is this even a way to do a three way?
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The new electrican is now gone over an unrelated dispute. Small addition with only a few circuts to do. I am wraping up the wiring that wasnt finished. I am not a full time electrician by any means. I did however find a few things I know are wrong with what he had done (like GFIs put in the wrong order ect.).
He ran power into three way switch (12-2) then ran 12-3 from switch up to light then 12-3 to other three way switch. Is this a way to do this? Its not how I know how to do them. How would you hook it up? It seems to me its missing another wire.
I would run power into switch (12-2) then 12-3 to other switch then 12-2 to lights. Thats the only way I know.
I gotta finish up stuff tommrow and the two guys I know who would know never got back to me, so can yall help?
I figure worse comes to worse I can feed the 12-2 wire I need without too much damage, unless this guy knows something I dont. He aint comming back so its gotta be figured out. THANKS
Replies
No that'll work, power to the sw gets power to the common and should juice the 3 way system, to the best of my knowledge...
I have to get the book out and review whenever I do a 3 way sw but it always makes sense.
Pat -- not an electrician.
http://www.rd.com/images/tfhimport/2000/Mar00_Ask_Handyman/20000301_Ask_Handyman_page006img002_size2.jpg
Edited 10/20/2008 8:37 pm by Waters
Thanks Pat but I dont really follow ya, ya know? what gets hooked up to what
Didja go to that link? I think that was zactly your situation?
Went to link but thats not what going on here-your link is how I would do it. He fed sw box with 12-2 (power in) then ran 12-3 to light and 12-3 from light to other switch, thats it.
View ImageOr is this the way to do it?
You have the right idea, but the wrong colors.http://www.selfhelpandmore.com/switch-outlet/3-way/3-way-power-at-switch-ground-cable-routed-thru-the-ceiling-box-to-other-switch.phpOn the white wire from the 2nd switch it gets
remarked at each end to indicate that it is a
switched hot.Use tape or marker. You can use black or red
or anything other than white, gray or green.BTW, this is all of the other way to
wire a 3-way.http://www.selfhelpandmore.com/switch-outlet/3-way/
.
.
A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Your saying make it known(tape, marker etc..) that the white coming into the light, from the second switch is now a hot, and put it on the black on the light, right? I planned on that part but the white wire coming from the second switch goes on the black screw right? Think I got it I really appreciate the help, seems like lately I don't have anybody locally to teach me new stuff and I need it. I know an awful lot but have a drive to keep getting better, maybe why I like to tackle stuff Im unfamiliar with just to keep getting better and not become stagnant.
THANKS TO ALL
No, the white traveler from the right switch (and remarked) connects to the back traveler from the left switch.The black common from the right switch connects to the black on the light.The red traveler from the left switch connects to the red traveler from the right one.Only real white and real black wires ever connect to the light fixture..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
OOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH! Is that just a better more organized way to do it?
I get it now!!!!! Thanks man
That will work fine. Which box has the hot coming in? That is how you figure out how to wire it. One leg is certainly a dead end.(3 wires go to the 3 switch terminals)
At the top of my head its do-able.
!2-2 feeds the firs switch. White is still neutral.
Black and red of 12-3 are travelers up to light. white is still neutral ( and becomes the neutral for the light).
12-3 going down to other switch - black and red are still travelers. White becomes lead to feed light ( and should be marked as a non-neutral w/ tape or some means).
Remodeling Contractor just on the other side of the Glass City
Ok so are you saying put the white wire on the black screw on second switch? and put white wire to the black wire in light? wire nut black to black and red to red in light?
yepRemodeling Contractor just on the other side of the Glass City
Thanks that makes sense to me now, use less wire that way too I guess. Just didnt think it all the way through. Love learning new stuff thanks.
No problem, glad to help out. Good luck.Remodeling Contractor just on the other side of the Glass City
http://www.homeimprovementweb.com/information/how-to/three-way-switch.htm
Looks right .... option #3 of the link.