3 Way Switch - 3 typical ways to wire

[ChuckCh9]

Thank you

[MGiants82]

I love know it all people who comment on code in a instructional video. When I was in school you learn how circuits work like this on a board, them you learn code.

[sparkyjohnrg]

Using a single pole switch as a "Master" makes no sense. I show one on my board to safely show the details by de-energizing the board before poking around with my fingers.You can have as many switches as you desire, BUT you always start and end with a 3-way switch, and ALL of the switches in-between are 4-way switches.

[buick718]

what if your using a single pole as a master switch and want to use a 3 way switch to be the master switch for every 3 way after

single pole(main master)>3way (controlling next switch>>3way (controlling next switch>>3way (controlling next switch>eetc

[johneespinoza]

Great video! Thanx for those helpfully tips on 3 way wiring

[sparkyjohnrg]

For the LAST TIME, This video is to help viewers under stand the wiring of 3-way switches, and to aid their troubleshooting of thereof. This video is NOT a CODE class on NEC requirements. Those of you who have nothing better to do than parse videos to look for code compliance, should get a life, or produce their own video. Any further comments of this nature will be removed.

[torito33]

WRONG WRONG WRONG!!!!!

This is a great example of a bad electrician. One that more then likely has never open the code book.

Please read N.E.C. 200.7 C1.

[sparkyjohnrg]

@torito33 This video is to illustrate the operation and function of 3-way switches. It is NOT to Illustrate all of the requirements of the N.E.C.. This video is viewed internationally, and the NEC does NOT apply to them.

[Chewylu103]

@sparkyjohnrg You should really let your audience know that your example is not to code, that it is merely a wiring tutorial that should not be followed to do wiring in your house. Just as a heads up though to you and your audience(whomever is under the jurisdiction of the National Electrical Code), on your 3 way setup where you colored the neutral wire blue, you should have put the neutral conductor as the traveller and the black or red as your point to feed the light, as tortito33 indicated

[rlewis1946]

@Chewylu103: "...on your 3 way setup where you colored the neutral wire blue, you should have put the neutral conductor as the traveller and the black or red as your point to feed the light, as tortito33 indicated."

Thank you for helping understand Tortito's reference. In practice is a "black taped or painted (normally neutral) white wire in residential wiring absolutely necessary? Why isn't 14-3 or 12-3 cable used to eliminate this need to "doctor up XX-2 cable.

Roy Lewis ATL, Georgia USA

[rlewis1946]

@torito33 Since N.E.C. is copyrighted, I will not ask you to "cut and paste" to that which you refer. On the other hand, your comment suggests you have access to it and have read and understand it. Please do your best to explain your point by paraphrasing 200.7.C1, so we all can better understand your point. Thank you.

Roy Lewis Atlanta, Georgia USA

[sparkyjohnrg]

There can only be 2 3-way switches (one on each end), and an infinite number of 4-way switches between them.

[odmcarp]

is it possible to have three 3-way switches in a row to control some lights?

or does the middle one HAVE TO be a 4-way?

[ozymandias2010]

I'm not overly familiar with US style switches, but unless you are isolating the supply (off camera) that is coming in on that black wire, I'd say your hands are getting awfully close to some actual live connections, particularly at around 0.45 on the video.

[nukwe968]

the white wire, what number is? plase thank you

[ASCanadian]

Adding a Hot Receptacle to a 3-Way Switch

Hi i'm trying to wire a hot receptacle to a 3-way switch. The issue I am having with this is, I am trying to added it into the box with only the 14-3 wire going to it. Meaning the original power source is not in this box, it is in the other box of the 3 way switch.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers, 

[sparkyjohnrg]

@ASCanadian You don't have enough wires to accomplish that. Is that wall accessible from above or below? You would need to extend an existing power source.

[kleintools123]

@ASCanadian I dont think your gonna be able to do this u need to tap into the other box and also make sure u have a neutral and ground i know some houses the power goes to the light and you might not have a neutral there so check the other box cause the box with the 3 wire aint gonna work for ya :)

[VictorHongo110]

can you please make a video of: 3-way switch > Light > Light > 3-Way switch?

[sparkyjohnrg]

@VictorHongo110 The only difference is that you need 4 wires to run between the lights: Switch, Neutral, 2 travelers.

[jackmosley06]

Thanks for the video! I think I found a new hobby!

[ruuskap]

great work, i apreaciate it a lot. thanks! youtube is a miracle.

[pantlessguitarist]

or excuse me, when i say common on a switch, i mean point.

[pantlessguitarist]

The second example was slightly confusing to me. correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding of it was; Incoming power goes to the common on the first switch, your two traveler wires are connected in the lights box. the neutral connects to the light, and the common from the second switch attaches to the hot light terminal (with a white wire marked with tape etc.)

[EmbrunFalcon91]

lol nevermind, you said right afterwards that it was fine :P

[EmbrunFalcon91]

Hey sparky, with the second one, instead of makign it blue is it better just to wrap a peice of black electrical tape at the end of it sothat you know its the hot wire?

[hallnoats4ever]

OK this looks easy, buy how do you run the wires though "finished" walls. With studs every 16 inches. That seems impossible to me unless you totally cut and destroy the wall.

[sparkyjohnrg]

In a finished structure, I fish wires down from above, or up from below, depending on whether there is a basement, or attic. The video is meant to show the pertinent connections, NOT the fishing of wiring in walls, as that will vary by building, electrical jurisdiction, and local trade practice.

[EmbrunFalcon91]

@hallnoats4ever Look up "Fish Tape" on youtube

[croakerchoker504]

@Ongytenes black, red, blue for low voltage, 110/277. volts Brown, Orange, Yellow for high voltage 277/480 volts

[sparkyjohnrg]

The majority of people using this site are looking to solve a problem. They are NOT taking out permits and having inspections. This site is used by DIY'ers, not professionals looking to relearn 3-way switches 101. I cannot and will not post videos to avoid the foibles of a couple petty inspectors. In a third of a century, I have NEVER tolerated bullying from an errant inspector, and have reported them to their municipal, or State agencies. They don't mess with you after that.

[sparkyjohnrg]

The majority of people looking for info on 3-way switches are residential users, NOT commercial and industrial users. Most residential users will find 3-wire cables, and 3-wire cables are NOT made with a BLUE wires. 3-wire cables contain Black, Red & White wires. Color coding is NOT standardized on a National level. It is left up to the "Authority having Jurisdiction", and to categorically state that "Black, Red and Blue are the colors used with 120 volts" is misleading. Think before Posting!

[trugreenandtroublu]

thanks for the GREAT DEMONSTRATION I will b using all 3 applications...

[tslabjr7]

as a apprentice i noticed you colored the wire with magic marker. Why? i was taught to splice black to the white wire. then treat that white conductor as if it was black conductor.

i was taught when wiring a switch loop with the white wire is always the line conductor. leaving you left with a black load. This way you do not mix up the white conductors later.

[sparkyjohnrg]

The 2005 NEC (National Electrical Code) changed the requirements for use of White or Gray conductors. Open your code book to 200.7(C)(1). Hopefully, you were taught that before the adoption of the 2005 NEC.

[darkcopius]

thank u

[darend44]

very helpfull vid, thanks