three way switches
#1
05-05-03, 02:18 AM
three way switches
If your installing more then one light fixture between switches, do you need to use 4 wire between lights, or can you continue to use three wire as long as the white wire coming from the last fixture is used as a traveler
#2
05-05-03, 08:29 AM
Member
To do this, you must use four insulated conductors (plus ground) between lights.
However, this cable routing is a generally bad design, because it leads to overcrowding and confusion at the lights. It is much better to use one of the following routings instead (where "-" is 14/2 and "=" is 14/3):
(1) Power-S1=S2-L1-L2-L3
(2) Power-S1=L1=S2, and L1-L2-L3
The first option is my preference by far, primarily becuase it means that all white wires are neutrals, and light wiring is as simple as matching colors. This eliminates a lot of confusion.
However, this cable routing is a generally bad design, because it leads to overcrowding and confusion at the lights. It is much better to use one of the following routings instead (where "-" is 14/2 and "=" is 14/3):
(1) Power-S1=S2-L1-L2-L3
(2) Power-S1=L1=S2, and L1-L2-L3
The first option is my preference by far, primarily becuase it means that all white wires are neutrals, and light wiring is as simple as matching colors. This eliminates a lot of confusion.
