3 3-Way light switches and 2 sconces

I'm wiring for a new mud room and want to install two seaparate wall sconces. There are 3 doors to the mud room and I want a light switch at each door. Is there a particular ordering for connecting the 14/3 wire between the 3 light switches and 2 sconces?

Thanks.

 

your going to need two 3 way switches and one 4 way switch to do this. As for the ordering where does the power enter the circuit at one of the switches (which one) or at one of the fixtures.
This information is needed to explain where to start and how.
Check out this site for some ideas on proper wiring this

http://www.homewiringandmore.com/swi...4way/4way.html

 

Assuming you are wiring from scratch, the easiest (and IMHO preferred) way would be:

(1) Incoming power to switch #1 via 14/2
(2) 14/3 from switch #1 to switch #2
(3) 14/3 from switch #2 to switch #3
(4) 14/2 from switch #3 to sconce #1
(5) 14/2 from sconce #1 to sconce #2

This assumes the circuit is protected by a 15A breaker. If a 20A breaker, change all 14 gauge to 12 gauge.

Switch #1 will be a 3-way switch. Connect black from 14/2 (incoming power) to the black (common) screw of the switch. Connect black and red from 14/3 to the brass (traveler) screws of the switch. Connect white from 14/2 to white of 14/3.

Switch #2 will be a 4-way switch. Connect red and black from first 14/3 to the black screws on the switch. Connect red and black from the second 14/3 to the brass screws on the switch. Connect white from first 14/3 to white from second 14/3.

Switch $3 will be a 3-way switch. Connect black from the 14/2 (goes to lights) to the black (common) screw of the switch. Connect black and red from the 14/3 to the brass screws of the switch. Connect white from the 14/3 to white from the 14/2.

At each sconce connect all whites together and all blacks together.

Of course at each location connect all bare grounds together and the the green grounding screw of the switch or light fixture.

 

Mikewu,

Can I do everything you said but run the wires to the fixtures from Switch 1 as opposed to Swith 3? The power is coming into Switch 1.

Thanks.

 

azzurri,

Yes you can. The connection information is different.

Call the 14/2 power cable "P".
Call the 14/3 from S1 to S2 "A".
Call the 14/3 from S2 to S3 "B".
Call the 14/2 from S1 to L1 "L".

At S1 (3-way): (1) Connect Pb to Aw (remarked black). (2) Connect Pw to Lw. (3) Connect Lb to the common screw on S1. (4) Connect Ar and Ab to the two traveler screws on S1.

At S2 (4-way): (1) Connect Aw to Bw (both remarked black). (2) Connect Ar and Ab to the two "input" screws on S2. (3) Connect Br and Bb to the two "output" screws on S2.

At S3 (3-way): (1) Connect Br and Bb to the two traveler screws on S3. (2) Connect Bw (remarked black) to the common screw on S3.

At each light, connect by matching wire colors.