Wiring Question
Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 2:43 pm
I currently have a keypad dimmer, the main load of it controls a ceiling light (Light A, 65 watts). The ceiling light is the "end of the line" so only the neutral (white) and load (black) wires reach the ceiling light's box. The (blue) line/hot wire goes no further than the box into which the keypad dimmer is installed. It's all in conduit, which serves as the ground.
I'd like to install a second light (Light B, 20 watts) very close to the existing ceiling light, but want to control their brightness levels separately.
Anyone have thoughts on the two possible approaches:
Option 1:
Leave the keypad dimmer connected to Light A, pull a new, blue (line/hot) wire to the ceiling light's box, then connect an inline dimmer which will control Light B using the existing neutral (white) and the new line (blue) wires.
(The disadvantage is that I'd have pull the wire, which I haven't done)
Option 2:
But, I'm not an electrician and would like to avoid doing something regrettable.
I'd like to install a second light (Light B, 20 watts) very close to the existing ceiling light, but want to control their brightness levels separately.
Anyone have thoughts on the two possible approaches:
Option 1:
Leave the keypad dimmer connected to Light A, pull a new, blue (line/hot) wire to the ceiling light's box, then connect an inline dimmer which will control Light B using the existing neutral (white) and the new line (blue) wires.
(The disadvantage is that I'd have pull the wire, which I haven't done)
Option 2:
- Disconnect the black load wire from the keypad dimmer's red load wire and cap the red load wire;
Mark the black load wire as "HOT" on both ends and connect it to the blue wires in the junction box;
(Now, I'd have a hot wire and a neutral wire running through the conduit to the box at the ceiling light);
Use those two wires to connect two inline dimmers, one to Light A and the other to Light B
- No pulling of wires.
All the new wiring would be easy access.
I could just use Indigo to create a link between the current keypad dimmer and the new inline dimmer for Light A, then I could link Light B's inline dimmer to a different button on the keypad (or whatever).
I already have a couple inline dimmers that are not being used.
But, I'm not an electrician and would like to avoid doing something regrettable.