4 Cans & 3 Switches

ecommerceaustin

Installing 4 ceiling lights and would like to have control of them through 3 different switch locations. I'm confused on how to wire, I have 12/2 wire coming into the primary switch box and so I need help with how to get the other two switch locations tied to the lights.

joed

Run power into first switch.
Run 12/3 wires from the first switch to the second switch and then to the third switch.
Run 12/2 cable from the third switch to light one then light two etc.

__________________
Do not PM with questions that can be asked in a forum. I will not respond.

ecommerceaustin

Great start....couple of more -

1. (Switch 1 to Switch 2 then Switch 2 to Switch 3) OR (Switch 1 to Switch 2 then Switch 1 to Switch 3)

2. Can the 12/2 (for the lights) start at any of the switches or does it have start from the last switch (#3) in the run of power from the first switch?

Thanks

Techy

1 to 2 to 3, has to start from the '3rd' switch. Unless you use 12/4 cable.

joed

1. IF you are under the current code requiring neutrals in switch boxes then power to S1 to S2 to S3 to Lights.
2. See #1. If not then lights can attach at any switch.

__________________
Do not PM with questions that can be asked in a forum. I will not respond.

hammerlane

You will need two 3-way switches and one 4-way switch. Power comes into one of trhe 3-way location(in diagram below this is the left 3-way). The 4-way switch is wired between the two 3-ways. The 3-way on the right in the diagram is taking the switched power to the lights.

The 3-way location on the right in the diagram may require a neutral at the location depending on your code. The switch itself does not need the neutral to function but newer codes require a neutral at all switch locations.

Also no ground wires shown for ease of drawing.

Attached Thumbnails

 

eastcoastsparky

Thats a code violation. Go from s1-s2-s3 then to lights to keep nuetral at everyswitch location

hammerlane

Depending on his current wiring setup...DAMN the neutral at the far right switch location in the above diagram. If the poster is never going to automate or use sensing switches...DAMn the neutral.

hammerlane

For the code police: neutral at each switch location

Attached Thumbnails

 

k_buz

I will argue that a dead end three-way/four-way does not require a neutral since it is a switch loop.

__________________

Jim Port

Interesting because (C) seems to contradict the exception to (A). The inspectors and professional forums all talk about needing the neutral, regardless, including the death of a dead end three way.

__________________
Answers based on the National Electrical Code. Local amendments may apply. Check with your local building officials.

k_buz

THB, we are still on 2008 so I don't know the ins and outs of it, but the way I read it, neutrals are not needed at dead ended 3/4 ways.

What I find a little curious, is why switch loops is in 3/4 ways, when it is just as, if not more, common to have a switch loop for a single pole.

__________________

Jim Port

Thb??

__________________
Answers based on the National Electrical Code. Local amendments may apply. Check with your local building officials.

k_buz

Dyslexia...TBH...To Be Honest

__________________

AllanJ

Not all boxes in 3 way and 4 way switch loops have raw hot so neutral would
be of limited or no value.

__________________
The disadvantages of crab apple trees. In summer, the apples are too sour to pick and eat. In winter the birds come and leave dropping all over the place.