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dcgee · Mar 2, 2008, 01:58 PM

I'm finishing my basement and after looking at dozens of 3 way switch diagrams online, I'm still confused. I've already run the wires and here's how I did it. I've got 6 recessed lights on 14/2 that come back to switch box 1. The power from the panel comes into switch box 1 as well. I then have 14/3 that runs over from switch box 1 to switch box 2.

All the diagrams I've found online don't have the wires that control the lights and the power from the panel in the same box.

Can I get this to work without repulling all of my wires? If yes how?

Thanks very much in advance!

George

biggsie · Mar 2, 2008, 02:05 PM

You need 12-3 wire to the light from switch box 2 -- This seems like a very simple diagram

3 Way Switch Wiring Options

There should be a wirenut under each switch -- power coming in 12-3 --

Travelers red & black* common 14-3 -- power to light 12-3

Black wire from power ties to black screw on switch -- black wire from light ties to black screw on switch

It does not matter which red or black ties to the silver screws on both switches

The bare copper ties to the green screw and electrical boxes

Stratmando · Mar 2, 2008, 05:08 PM

On your 14-3 red and black(travellers, you are using) will go to both 3 ways( the 2 same colored screws), Then where you have a constant hot have that go to the dark screw of switch 1.
One wire is left, the White have that connect to the common screw of switch 2. go back to switch 1 and identify the white of the 14-3 with black tape at this end also, and connect to the black that goes to the lights.

hkstroud · Mar 2, 2008, 05:36 PM

Connect the all the grounds, including the ground pig tail for rthe switch togeather.
Connect the neutrel (white) from the panel to the white wire going to the lights.
Connect the hot (black) from the panel to the common screw of switch #1.
Connect the red and black of the 3-wire cable going to switch #2 to the other two screws of switch #1.
Put a piece of black tape around the white wire of the 3-wire cable to mark it hot and connect to the black wire going to the lights.

At switch #2
Connect the ground wire to the groiund screw..
Put a piece of black tape around the white wire and connect to the common screw.
Connect the black and red wires to the other two screws.

Turn on power and check that every thing works.

When doing 3-way switches , I like for "on" to be when both switches are in the same position, that is both up or both down.

Put switches in boxes.

Stratmando · Mar 2, 2008, 05:44 PM

dcgee, I think Hk's is same as what I said, However I like when both or all(3 + 4 ways) are down, lights is off, This way when you have Very Large Homes with 3 and 4 ways, when you go around and turn all switches off, all lights go off. It bites when you have 4 ways and turn all off now another light turns back on, all down for off eleminates this problem.
Connect all grounds.