In most cases, lights are wired in parallel rather than in series. Wiring lights in parallel means that each light is connected directly to the power source (e.g., a power outlet or a switch) independently of the other lights in the circuit. This configuration allows each light to operate individually, so if one light fails or is turned off, the other lights in the circuit can continue to function.
Wiring lights in series, on the other hand, means that the lights are connected sequentially, with the current passing through one light before reaching the next one. In a series circuit, if one light fails or is turned off, it breaks the circuit and all the lights in the series circuit will go out.
The parallel wiring configuration is commonly used for lighting systems because it provides several advantages:
Independence: Each light operates independently, so the failure or switching off of one light does not affect the others.
Brightness and Voltage: In a parallel circuit, each light receives the full voltage of the power source, resulting in consistent brightness across all lights. If lights were wired in series, the voltage would be divided between them, resulting in dimmer lights.
Flexibility: Parallel wiring allows for flexibility in adding or removing lights from the circuit without affecting the operation of the other lights.
Safety: If there is a problem or a short circuit in one light, it does not impact the operation of the other lights, reducing the risk of overloading or damaging the entire circuit.
There may be specific situations or specialized lighting setups where series wiring is used, but in general, parallel wiring is the more common and practical choice for most lighting installations.