How to Install a Light Switch Diagram for a Series of Lights

Run a fish tape from the first light fixture's electrical box to the power source, usually a light switch. Wrap a 12-gauge black wire's loose end around the fish tape's hooked end. Reel the fish tape back to the first electrical box, with the wire being dragged behind.

Remove the black wire from the fish tape at the first light fixture. Strip 1/2 inch of rubber coating off the black wire's end, with a wire strippers.

Cut the black wire at the light switch, so it extends approximately 6 inches out of the switch's electrical box. Run the fish tape from the second light fixture's electrical box to the first light fixture's electrical box. Wrap the wire's loose end around the fish tape's hook and reel it in to the second electrical box. Repeat Step 2 at the second fixture. Cut the wire at the first electrical box, allowing an extra 6 inches in length.

Run the wire to the third, fourth and fifth light fixtures' electrical boxes as well, or until you reach the end of the light series. Send the fish tape from the light switch to the last light fixture's electrical box.

Wrap a 12-gauge white wire around the fish tape's hooked end and reel it in from the switch to the last light fixture's electrical box. Extend it about 6 inches into the fixture's electrical box. Strip 1/2 inch of rubber coating off the end. Return to the light switch, and cut the white wire so it extends 6 inches into the switch's electrical box and strip the end.

Loosen the light switch's side screws with a screwdriver. Bend the black and white wires' stripped ends, with a pliers, to form a hook. Hook the black wire around one screw and tighten the screw to hold it in place. Hook the white wire around another screw and tighten the screw to hold it in place.

Cut a 6-inch-long piece of bare copper wire and bend both ends. Loosen the switch's green grounding screw and the electrical box's ground screw. Wrap one end around each screw and tighten the screws. Insert the light switch into the electrical box and secure it in place with the supplied screws.

Return to the first fixture's electrical box. Hold the black wire coming from the switch together with the black wire coming from the light fixture and twist a wire nut over them. Hold the black wire leading to the second electrical box together with the white wire coming from the first fixture and twist a wire nut over them. Secure the light fixture to the electrical box with the supplied screws.

Move to the second electrical box. Connect the black wire coming from the first electrical box with the black wire coming from the light fixture, with a wire nut. Connect the black wire leading to the third electrical box together with the white wire coming from the light fixture and twist a wire nut over them. Mount the light fixture into the electrical box and move to the third electrical box.

Continue wiring the light fixtures together until you reach the end of the circuit. Connect the two black wires at the final fixture with a wire nut. Connect the white wire with the light fixture's white wire and twist a wire nut over them.