When planning or renovating your home, do you want to connect several lamps to a single electrical supply? This intervention allows different light points to be switched on by activating a single control point.
If you have some knowledge of electricity and DIY, you can do this yourself. On condition that a few precautions are observed for a risk-free intervention and a 100% secure installation. How to prepare for this operation? How to wire multiple lights together? Take a look at the various steps required to connect several light points to a single control point.
What should be noted before connecting multiple lights to the switch?
Connecting multiple lamps to a single switch can be handy in improving the comfort and safety of any household electrical circuit. The operation makes it possible to reduce the number of switches while increasing the number of lighting sources. It is a great classic to create a new atmosphere and a more modern aesthetic.
Before starting work, it is necessary to comply with a few safety rules and standards.
#1. Security rules
First, make sure the power is off for safe handling. Manually turning off the switch is not enough. It is imperative to break the circuit on which you are going to intervene from the fuse on the electrical panel.
In some cases, especially with older installations, it can be difficult to identify the correct circuit. To avoid any risk, cut off the current from the main circuit breaker.
#2. Why connect several lamps to a switch?
This can be a solution if you do not want to multiply the control points and, above all, if you find that, anyway, you turn on all the lights in your room at the same time. If you can connect several lamps to the same switch, be aware that according to the NF C 15-100 standard, you cannot place more than 8 light points on the same 10A circuit breaker.
To find out more about which circuit breaker to install according to the cross-section of the conductors of the various electrical circuits in a home.
#3. What equipment to connect several lights to a switch?
To connect several lamps to the same control point, you must equip yourself with the right equipment. You will need these items:
- Wire cutters and strippers
- Screwdriver
- The lamps to connect that
- Wires in case of extension
- Wago or domino type connectors
- Junction box
Everything is in place, let’s see how to proceed to connect up to 8 lights on a single switch.
Some use dominoes, but the Wago offers better long-term support. It is a connection terminal with several inputs. 2, 3, 5, 8 inputs, your need is determined by the number of lamps to connect to your switch.
For your connection, it is advisable to make the connections in the same junction box.
#4. Connect several light points to a single control point
Power is off for safe handling. The necessary tools are available for intervention in compliance with the standards. Here are the steps to follow rigorously to connect different lamps to the same arrival.
How to wire multiple lights together?
The first and most important thing is to turn off the power to your entire home. Next, it is best to make sure that there is no current on the circuit you want to work on. To do this, use a voltage absence checker. We are never too careful with electricity.
#1. The stages of connection
- The Neutral (blue) wire is directly connected to a Wago in the junction box.
- From this, several Neutral wires are connected to the different lamps. Note that there are as many Neutral wires as there are light points.
- Then take another Wago terminal for the earth connection to the lamps.
- Finally, the lamp return (orange, black or purple color) connects your switch to the light points, via a Wago, also placed in the junction box.
#2. Parallel connection
The series connection is not suitable here. Admittedly simpler, it divides the intensity and thus produces weak lighting If a lamp does not work anymore, it is all the circuit that is stopped.
To create a new connection point in parallel, use a domino or a Wago type connector. After disassembling the switch, strip the wires if necessary. The neutral of the switch is connected to the neutral of the light point. The earth wires are to be connected. The phase of the source at one terminal of the switch, same thing for the phase of the lamp.
Wagoes or dominoes will make it possible to connect the wires by creating the number of branches necessary to connect the different light points. These two connection devices must be placed in a junction box.
The connection is complete. Reattach the plug and turn the power back on to verify that everything is working.
Some important information you need to know when wiring multiple lights together
How many spots can we plug together?
The NF C 15-100 standard imposes a total of 8 lighting points maximum per circuit (electrical circuit wired in 1.5mm2 and protected by a maximum 16A circuit breaker).
Which electric cable for Spot LED?
Be sure to check this point beforehand. Spotlights controlled by current: for spotlights controlled by current 700 mA, you also use a wire of 1.5 mm². This also applies in particular to other frequent currents, such as 350 mA and 500 mA, because the consumption of the LEDs is very low.
How to connect spots in series or parallel?
In a parallel connection, the current circuit remains intact and all other spots continue to operate. In the series connection, the current can no longer flow, and the other spots go out.
A recessed spot will be positioned in a rectilinear fashion in a corridor to maximize the light. In a living room, they are arranged inhomogeneous rectangles for a perfect aesthetic rendering. But in a kitchen, the recessed spots are positioned to have a well-lit work area, with no shadow area.
How to connect several luminaires?
The Neutral (blue) wire is directly connected to a Wago in the junction box. From this, several Neutral wires are connected to the different lamps. Note that there are as many Neutral wires as there are light points. Then take another Wago terminal for the earth connection to the lamps.
