Connecting multiple lamps to a single power supply: a step-by-step diagram

Turn off the power at the circuit breaker, then wire the lamps in parallel: connect all the neutral wires together in a connector, all the phase (or switch return) wires in another, and the earth wires together. Allow for a maximum of 8 lighting points per lighting circuit with 1.5 mm² wire. Check for the absence of voltage before touching anything.

How to connect multiple lamps to a single electrical supply?

Parallel wiring is the only reliable method: each lamp receives the full 230 V and shines normally. At the supply point, identify the blue (neutral), the brown or red (phase), and the green-yellow (earth) wires. Group each color with the corresponding wires from your lamps into a connector.

Identify the wires before any connection

Each conductor has a specific role and a standardized color. The green-yellow wire provides the earth, which is mandatory whenever a light fixture has any metal parts. The same logic applies when you need to connect a ceiling light to a DCL box on the ceiling.

• Blue: neutral
• Brown or red: phase or switch return
• Green-yellow: earth (protection)

Before touching a wire, verify the absence of voltage with a multimeter or a VAT (Voltage Absence Tester) with the circuit breaker off. The costly mistake: confusing the common neutral and the switch return, two wires that are often similar in color. A test prevents a short circuit when power is restored.

Wago or terminal block: which connector?

The lever-operated Wago clamps each wire with a flick and can be reopened without damaging the copper; the screw-type terminal block remains economical but requires regular tightening. To connect multiple sources, one multi-way connector per color is sufficient, such as when you want to connect multiple lamps to a single switch.

Keep wire lengths short and colors consistent from one point to another. Clearly labeled wiring is easy to troubleshoot in seconds, while improvised wiring will cost you later.

Once you have the diagram in mind, choose lamps with the same base to simplify wiring: browse the designer lighting collection and identify GU10 or E27 models that match your supply.

How many lamps can be connected to a single switch or per circuit?

Count a maximum of 8 lighting points per lighting circuit, protected by a 16 A circuit breaker and wired with 1.5 mm² cable (standard usage in France). A single switch controls these 8 points if they share the circuit. Beyond that, create a second circuit rather than overloading the first one.

The 8-point rule per circuit

This limit protects the wire: too many points on a single line will heat the conductor and trip the breaker. Respecting the power cutoff and labeling applies to every device, as reminded by the basics for connecting a light fixture safely.

The 1.5 mm² cable is reserved for lighting; sockets use 2.5 mm² on a separate circuit. Never mix the two uses on the same circuit protection.

Distributing points according to surface area

The useful number depends on the room as much as the standard: a large living room benefits from multiple low-intensity sources rather than a single ceiling light. For recessed lighting, calculating by surface area helps to balance the light, as explained in our guide on how many spots per m².

Regarding equipment, standardization provides peace of mind: in a survey of 24 pendant lights in our catalog as of September 22, 2026, the base was GU10 for 50% and E27 for 38%, and CE certification was present on 100% of the items. These two bases cover the majority of lamps to be connected.

If your installation exceeds these limits or mixes several circuits, custom advice will prevent errors: contact our team before wiring.

Parallel or series: what is the difference and how to connect 3 lamps in series?

In parallel, each lamp receives 230 V and shines fully: this is the method to use. In series, the lamps share the voltage. Connect the phase to the first one, link its output to the input of the next, all the way to the neutral. Three lamps in series divide the voltage by three.

Why 2 lamps in series shine faintly

Two lamps in series split the 230 V, meaning about 115 V each. Under-powered, each lamp shines dimly, and if one burns out, the entire circuit goes out. This is the major drawback of series connection for standard lighting.

The voltage sharing also affects low-energy models: before connecting an LED, check its operating voltage, as an LED designed for 230 V cannot handle being divided.

Connecting spots in series: the wiring to avoid

For spots, a series connection penalizes brightness and complicates troubleshooting: one faulty spot cuts off the entire row. Prefer parallel, where each point maintains its full intensity and remains independent of the others.

Our LED spots are all wired the same way, which simplifies creating a uniform and consistent row.

Reserve series connection for niche uses: decorative effects, string lights, or dimmed ambiances where the drop in intensity is a deliberate choice.

For this specific case, our guide on connecting spots in series details the diagram step by step.

The diagram matters just as much as the choice of lamps: to match power and room ambiance, take the time to choose the right lighting before increasing the number of points.