wiring help request

[SVanderkolff]

I am in the process of wiring up the new shop and just simply cannot get my head around the wiring. Electricity is one of those things that has never rreally made sense to me so I struggle everytime I need to wire something. What I want to do is have the power source (breaker box) at one end, a few florescent lights and then the light switch at the other end. I am sure this is possible but I simply can't see how. I have wire with three wires in it. White, black, green.
Thanks for the help.
Steve

[Bob Warner]

Steve,

This may clear it up a bit.

[SVanderkolff]

Bob
Thanks, but how do you do it when the light switch comes after the lights???? Breakers, then lights, then switch.
Thanks
Steve

[Ed Caffrey]

If I understand the question, you just run the wires from the breaker to the point you want the switch......then from the switch, you run the wire(s) back to the lights. In order for the switch to operate, it must be between the power source (breaker), and the light(s).

Another thing that often confuses people is wiring the breaker(s). The black wire goes to the breaker, the white wire goes to the "neutral bar" inside the breaker box, and the green wire goes to the "ground bar", which is also inside the breaker box.

[SVanderkolff]

In my case the braker is at one end of the room, the door is at the other and the lights are in between. If I need to have the switch between the breaker and the lights than I will need to run wire from the breaker over to the door and then back again for the lights. I was hoping to avaid that.
Thanks
Steve

[SIXFOOTER]

Run piece of Romex from the breaker box into the light fixture, annother from the switch to the light fixture. Use Bobs info to connect the breaker box. At the light fixture tie the Black wires from the switch and breaker together with a wire nut, this gets the switch powered. In the switch connect the black to one screw and the white to the other. Put a piece of red tape on the white wire, connect the green to the green screw. Back in the light fixture, put a piece of red tape on the white wire from the switch and connect that wire to the black one on the light fixture itself, this is the "Switch Leg" that turns on the light. Connect the white wire from the breaker to the white wire in the fixture and the green to the ground. Button it up and turn on the breaker. Easy stuff.
Hope that helps