3 Way Switch Wiring - Unusual Configuration

[sparkyjohnrg]

This video is meant to show the wiring of 3-way switches, and is not a recommendation of any raceway or cabling system! As for the NEC (National Electrical Code) citations, Some jurisdictions delete them, and others create additional requirements. They may, or may not be relevant to viewers of this video, as it is viewed internationally. This is NOT a forum for code discussion, but a "How-to" video on the functions of 3-way switches.

[MrNightro]

@voltagehz While EMT can be used for equipment grounding as per 358.60 that is dependant on the fitting & enclousures used in conjunction with the EMT raceway as per 358.2 (other restriction do apply such as isolated grounding, etc.). Under my local code EMT can't even be used for equipment grounding since once it corrodes or is damaged to the point of a racemay break then you have lost your grounding so the advice given in this video is 100% dependant on a lot of factors.

[MrNightro]

@voltagehz No mistakes, look it up for yourself.. & I made a double post if you must know why I deleted one of them.

[odmcarp]

how many 3-way switched can there be hooked up in a row? I have 3 Leviton Motion Activated Light Switches that can be used as 3-Way switches. I want to install one switch on each floor. This is a three family, and I want one motion switch on each floor. Any switch should be able to turn on all three lights in the staircase. Is this possible with 3-way switches, or do i need a 4-way on the 2nd floor?

[MrSparks134]

why in gods name would any one wire up a 3way like this???

[MasterSwisha]

Had this wiring set up in room I remodeled the other day except the source came in through the light fixture and then fed out in 2 directions to the 2 switches and then from there the switches went to power outlets. Took me a while to figure it all out as it is not a common way to wire 3-ways.

[MrNightro]

Do you have a wiring schematic for this 3-way configuration?

[sparkyjohnrg]

@MrNightro

I do not have a schematic. You need a 4-wire cable, or conduit between the switches. You have a NEUTRAL conductor, which gets spliced in the box (NEVER connected to the switch), a HOT conductor, a TRAVELER, and a SWITCH. The TRAVELER wire goes on the "Common" terminal of both 3-way switches, and the HOT & SWITCH wires go on the other 2 terminals of the 3-way switches.

[MrNightro]

@sparkyjohnrg

The reason I ask is because you state all that is needed is a 4 waire cable, however you have left out the ground. I wanted an actual schematic in front of me to be sure I wasn't over looking anything.

You have your Neutral, Hot, Traveler, switch wire but no ground, code calls for a dedicated ground to be pulled through all conduit even if it's EMT. Am I missing something?

[black83shadow]

I think I have it lol... Hard to see where all the wires are going in the boxes... I have a question though, Looks like there is three hot and one neutral between the 3-way switches... Does the code permit 14\2 (B&W) and 14\2 (B&R) between switches... This would eliminate conduit between the boxes ???

[mdmyers7206]

I am pretty sure that physics works the same way everywhere in the world.

[oerman1]

this configuration is also called a coast three way!!! much more interesting way to wire it!!!!

[sparkyjohnrg]

Instead of writing comments, watch the video again. About 1 minute into the video, I explain that there is only 1 traveler, and it gets connected to the point terminal of the switch.