[Urfireman000]

I have 3 wires running into a single gang nail up box. Two are 14-2 and a 14-3. This will be a 3-way switch. The issue i am having is normally there is only a 14-2 and a 14-3 wire in this type of box. The first 14-2 wire is going to the panel. The second 14-2 wire is going to the lights. The 14-3 wire is going to the other switch location. how can i make this work

 

[KeithM62948]

Connect the neutrals(white) of the 2 14-2 cables.

Connect the black of the 14-2 that feeds the lights to the line/load terminal of the first 3-way.

Use a sharpie to mark the white of the 14-3 as hot (black at both ends).

Connect the re-coded white to the black wire of the 14-2 coming from the panel.

Connect the black & red wires of the 14-3 to the traveler terminals of the first 3-way.

At the second 3-way, connect the red & black conductors of the 14-3 to the traveler terminals, and the re-coded white to the line/load terminal.

Good luck,

Keith

 

[Urfireman000]

Thanks i'll try it

 

[joed]

This is what you need to do.

 

[220/221]

Although the result is the same, I always send the power to the dead ended switch on the black.

14/2 power in and 14/3 blacks together.

14/2 whites together.

Blacks to common terminals.

red/white travelers.

Sharpie smarpie:laughing:

 

[SD515]

Although the result is the same, I always send the power to the dead ended switch on the black.

14/2 power in and 14/3 blacks together...

Except that this is a code violation. A cable, other than the source cable, used to feed power to a switch (a switch leg), must have the power sent to the switch on the white (re-identified) and not be used as the return conductor from the switch. 200.7 (C)(2)

 

[joed]

Except that this is a code violation. A cable, other than the source cable, used to feed power to a switch (a switch leg), must have the power sent to the switch on the white (re-identified) and not be used as the return conductor from the switch. 200.7 (C)(2)

Except this is not a switch leg. The power does not go to the fixture first. The intent of that code article is not have the light connected to two white wires.

 

[SD515]

Except this is not a switch leg. The power does not go to the fixture first.

Then let's call it a switch loop, as the code book does, and yes it is a switch loop. It doesn't have to go to the fixture first. Read the code section (not trying to be snippy, an jerk, or anything).

The intent of that code article is not have the light connected to two white wires.

This I agree with. :thumbsup:

 

[joed]

2008 code has been reworded to say refering to the white

'used for the supply to the switch but not as the return conductor from the switch to the switch outlet.' Note the switched outlet part.

A switch loop/leg is power at the fixture first then to the switch and returning in the same cable. 14/3 between 3way switches is not a switch loop.