3-Way Switch Location (Help)

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Dennis Alwon said:
I just had this very issue with 2 doors leading to the outside patio. There was one light and one switch and the other door was 10' away but to get to the other door you had to walk a good distance in the house around a bathroom and thru a bedroom. Inspector wanted a switch at each door. The lone light illuminated both doors. He insisted on a 3 way or 2 sp. for 2 lights because it was so far away.

The code will allow the switch to be on another floor if you want. Now I don't see why the code is written this way but there is no wording to support another switch. Does anyone know why a switch is not required at the door to a room or outside.
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I'll give it a shot. There is no money in lobbying the NEC CMP for the location of a switch.
 
jeff48356 said:
In fact, for the living room, I would require a pair of 3-way switches to control the top halves of all the outlets in the room.
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I'm just a dumb builder, but I require the BOTTOM half of the duplex receptacles to be switched. This allows the user to more easily see the "open" half of the receptacle when a luminaire is already plugged into the bottom half of the receptacle.
 
rogerp said:
I'm just a dumb builder, but I require the BOTTOM half of the duplex receptacles to be switched. This allows the user to more easily see the "open" half of the receptacle when a luminaire is already plugged into the bottom half of the receptacle.
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But what if receptacles are installed upside down?

:D
 
AHJ can require a switch at every exit doorway controlling a light outside the door. The location should be reasonable as decided by the inspector. No need for an NEC rule. In my county their code handbook says, "At least one wall switch lighting outlet shall be installed...at outdoor entrances or exits." Most AHJs have no handbook. My question, does the rule have to be written?
 
mlnk said:
My question, does the rule have to be written?
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If the rule is not written, it is then totally the inspectors discretion. If it is written then both installer and inspector have something to reference if they disagree about an installation. If not written it is inspectors idea vs installers idea. Does that seem fair or right?

If it is written in a public document, it is so much easier to say: here is the law. Many places have that by just referencing the NEC as the standard and then may have some amendments to go with it. If enough people don't like the law they can go through the necessary steps to have it changed.
 
mlnk said:
AHJ can require a switch at every exit doorway controlling a light outside the door. The location should be reasonable as decided by the inspector. No need for an NEC rule. In my county their code handbook says, "At least one wall switch lighting outlet shall be installed...at outdoor entrances or exits." Most AHJs have no handbook. My question, does the rule have to be written?
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The AHJ can only do what the code states, not what they feel is necessary. I can't imagine if we had no NEC rules and the AHJ would make all the decisions. The code simply states a switch shall be provided for a lighting outlet to illuminate the entrances. It does not state where the light nor where the switch is located.
 
kwired said:
Now that you said that I want my switches located at the neighbors house:cool:
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That could be an issue with 225.30..........:lol:

Honestly, most people want it in a practical place but the code does not mandate it. I did one house where they had a 30 foot hallway and the owners insisted on one switch at the beginning of the hall. I told them I was installing one more whether they pay for it or not. The fact is only one is required.
 
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