Expert: Don Beck - 12/1/2005

Question
what is the best way to wire three different things(one ceiling fan on it's own switch and two seperate sets of lights controlled on two seperate switches, ((not three way)) on one circuit? it is going to be a 15 amp breaker and 14-2 wiring. there will be a total of 11 lights and the ceiling fan on the one circuit so it should not be overloaded. should i just piggy back the wires from the panel as they come into the switch box to each seperate switch? can i just use a junction box for that then go to each switch so the switch box is not so crammed? is there an easier way to do it? thanks. brian

Answer
Hi Brian,

If this is a new istallation, having 3 switches in a 3 gang box should be no problem. Bring in a hot and neutral feeder, run 3 lines from this hot in, 1 for each switch.
A 3 gang box using 14/2 wire should be plenty big enough. Where most of the room gets used up is the romex isn't stripped back far enough when exposing the black and white wires.Strip the romex back as far as you can without going outside of the box.

Good Luck and Merry Christmas to you and yours,

Don Beck