Light Fixture Question (adding one)

[Richard]

We added on to the house a number of years ago. During that time, they added a (hard wired) light over the garage.....however, it was wired to a dedicated switch up in the kitchen on the other side of the house. So, we left the switch on all the time and put a motion sensor light there.

Have since added to the house again and now, the wife wants a garage light (outdoor) to be switched right by the garage door. The OLD light is currently gone and the wires are sitting inside the house in a box.

So....thinking.... I said what if we got an outdoor fixture (and I think this is the start of the problem).... get an outdoor fixture with THREE bulbs on it (outdoor flood type). Take TWO of the sets of wires, hook them to the switch by the garage door. Take the THIRD bulb and wire it to the switch upstairs. Now, all the wires are accounted for and in use rather than just being buried & dead.

She does NOT want two different fixtures outside yet we now have two different power sources. (or will have once the switch by door is wired)

Personally, I like the idea of one fixture with three wires (hooked into two different circuits) BUT, the common sense part of me says that is probably in violation of some code since you'd have two sources of power coming into one fixture.

Thoughts?


Side comment.... it's sometimes very difficult working with her as she's VERY VERY aesthetics orientated...and having two different fixtures is "red neck and ugly".... can be frustrating at times so I'm trying to find a solution that will work with her visual needs and stay safe. Wiring a 3-bulb fixture onto two different switches (two bulbs to one switch, single bulb to the other switch) would be a perfect fix. Anyone know of such a fixture that would keep it legal?

 

[grsthegreat]

The easiest answer would be to get a wireless remote switch. you can add as many locations as you want. Amazon sells them, so do electrical supply houses. You leave the light source hot 100% of the time. The remote switches use batteries. Batteries last about 5 years.

your not supposed to have 2 power sources to one fixture. Someone may turn off the circuit thinking fixture is dead, but the other half is still supplied with power. I suppose a linked breaker would nullify the problem, but good luck isolating circuits.
I use wireless switches and dimmers all the time. Especially useful in adding 3 way and 4 way switching to old houses.

 

[5030]

Whatever you decide, go with LED. One, you will never replace a bulb, two, they run extremely cheap and 3, light output is fantastic.

 

[hube2]

... BUT, the common sense part of me says that is probably in violation of some code since you'd have two sources of power coming into one fixture...

Not necessarily. For example, in a new house here a kitchen is required to have 2 circuits for outlets, each on it's one GFI breaker. If you have an extremely small kitchen that only has one wall outlet (2 places for plugs) then the outlet is split and each side has a separate circuit.

It's been a while since I did electrical work, but the electric codes on this type of thing has more to do with the number of conductors in the box than the number of power sources.

StackPath

 

[grsthegreat]

Not necessarily. For example, in a new house here a kitchen is required to have 2 circuits for outlets, each on it's one GFI breaker. If you have an extremely small kitchen that only has one wall outlet (2 places for plugs) then the outlet is split and each side has a separate circuit.

It's been a while since I did electrical work, but the electric codes on this type of thing has more to do with the number of conductors in the box than the number of power sources.

StackPath

But you HAVE to use a 2 pole linked breaker to protect the outlet. You cannot use separate breakers if you split off the tab and bring 2 circuits to an outlet. I mainly do this for dishwasher/disposal circuits where there is 1 outlet under cabinet.

 

[mrmikey]

The easiest answer would be to get a wireless remote switch.

Second that idea. I have one ( SkylinkHome WE-318 On/Off Wall Switch Lighting Receiver with Snap-On Remote (1000 Watts), Dimmer Switches - Amazon Canada ) to control the sodium light over my detached garage, works great and I have a second remote in my truck so I can turn it on from there. Only caveat is the light being controlled has the be of an incandescent type as the receiver is powered thru the lamp filament.
The link is to Amazon Canadistan where we get ripped of on price, your price will be considerably lower.........Mike

 

[hube2]

But you HAVE to use a 2 pole linked breaker to protect the outlet. You cannot use separate breakers if you split off the tab and bring 2 circuits to an outlet. I mainly do this for dishwasher/disposal circuits where there is 1 outlet under cabinet.

Actually, you use a double pole GFI breaker and each leg of the circuit powers half the outlet with a common return and ground.

But talking about wireless, I;m actually planning on putting in solar powered flood lights with remote control around the house. Solar because they will be put on poles and outbuildings some distance from the house.

20 years ago I wired switches into my basement stairway to control my flood light that is on it and outlets so I could turn on my tractor heaters from inside. If I had to do this again today I would go with wireless remote controlled stuff like others suggest.

 

[Richard]

Whatever you decide, go with LED. One, you will never replace a bulb, two, they run extremely cheap and 3, light output is fantastic.

I've replaced all exterior bulbs with LED and many interior...

I don't agree that they'll never be replaced. I've replaced some of them several times.

For the cost of them that kind of irritated me.... still, I do agree that they should lower electric use bills and the light output though harsh, is fantastic.

(I made the mistake of getting "sun" or 'bright' bulbs for use in the kitchen....had to dump them and replace them with soft white, NOW I look at the box before I buy them!!)

They really do light up the place. I was tickled when I was once cutting a field.... I had replaced the two (working) lights on the front of my tractor with LED's.....and I replaced the FOUR (non-working) bulbs on the fenders with LED's.... it's amazing what it lights up for you with all six of them on.

 

[MoKelly]

I've replaced all exterior bulbs with LED and many interior...

I don't agree that they'll never be replaced. I've replaced some of them several times.

Yes - agreed. I’ve replaced the outside wing wall bulbs a couple times. Of course, they are on all night (work by light sensor).

They last a long time - but not forever.

MoKelly

 

[grsthegreat]

Not all wireless light switches power thru lamp. Lutron switches are used on leds all the time. But there not the cheap chinese amazon brands.

the switch to GFCI requirements for disposal and dishwashers came after I retired from electrical trades. I’m actually glad I retired. Regulations have killed the trade.

i wonder when they will require children to be bubble wrapped before going outdoors.