How to remove a spotlight from the ceiling?
Start by removing the spot to be replaced. This is held in the ceiling using springs that rest on the sides. Gently pull on the light, then locate the tabs on either side of the spot using your fingers.
How to fix LEDs to the ceiling?
Fixing: if your LED strip is intended to be placed on a cornice for mood lighting towards the ceiling, the fixing can be done double-sided. If it is placed on the ceiling, it is preferable to install the strip in an aluminum profile, in which you will clip the tape.
Which cable for interior lighting?
The HO7VU electric wire is the most used in domestic electrical installation. Indeed, it makes it possible to carry out the main circuits of a dwelling. For example, it is very practical for connecting wall sockets and lighting points.
Which cable for outdoor lighting?
For outdoor connections, R2V cable with a protective PVC jacket is excellent. Indeed, the electrical conductors of an electric cable must be made of solid copper. Their sections are variable from 1.5 to 25 mm².
What section of wire for 12 volts is direct?
Cable section 12V circuit, with a cable length of 6 meters round trip (3 meters between the 12-volt battery and the device to be supplied), a cable with a cross-section of 6 mm² is required.
What is a parallel connection?
In electricity, a parallel or bypass assembly in an electrical circuit is an arrangement in branches connected by common nodes. In the case of a two-terminal element, the parallel elements share a pair of nodes, three for a three-terminal element, and so on.
How to connect lights in series?
A series circuit with a battery and two lamps (no switch). In a series connection, the various electrical devices are connected one after the other: the generator, the switch, the first lamp, then the second lamp.
How to arrange the spots in a living room?
Living room / Lounge
- Position the spotlights above the table.
- Respect an inter-distance of around 1.50m between each spot.
- For aesthetic reasons, prefer to position your spots “inline” and preferably in an odd number.
Tips and tricks for a successful electrical installation
The electrical installation of a house is complex and requires a certain know-how. Whether you are in the context of a new construction or a renovation, it is important to ensure that it meets the standards in force to guarantee your safety and that of your loved ones and to maintain a good comfort level. A large part of domestic fires is caused by a faulty electrical source. We bring you tips and advice for your installation to be successful and meet safety standards. We also give you our recommendations for coordinating your sockets and switches to have a successful decoration!
Before starting work, you must first know all the elements that make up an electrical installation. Each element is important and you must be careful to be able to have them installed or renovated correctly.
#1. The electrical panel
It is truly the main organ of all electrical installations. It will indeed centralize all the electrical distribution of the home.
#2. The circuit breaker
It is an essential safety element for any good electrical installation. It will cut off the electricity in the event of a short circuit or overcurrent. Thus, if too many devices are operating at the same time, the power subscribed to your electricity supplier may be exceeded and cause a power cut.
#3. Sockets and switches
The electrical outlets will play theAbout role of connector used to connect the various devices to the network. The switches allow the manual opening and closing of the electric current. These elements have no safety role and must therefore be connected to a circuit breaker.
#4. Electrical wiring
The different electrical cabling will have the function of routing the current to the different rooms of your home.
#5. Switches and sockets, focus
Everyone thinks they know exactly what a switch is and what a socket is. Indeed, they are the most installed electrical devices in a house. However, before starting to get to the heart of the matter concerning the latest innovations in these connectors, a little clarification is needed.
At what height should sockets and switches be positioned?
Depending on the room, the recommended height of the power outlets should be between 0.05 and 1.30 meters from the ground. However, there are specificities to be taken into consideration for water features.
- For the kitchen: this room must have at least 6 sockets, 4 of which are located above the worktop. These must be placed at least 8 centimeters from it. In addition, if you are equipped with an extractor hood, the dedicated socket must be positioned above the stove or hobs, 1.80 meters from the ground.
- For the bathroom: the socket located near the lighting control must be at a height of between 0.90 and 1.30 meters in height.
Concerning Connect that the minimum height of the switches must be between 0.90 and 1.30 meters from the ground.
We are never too careful when it comes to our safety and that of our loved ones! Also, it is better to have your electrical installation checked by a professional to ensure that it still complies with the standards in force and that it does not represent any danger. An aging, badly maintained or faulty installation can indeed only cause more or less serious malfunctions but also and above all generate fires or other accidents such as electrocutions.
Note that even if you think you know about electricity, it is still better to entrust the overhaul of your equipment to a professional because only he can tell you whether or not your electrical installations represent a danger for your children.
Conclusion
The article shares with you the answer to the question How to wire multiple lights together. As can be seen, you can do it with the above method, which is both simple and easy to do, but it is important to note that when wiring yourself at home, you need to be very careful, always wear protective gear. and use tools to aid in better and correct wiring.
