Carter system?

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JJWalecka

JJWalecka

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New England
I read this on Tom Henry website.

?The example below shows two buildings with a 3-way switch in each building controlling the light on one building which also has a duplex receptacle which is hot all the time. To correctly wire this circuit it would require four circuit conductors and an equipment grounding conductor. With the Carter system the duplex receptacle is hot all the time and the two 3-way switches will control the light. Only three wires are used instead of four. With the Carter system the duplex receptacle is hot all the time and the two 3-way switches will control the light. Only three wires are used instead of four."


Does anyone know who this Carter system was named after? Was this common practice years ago?


JJ
 
The 1923 NEC is when they put in language to disallow carter 3-ways.

The Carter system is named after John A Carter, a man who built and operated electric lighting plants in the midwest and advised electricians on how to wire homes to connected into his newly constructed electrical utility.
 
mdshunk said:
T
The Carter system is named after John A Carter, a man who built and operated electric lighting plants in the midwest and advised electricians on how to wire homes to connected into his newly constructed electrical utility.
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Where or how did you happen to learn this information ???
 
I've heard it called a California 3-way more than any other slang term.

Calif3wayanim.gif
 
Very cool.

I have a reference to a C.E. Carter from the mid 30's that was involved with NEC development, but nothing that directly linked him to the Carter 3-way.
 
SEO said:
Neat post 480sparky!
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I'll claim no rights to it, so use it as you wish...... Information is power.

I've also heard it called Farmer, Illinois, DIY, Handyman, Power-Beyond, 3-Wire Hot, et al 3-ways.
 
I had to really squint to see the OP's posted pic, but I do not recall ever seeing one done like that to another structure.

480sparky said:
I've heard it called a California 3-way more than any other slang term.
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Because it sounds, and rolls off the tongue better than the "where-ever the hell you're from 3-way" :cool:

In case you're wondering, when actually IN Calilifornia - most call it a "Hollywood" or "LA" 3-way.
 
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