Electrical Power to a Garage
How should I Wire a GFCI Circuit Breaker for my garage electric panel? Garage Electrical Wiring, How to Wire a GFCI Circuit Breaker.
Top of List DIY Home Electrical Wiring Projects
- How to Install Wiring for Garage Lighting
How Can Add a Light Fixture to the Existing Light? Electrical Wiring for Additional Light Fixtures.
Top of List DIY Home Electrical Wiring Projects
- Installing Electrical Outlets in a Garage Workshop
How many electric outlets can I have on the same circuit? Installing Circuit Wiring for Outlets in a Workshop Garage.
Top of List DIY Home Electrical Wiring Projects
- Installing a Garage Electrical Circuit
Installing Garage Electrical Wiring: Sizing Electrical Wire for a Garage Panel, What size wire should I run from my house to my garage?
Top of List DIY Home Electrical Wiring Projects
- Installing Electrical Power to a Shop from a Garage
Installing a Sub Panel to another Electric Panel: I have built a new shop close to my garage and would like to install a over head cable to the garage and for a new panel in the shop. How do I connect to the electrical power in the garage breaker box.
Top of List DIY Home Electrical Wiring Projects
- Installing Garage Light Fixtures
How to Install and Connect Garage Light Fixtures: Wiring Light Fixtures, Cords and Plugs, Light Fixture Clearance.
Top of List DIY Home Electrical Wiring Projects
- What Size Sub-Panel Should I Install for My Garage?
How to Install a Sub Panel for a Garage: Where to Begin when Installing a Sub Panel for a Garage, Planning for a Sub Panel, Identify the Sub Panel Circuits, Sizing a Garage Sub Panel, 120 Volt and 240 Volt Circuits, Planning for Future Circuits.
Top of List DIY Home Electrical Wiring Projects
|
