Wiring two 3-way switches
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 4
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Wiring two 3-way switches
Hello all,
Im trying to wire up 2 3-way switches in my little girls room. These things always confuse me, and the way i have the wires ran for this one has me a little unsure of myself. Here is a link to the google drawing doc, i made it so everyone has access to edit. If someone could draw the wire connections together for me it would really help me to see it visually.
https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1...it?usp=sharing
Thanks in advance!
Im trying to wire up 2 3-way switches in my little girls room. These things always confuse me, and the way i have the wires ran for this one has me a little unsure of myself. Here is a link to the google drawing doc, i made it so everyone has access to edit. If someone could draw the wire connections together for me it would really help me to see it visually.
https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1...it?usp=sharing
Thanks in advance!
#2
At power in switch white of the 2-conductor cable is connected to the white of the 3-conductor.
At the power in switch black of the 2-coonductor cable goes to common.
At power out switches the white of the 3-conductir is connected to the neutrals of the loads.
At the power out switches the blacks of the load out cables go to the commons.
Red and black of the 3-conductor are the travelers.
Tried to rework your diagram but it was difficult because of the way it was drawn. I assume one switch was for lights and one for receptacles but your diagram wasn't clear on that.
Perhaps this will be clearer:
Last edited by ray2047; 07-26-15 at 01:37 PM.
#3
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 4
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
I redid the diagram to be more clear and connected the wires how i thought they should go. I think that would of been easier from the start, sorry about the lack of clarity.
Your diagram makes sense, i guess what confuses me, is how in this case, my "power in" is coming only to box 2. Switch 2 is going to light 2 from box 2, and then switch 1 is going to light 1 from box 1.
This means i have to pass power from box 2 to box 1, and i end up with what i believe to be a capped wire on the second hot with each switch opposite switch of its light location. Please refer again to my diagram and you'll see what i mean.
Your diagram makes sense, i guess what confuses me, is how in this case, my "power in" is coming only to box 2. Switch 2 is going to light 2 from box 2, and then switch 1 is going to light 1 from box 1.
This means i have to pass power from box 2 to box 1, and i end up with what i believe to be a capped wire on the second hot with each switch opposite switch of its light location. Please refer again to my diagram and you'll see what i mean.
#4
The second 3-way is wired differently if the light is fed from the box where power comes in. I suggest you treat this as two different wiring jobs to save confusion. Wire one then the other.
- The neutral of power in is connected directly to power out neutral.
- One wire of the three conductor cable is connected to the black of power out. (I used white of the 3-conductor in my diagram).
- The other two wires of the 3-conductor cable are your travelers.
- At the left switch the wire of the 3-conductor cable not used as a traveler (white in my diagram) is connected to the common.
Last edited by ray2047; 07-26-15 at 04:08 PM.
#5
Just to add some fuel to the fire.
I like that google drawing system.... I have to look into that.
I like that google drawing system.... I have to look into that.
#6
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 4
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Thanks Guys!
I think I get it now. It helped to separate these like you mentioned Ray, and think of them separately.
I created a new diagram, now both separate, and I have to say, I think my drawing skills are improving! This one is much clearer to make out, especially with them separate.
Let me know if you guys think I'm on track. Thanks!
https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1...RmV2TiGfE/edit
I think I get it now. It helped to separate these like you mentioned Ray, and think of them separately.
I created a new diagram, now both separate, and I have to say, I think my drawing skills are improving! This one is much clearer to make out, especially with them separate.
Let me know if you guys think I'm on track. Thanks!
https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1...RmV2TiGfE/edit