Splitting 4 lights into 2 circuits (US)

[ethans_mom]

When our US home was built (2006), the builder put the 2 lights on the top/bottom of our stairs and the 2 lights in our upstairs hall on the same circuit (with 4 switches that each control all 4 lights). With small children sleeping upstairs with doors open, it is impossible for us/guests to use the lights on the stairs at night. I'd like to know if it is possible to convert this into 2 circuits, each having 2 switches controlling 2 lights. I don't need to know specifically how to do it - just need to know if it is possible to make this type of change at the switches without ripping out walls/drywall - so we can consider our options. Thanks!

 

[breezer]

i am not sure quite what you are trying to do.

but it depends on how who wired it, wired it

 

[ethans_mom]

Sorry - I don't really know anything about wiring, so I'm not sure of the correct terms to use. Right now, if you flip the switch at the bottom of the stairs, the light at the bottom, the light at the top, and 2 lights in the upstairs back hallway all turn on/off. There are 4 different switches near the stairs and in the hallway that each control all 4 lights. What we are hoping to do (if possible, without creating a huge mess) is change it so that the 2 lights on the stairs are controlled by the switches at the top and bottom of the stairs and the 2 lights in the hallway are controlled by the 2 switches at either end of the hall - essentially splitting it from one 'circuit' into 2 separate 'circuits' (again, not sure if the use of the word 'circuit' is technically correct).

Thanks!

 

[JohnD]

If the cables ae run in conduits (tubes) inside the wall, and if you can lift the floors to get at the cables running from the top of the walls to the light fittings, you can put new cables in.

However the way that 2-way lighting circuits are run in the US may be different from how it is done here, and colours will certainly be different, so you may do better to consult a local eletrician or handbook (this is a UK website).

If you look behind the light switches and under the floors you should be able to see if you can easily poke new cables down inside the wall.