Three-way switching
#1
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Three-way switching
I have two lights between two three-way switches with power through switch. How do I wire? I have 12-3 w/G run between each device.
#3
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There is no way I know to electrically get this done with only 12-3 and still be safe and meet code. You can get an X10 or other 'aftermarket' system to provide the 3-way function wirelessly or otherwise.
The problem is that you need a fourth wire between the two fixtures. Then you cannot run a circuit over two separate cables, so you would need another cable or 12/4 with ground.
If you added a fourth wire, for example in raceway between the fixtures, you would use red and black as travelers between the start and end switches, and you could re-ID the white from the end switch to fixture #2, but you need that fourth wire, for example blue, to get from fixture #2 to fixture #1.
The problem is that you need a fourth wire between the two fixtures. Then you cannot run a circuit over two separate cables, so you would need another cable or 12/4 with ground.
If you added a fourth wire, for example in raceway between the fixtures, you would use red and black as travelers between the start and end switches, and you could re-ID the white from the end switch to fixture #2, but you need that fourth wire, for example blue, to get from fixture #2 to fixture #1.