wiring 3 way with multiple lights


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Old 04-03-11, 11:23 AM
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wiring 3 way with multiple lights

Need some help with wiring up a 3 way switch to multiple lights. Here is what I have:

Power - switch 1 - light - light - light - light - switch

I have 12/2 power to switch 1
12/3 from switch 1 to Light 1
12/3 from light 4 to switch 2

I know it is easiest to go 12/3 between the switches, but to do that I would have to cut into the insulated wall and then patch it up, but would like to avoid that if I can.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to wire this so I dont have to tear into the wall?
 
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Old 04-03-11, 12:45 PM
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Can you run a second cable between light 1 and light 4?
 
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Old 04-03-11, 01:02 PM
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Full access to the ceiling so I can run anything between the them.
 
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Old 04-03-11, 01:23 PM
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Any chance you can run pwoer to light 1? If it runs from the attic to the switch box 1 you could cut and splice it in the attic.
 
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Old 04-03-11, 02:14 PM
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Not easily. This is in the basement. What about the attached? could I just run 12/3 from each outlet, splicing into the black wire on each 12/3 to connect the light? White & red would continue all the way through.

btw, gray in the diagram is the white wire in a 12/3 bundle. I didn't draw out the ground as that is an obvious one.
 
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Old 04-03-11, 03:13 PM
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Cool wiring 3 way with multiple lights

Hello hpservertech:

The way you have your drawing now
You have the lights wired in "series"
They need to be wired in "Parallel"
Also the White Wire you tapped into is a traveler not
a Neutral wire...

If you want the 4 lights to be in the middle of the
3 way switches you can use this drawing I made..





Hope this helps


Have A Nice Day
Linesman
 
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Old 04-03-11, 03:25 PM
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Thanks Linesman!

Follow up. Your diagram looks like it would be the same as running 2 sets of 12/2. If I did that, do I need to run the black/red to each light or just between the first & last light? Only asking cause getting 12/4 might harder to find, but I'll check Lowes in a little bit.
 
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Old 04-03-11, 05:11 PM
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Well, struck out at HD & Lowes. Neither of them have 12/4 (or 12/2-2). Going to check with the small over priced hardware store tomorrow and see if they have any. If I strike out there I guess I'll end up running individual wires in conduit.
 
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Old 04-03-11, 05:52 PM
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Originally Posted by hpservertech
Well, struck out at HD & Lowes. Neither of them have 12/4 (or 12/2-2). Going to check with the small over priced hardware store tomorrow and see if they have any. If I strike out there I guess I'll end up running individual wires in conduit.
I am sure the big box stores don't even know what it is and probably the hardware store won't either. In my area some supply houses stock it, but not all of them.
 
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Old 04-03-11, 05:54 PM
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You do not need 12-4. My previous comment which I have removed only refered to the diagram you posted. Linesman's drawing will only require you replace the 12-2 between the lights with 12-3. Sorry if I caused you confusion with my post.

At switch 1
Connect black of power in to the switch common.
Connect the two whites together.
Conect the red and black of the 3-conductor to the switch traveler screws.

At light 1:

Connect the white from switch 1 to the white of the light and the white of the new three conductor.
Connect red and black from switch one to the new 12-3.

At lights 2 and 3 conect the the white of the lights to the new cable white. Connect the red to red and blaxk to black.

At light 4:
Connect the white of the new cable to the white of the light.
 
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Old 04-03-11, 05:58 PM
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No worries Ray.

Linemans diagram makes perfect sense to me, but it has 4 lines at each light, how would I do this with 12/3? I know the diagram has ground excluded.
 
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Old 04-03-11, 06:33 PM
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Not my night. You are correct 12-3 won't work. My mistake.
 
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Old 04-03-11, 07:01 PM
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The other option you can do this use either 3/8 or half inch flexi metal conduit between the luminaires and use the THHN/THWN conductors it eaiser to do this then try to find specal order spool of XX-4 or XX-2-2 NM cables.

And you may need a rotary cutter to cut the flexiable conduit as well but watch out with the connectors make sure you use the proper one.

so that one of few options you can use.

Merci,
Marc
 
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Old 04-03-11, 07:04 PM
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I have a feeling that is the way I am going to end up going, or just bite the bullet and tear the wall open. Time to perfect my tape & mudding skills I guess. lol

I know what you mean Ray, I pretty much just gave up on doing this today as it didn't feel like i was having a good one either.

If I did go this route, I would need to use 1/2" BX correct? I know code allows only 40% cross section fill. With 5 12ga conductors I dont think 3/8" would be allowed.
 
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Old 04-03-11, 10:10 PM
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f I did go this route, I would need to use 1/2" BX correct?
No. BX is old time cable. Think Greenfield for what you need but today it would be Flexible metallic conduit. Easier might be SMURF tubing, ENT. Plastic, easy to cut, and can use snap fittings.
 
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Old 04-04-11, 08:53 AM
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I use bx loosely meaning flex metal conduit.

I hadn't thought of using the blue plastic flex conduit. That is much easier to use. Thanks Ray.
 
 

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