3way switch wiring

[CaptainConduit]

Is there any other way to wire up (2) 3 way switches other than the normal way that we were all taught? Ive heard some one use the term "Carter 3 ways" or "California 3 ways" does anyone know how to wire either one? :roll:

 

[480sparky]

California 3-ways. Farmer 3-ways. Indiana 3-ways. Always-Hot 3-ways. They go by a lot of names, but most are Code violations. In this illistration, there's only 3 wires between a house and garage, a 3-way is installed, yet the receptacle for the door operator is energized at all times.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

You may want to add that this is a violation.

 

[480sparky]

You may want to add that this is a violation.

I did already.:smile: "But most are Code violations...."

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I did already.:smile: "But most are Code violations...."

That was my point you said most and I wanted to make sure the op understood this one was not to code.

 

[brian john]

Hot set of 3 ways, lazy Suzy 3 way...heard a few others all the same basic setup. When I was a fairly green mechanic, I went to a house to replace all outlets and switches, I knew my 3-ways and 4-ways I THOUGHT...Spent a few hours scratching my head over this, I finished the house and had an older mechanic come help me...He would not show me what he did but in short order he had it fixed...Took me a few more years to finally figure it out...

 

[jrdsg]

lv controls

lv controls

why would anyone do this when a simple low-voltage control setup would enable you to control the output from as many points as necessary without pulling additional cable?

 

[LawnGuyLandSparky]

why would anyone do this when a simple low-voltage control setup would enable you to control the output from as many points as necessary without pulling additional cable?

Picture it: Sicily (Brooklyn) 1932. You're a residential wireman on a 3-bedroom attached row house. You have exactly one day to completely wire 2 units of 3 floors with BX cable, and all you're given is 14/2.

There will be a grand total of 3 15 ampere circuits on a 30 ampere, 120 volt service. You'll get a 4th 15a circuit if you spring for that automatic coal feeding modern-type boiler.

-3 bedrooms and bathroom upstairs - 6 receptacles and 1 ceiling light in hall. Ceiling light in bath or 2 flouresecnts flanking the mirror with a PCB encrusted ballast, Another ceiling light at top of stairs, or a wall sconce on a 3-way to the bottom of the stairs. Ckt 1

-Front door light, front room (parlor) 2 receptacles, 1 ceiling, middle room (dining) 1 ceiling 1 receptacle, 2 wall sconces. Side door light, basement stair light, kitchen light, rear door light, and any basement lights. Ckt 2

-Kitchen 2 receptacles countertop, 1 receptacle for table, and 2 or 3 wall receptacles, and a receptacle in the basement in case you get one of those newfangled automatic washer machines. 1 dining receptacle at table height.

Back in this day, you tapped & threaded your own 6/32 holes in device boxes, or 8/32 if it's for a fixture. And the steel was thicker and harder. (If you believe the old-timers!) If the attic was walkable, the bedroom circuit fed that too.

Now you gotta ask - can you imagine the look on the "eats-nails-for-lunch... and liked it" foreman's face when the electrician suggests a multi-point low voltage switching system for the one 3-way pair in the house, instead of parallel 2wire cables?

Keep in mind, at the time the Dodgers were still in Brooklyn, and the Subway cost a nickel!

 

[LarryFine]

. . . the Subway cost a nickel!

So did a movie and a hotdog.