How To Wire a 3 Gang Switch Box With 2 Circuits

Here we go through the step by step process of wiring a triple gang switch box that is being fed from two separate circuits. There are a few additional things that you need to keep in mind when working in a box like this in order to keep everything wired correctly.

0:00 - 3 Gang Switch Box With 2 Circuits
0:20 - Trim Cables & Strip Sheathing
1:20 - Keep Circuits Separate With Labels
3:40 - Tie Only Ground Wires Together
6:28 - Neutrals On Main #6
8:21 - Hot Wires On Main #6
10:14 - Neutrals On Sub #2
11:08 - Hot Wires On Sub #2
12:38 - Basic Electricity Explanations
14:22 - How To Install Single Pole Switch
15:58 - Testing The Circuit
17:45 - SUBSCRIBE!!!

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Blessings from Minnesota,

Ben

[ivanfranco]

You are a smart electrician and an even better teacher, Benjamin. Your videos have taught me more than even coworkers have. I admire your willingness to share your knowledge and again, the step by step clear way with which you do it.

[jasonhill]

My dude you've helped me so much. I'm rebuilding my 120 yr old family farmhouse by myself. It all makes perfect sense being a builder with minimal electrical experience things are going smoothly with rough wire for me from your videos. I like that you keep closest attention to detail as you can with out overkill. Thanks again

[karenbridenbaugh]

One of the better teachers on YouTube. Thank you!

[DriverDude]

When my house was wired years ago, the electricians connected together the "hots" from two separate circuits in one upstairs switch box. Whenever both switches were turned on, one of the two breakers feeding the switch box would trip. The electricians couldn't figure out their mistake, so they changed one breaker location effectively powering the two breakers by the same phase in the main panel. This of course only compounded the problem since both breakers had to be turned off to de-power the combined circuits. It took me a little while to figure out where they had combined the "hots". Your work in this video is excellent.

[seephor]

Try that box with 12Awg and you will build muscles in places you thought muscles couldn't be built.

[tattoo]

This video was a huge help and I can't stress it enough. I do mostly trim, tiles, doors, sheetrock, windows etc. A lady I work for couldn't figure out why the three gang box wasn't working that had three 3-ways in it. So I opened it up and nothing was hooked up. I couldn't figure out why I kept tripping the fuse and now I know why it's because there's two circuits and I kept putting all the neutrals together. Now I know what I was doing wrong because I got confused with the four 14/3 and three 12/2 and 2 separate circuits. I will definitely be watching a lot more of your videos

[GMCCanyon]

This video has enlightened me on a recent upgrade in my house. I’m a mechanically inclined DIY-er. And I just couldn’t figure out for the life of me what the previous owners did in a switch box. They didn’t label anything so a simple addition of a smart switch took me a few hours between looking up you tube videos and just sitting back staring at it trying to figure it out in my head. This video came a little late as I already figured it out. Buttt I do have a full on renovation of an addition that was added in 2000. I will be gutting it to the studs and doing all new electrical all the way to the panel. It will be done the right way as I will be having it inspected by the local inspector. This video has given me a lot of ideas as to when I do go to do this renovation. Thanks and keep up the good work!

[BearStar]

I'm a Licensed Journeyman Electrician with over 52 years in the trade, mainly Residential and Light Commercial, and I have never '' twisted the wires together '' with pliers prior to installing wire nuts or wingtips wire connectors and never had any problems or complaints from any of my customers or clients ! I've been doing it the way as I was taught in the State Vocational 4 yr. Apprenticeship Trade School !

[rojadoja]

Love the video. Only thing I would add is that when you make your loop for the terminals on the switch, let viewers know that it matters which direction the loop faces. You’ve been doing it so long you probably just take it for granted. Keep up the good work!

[tonychan]

I've never seen such conscientious labelling in a box! so good

[tompeters]

Good video. When you twisted the wire to be attached to the strip, I did not hear you mention to twist them in the direction the screw turns when tightening them so the wire gets 'pulled' in under the screw rather than backwards and pushing the wire out.

They way you showed in the video was correct. It makes life easier if you have not done them before.

[andrewallen]

Look aIm not the only person who said you're a good teacher Jaja. I too appreciate your willingness to share your knowledge and teach in a step-by-step approach.... Most Respectfully Andrew Allen

[sylvesterstewart]

How I was taught: Use the razor on the last few inches of the romex. Skin it up into the box. Use diagonal cutters to cleanly cut sheathing leaving a 1/2 inch.
A sound mechanical connection is a sound electrical connection.
Wire twisting (Linesman pliers) creates a mechanical connection, wire nuts insulate those connections.
Create a tight braid of the grounds. (Not so tight you pull on the other wires.)
In "short" USE YOUR KLEINS MAN!

[luckyhiker]

Real good instructional video. I would love if you would demonstrate a box fill calculation for this particular box so we can see how full it actually is! Super job!

[travispfeifer]

Ideal wire twisting drill attachment helps on large groups of 12-2!

[bigdaddya]

I just wanted to say thanks for your videos....because of them I am going to get a raise alot 😆 👍

[Eddy]

Your right about the Wago lever nuts and the Ideal pushins ... It makes life a lot easier ... Good vid Benji ...

[mdvener]

Always twist the ends before installing wire nuts, red or blue wire nuts make more room in box, and alwys curl wire when attaching to device in same direction of screw, then tighten with FLATHEAD screw driver. Wago's only make a small contact point. Just like the stab loc on devices. Never use them n never will. After 40 years as a journeyman, have seen my fair share of burnt up devices or screws on devices loose from a phillips head drill or screw driver. Tinhgs need to be tight. Even newer devices with tab under the screw, i still curl the wire around the screw in proper direction. Doing service, way to many times pulling out devices, n the wire came off. Tight is right. I found that a no1 robertson bit works the best, even in a driver drill with clutch turned down, then test with flat head till you find the correct torque setting on your drill. No impact drivers. Nice job, just things i would have done a little different.

[focused]

Always impressed and left more knowledgeable...thank you

[Trainman]

Just curious if you sized the box for the amount of conductors and devices?
It appears the volume of the box is inadequate from what I can see.
Thanks.