sharing a 3 gang switchbox
#1
04-07-03, 09:49 AM
sharing a 3 gang switchbox
Is it ok to share a 3- gang switch box with an existing switch (3-way) with two new single pole switches?
I have an existing 3 way switch, and I want to add two more switches within the 3 gang box. Do I need to be concerned with interfenrence between them?
The box is metal........ I noticed some slight sparking from the 3 way switch when I turn it off....... the new siwtches are ground seperalty from the 3-way. Could this be causing the slight sparking?
I have an existing 3 way switch, and I want to add two more switches within the 3 gang box. Do I need to be concerned with interfenrence between them?
The box is metal........ I noticed some slight sparking from the 3 way switch when I turn it off....... the new siwtches are ground seperalty from the 3-way. Could this be causing the slight sparking?
#2
04-07-03, 10:03 AM
Member
Yes, this is fine. However, all grounding wires in the box should be interconnected with all other grounding wires, and to the box, and to all switches.
All switches spark every time they are used. Most of the time, it's slight and nobody notices. I can't see the size of your spark, so I don't know whether to be concerned or not.
Make sure the box is not overcrowded and that the wires are carefully and neatly packed into it.
All switches spark every time they are used. Most of the time, it's slight and nobody notices. I can't see the size of your spark, so I don't know whether to be concerned or not.
Make sure the box is not overcrowded and that the wires are carefully and neatly packed into it.
#3
04-07-03, 10:55 AM
Thank you. So I should ground all 3 switches together?
I was also wondering if the sparking was caused by the two new ground wires touching the metal box. The sparking was definitly coming from the existing 3 way switch ground wire in the back of the box ( it was grounded to the screw)
I was also wondering if the sparking was caused by the two new ground wires touching the metal box. The sparking was definitly coming from the existing 3 way switch ground wire in the back of the box ( it was grounded to the screw)
#4
04-07-03, 01:07 PM
Member
Yes. Ground all three switches together.
I'm not sure why there would be sparking between the ground wires and the metal box. Aren't they connected together? If so, I don't see how their can be any arc between them. Heaven forbid, but perhaps the grounding wires are carrying current because somebody did something really bad somewhere.
I'm not sure why there would be sparking between the ground wires and the metal box. Aren't they connected together? If so, I don't see how their can be any arc between them. Heaven forbid, but perhaps the grounding wires are carrying current because somebody did something really bad somewhere.
#5
04-08-03, 06:44 AM
Well, the existing 3 way switch is on a different circuit breaker than the two new switches within the same metal box. I think the new switch ground wires were contacting the metal box. I re-arranged them within the box so the did not touch anything. That seemed to have worked. ( I hope) Would a bad switch possibly cause some sparking on the ground screw?
#6
04-08-03, 08:14 AM
Member
All grounding wires in the should be connected, and connected to the box, even if they are on different circuits. Ground wires are supposed to touch the box. In fact, they must touch the box.
I suppose a bad switch could theoretically cause this if it had a high-impedence path to ground within it. However, I've never encountered such a failure.
I suppose a bad switch could theoretically cause this if it had a high-impedence path to ground within it. However, I've never encountered such a failure.
#7
04-08-03, 08:52 AM
Please know that it's possible to have 220 volts between adjacent switch-terminals if 2 different Branch-Circuits have connections in the outlet-box.Your Service is feed by 2 Un-grounded conductors with 220 volts across these conductors.The interior Branch-Circuits are connected to both these conductors in an approximate "balance",i.e., ten 110 volt Branch-Circuits to one of the conductors and ten 110 volt Branch-Circuits to the other.-----Good Luck!!!!
