3 way stair switch

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jetlag

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Eatonton, Georgia
I am having another problem with the area in the post "smoke alarm location", The owner wants to be be able to close the door at the top of the stairs and open both bed room doors in that hall since one is babies room , Problem is he wants to be able to leave the hall light on without the stair case lights being on . I am scratching my head that the AHJ might turn in down if the hall light is not on the 3 way with the stair lights . You see the hall is only a 4x4 landing at top of stairs but has a door to close off the stairs. The code states a light must be directly over the upper and lower landing with switch control at top and bottom . I wonder if I can work it by the exception that says the light can be over the center of stairs and put the top 3 way switch over the last tread at the top , on the bottom landing all is fine, another 3 way and light over landing . Another option might be 2 lights over the landing ,one on a single switch an the other on the staircase 3 way . But that has problems if door is closed a person coming up cant see the top light . Any ideas ?
 
480sparky said:
Unless it's a local amendment, 3-ways are not required anywhere in the NEC.
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Well that is strange I thought it was in the NEC also , anyway the light location over landings is in IRC R-303.6 and the switch location at top and bottom is R-303.6.1 it doesn't say 3 way but how else can you cut both lights on and off from either end of stairs .
 
jetlag said:
I am having another problem with the area in the post "smoke alarm location", The owner wants to be be able to close the door at the top of the stairs and open both bed room doors in that hall since one is babies room , Problem is he wants to be able to leave the hall light on without the stair case lights being on . I am scratching my head that the AHJ might turn in down if the hall light is not on the 3 way with the stair lights . You see the hall is only a 4x4 landing at top of stairs but has a door to close off the stairs. The code states a light must be directly over the upper and lower landing with switch control at top and bottom . I wonder if I can work it by the exception that says the light can be over the center of stairs and put the top 3 way switch over the last tread at the top , on the bottom landing all is fine, another 3 way and light over landing . Another option might be 2 lights over the landing ,one on a single switch an the other on the staircase 3 way . But that has problems if door is closed a person coming up cant see the top light . Any ideas ?
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Well aside from the three way not being requried. I think I would do as you said. put a light on ether side of the door. I would put the switches, 1Sp for the hall and 1 3way for the stairs on the inside of the door. If they were coming down they could turn on the stair lights before opening the door to go down. I would also charge accordingly.
 
You can have as many lights as you want over the stairs. Put a 4 way in so you have control from all 3 locations and perhaps find a light fixture for the hall that has 2 lamps. Wire 1 to the stairs circuit and other to a single pole switch for the hall. That gives them the advantage of a lower wattage lamp for hall at night. Only issue i see that i don't much care for is the door being at the top riser. But i believe its legal. While you in the rough stage pick up a few extra bucks and install a camera with sound. Wish we had them when we were raising our kids.
 
Very simple.

One three way at two locations to do the top of the stairs.

One three way at two locations to do the landing.

Nothing says both light have to come on at the same time. Just says where you have to switch them.

Understand?
 
thanks jim

thanks jim

Jim W in Tampa said:
You can have as many lights as you want over the stairs. Put a 4 way in so you have control from all 3 locations and perhaps find a light fixture for the hall that has 2 lamps. Wire 1 to the stairs circuit and other to a single pole switch for the hall. That gives them the advantage of a lower wattage lamp for hall at night. Only issue i see that i don't much care for is the door being at the top riser. But i believe its legal. While you in the rough stage pick up a few extra bucks and install a camera with sound. Wish we had them when we were raising our kids.
Click to expand...

That is some good ideas , I like the dual light better than two lights , the owner wants the door at top so have more security when both bedroom doors are open . Only thing in the code is that a door at top of stairs can not swing back over the stairs, it must swing into a landing . no door is allowed at the bottom of treads . Tell me im not the only one that uses 3 ways on stairs, it seems there are some that dont .:grin:
 
jetlag said:
That is some good ideas , I like the dual light better than two lights , the owner wants the door at top so have more security when both bedroom doors are open . Only thing in the code is that a door at top of stairs can not swing back over the stairs, it must swing into a landing . no door is allowed at the bottom of treads . Tell me im not the only one that uses 3 ways on stairs, it seems there are some that dont .:grin:
Click to expand...
NEC does not really say 3 way but it is the only smart way to do it. You need to be able to control the lights from top and bottom
 
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