3-way switching
- Thread starter philelectric
- Start date
- Status
...but its easier to remember which way you put them in from outlet to outlet, job to job, if you put them all in the same as the basic on-off switch.It should make no difference if the ground terminal is "all down" or "all up" as long as they are "all the same".
gar
Senior Member
- Location
- Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Occupation
- EE
101123-1131 EST
Mivey:
When I built my house I did things for function, quality, and I also tried to minimize cost. I am not in a low cost neighborhood, nor a super expensive one.
The RR relay and other similar ones at that time were being sold on cost reduction (less copper), but in reality that was not the result. They should have put the major marketing on function. However, my cost was not much greater than conventional wiring and it was a lot easier. I used gang boxes for the relays rather than locating the relay at the destination. By using gang boxes I used more copper, but I think a better overall system.
Here is an illustration of function. A wall between the dining room and the kitchen, next to the door, has switches on both sides in almost the same location. On each side there is a switch to that room and another switch to the adjacent room. The light in the entered room can be turned on from the room being excited. This means you do not have to enter the room and turn around to turn on the light. On exciting the room you use the switch in the room from which you are exciting to turn off the light of that room. UP always means ON, and DOWN always means OFF.
Garage is another good example. I do not have to go outside and enter the garage to see if the light is on and I can unambiguously turn the garage light off from the house.
A lot of electricians in need of work might try to up-sell customers to more functional lighting control. Maybe sell on energy conservation as well as convenience.
In 44 years I have never had a relay coil burn out. The only problems with the relays have been with a few that have lost bi-stable capability. Effectively the internal mechanism is a bi-stable snap blade switch pulsed at different times from an ON or OFF coil.
.
Mivey:
When I built my house I did things for function, quality, and I also tried to minimize cost. I am not in a low cost neighborhood, nor a super expensive one.
The RR relay and other similar ones at that time were being sold on cost reduction (less copper), but in reality that was not the result. They should have put the major marketing on function. However, my cost was not much greater than conventional wiring and it was a lot easier. I used gang boxes for the relays rather than locating the relay at the destination. By using gang boxes I used more copper, but I think a better overall system.
Here is an illustration of function. A wall between the dining room and the kitchen, next to the door, has switches on both sides in almost the same location. On each side there is a switch to that room and another switch to the adjacent room. The light in the entered room can be turned on from the room being excited. This means you do not have to enter the room and turn around to turn on the light. On exciting the room you use the switch in the room from which you are exciting to turn off the light of that room. UP always means ON, and DOWN always means OFF.
Garage is another good example. I do not have to go outside and enter the garage to see if the light is on and I can unambiguously turn the garage light off from the house.
A lot of electricians in need of work might try to up-sell customers to more functional lighting control. Maybe sell on energy conservation as well as convenience.
In 44 years I have never had a relay coil burn out. The only problems with the relays have been with a few that have lost bi-stable capability. Effectively the internal mechanism is a bi-stable snap blade switch pulsed at different times from an ON or OFF coil.
.
lakee911
Senior Member
- Location
- Columbus, OH
Idea for a new invention ... switch on a swivel. Make up down and down up at your liesure.
Idea for a new invention ... switch on a swivel. Make up down and down up at your liesure.
Just make 'em push on, push off... single pushbutton
Install a Bulldog/Push-Matic!
Do they make a 3 way ? :roll:
Jim W in Tampa
Senior Member
- Location
- Tampa Florida
If we just used sting and pull chain we would not have a problem. 3 way 4 way etc , just eye hooks and string.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Gar, you started all this nonsense....:grin:
gar
Senior Member
- Location
- Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Occupation
- EE
101123-2152 EST
Dennis:
It sure looks that way.
I like the string, eyelets, and pull chain. I actually have one of these for a light.
This technique also works very well for emergency stop on a transfer machine.
.
Dennis:
It sure looks that way.
I like the string, eyelets, and pull chain. I actually have one of these for a light.
This technique also works very well for emergency stop on a transfer machine.
.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Talk to the guys who make the 360-degree rotating receptacles.Idea for a new invention ... switch on a swivel. Make up down and down up at your liesure.
mivey
Senior Member
Gravity boots.
glene77is
Senior Member
- Location
- Memphis, TN
- Location
- Simi Valley, CA
The first thing I do is tell them the story about the stupid homeowner who wanted all of his 3 way switches to work in the same direction, then I follow it up with, can you believe he even asked such a thing?
Then they won't ask.:roll:
Then they won't ask.:roll:
I like that, a preemptive strike.
mivey
Senior Member
Last edited:
Then I can understand the confusion:
:grin:
That must be a single line diagram of the infamous " two-way switch". Home owners are always talking about them but I have yet to see one.
mivey
Senior Member
Could be. I can't figure out what it is except a momento from pentagram sketch night at the all-you-can-drink-for-a-dollar bar. :grin:That must be a single line diagram of the infamous " two-way switch". Home owners are always talking about them but I have yet to see one.
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