Multiple Fixtures On Switch Loop

KenHaynes

I'm having a problem with a switch loop and I got into a "discussion" with another contractor today about how electricity works.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't I be able to have 2 light fixtures on a switch loop?

He says no because you have no neutral. This first diagram is a basic switch loop that works fine in the bathroom I'm working on. Inside the light box the hot line-in is tied to the white wire to the switch (s/b coded hot). The switch sends power back to the fixture on black. So when the switch is closed, power is continuous from line to fixture, then tied to white/neutral back to GFCI.

I guess where we differ is he believes white/neutral is somehow different from black/hot. I believe that you need to create a closed circuit. I believe that if I ran black/hot directly to the fixture, then on to the switch and tied the neutral's, this would work exactly the same because when the switch is closed the circuit is complete. I also believe that light fixtures and switches have no polarity. Again, all they do is close or complete the circuit.

O = Attached to terminal or light fixture wire
X = Tied together in box

O---w---------------O O---b-------------O

O---b----------------X---w/h------------O

GFCI/LINE............. Light..................... Switch


So, here's my problem. When I add an additional light fixture to the switch loop, I get power at the new fixture, the second one in the loop, but the first one in the run doesn't work. My friend says it's because I'm only pulling black into the fixture. There's no neutral. I believe I could create a switch loop with 10 fixtures on it, tie all the white wires together and tie all of the black wires to the light fixtures and put a switch at the end. The only problem is, it doesn't matter what I believe, when I wire this the way I think it should work, it does not.



O-----w-----O O-----b--------O O-----b------O

O-----b------X-----w/h--------X-------------O

GFCI/LINE....Light.................. Light............ Switch



So, again, is it possible to wire more than 1 fixture into a switch loop? If so, how?

It's only important because it's a really old house with a drywall texture that will be fairly difficult to match. So I'm trying to avoid cutting any holes in it.

And by the way, I AM trying to get an electrician out to my job to take a look at it. But I'd really like to solve this problem myself, if I can.

macmikeman

I am a licenced electrician so you can take my advice on how to solve the problem. The solution is to do away with your reluctance to cut holes in your drywall. Cut some holes, post the pictures of them here, and based on your newfound willingness to cut holes and have patience while a real electrician comes out and charges you actual money for doing so, I will resolve your problem for you by sending you a proper diagram with instructions. But only if I see your pictures of the holes you cut in the drywall first.

Ed the Roofer

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