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View Full Version : Stairwell light need second switch


Rickyfstjohn
Nov 19, 2007, 09:06 PM
I have a stairwell going to the basement with only one switch controlling the light. I want to have switch at both top and bottom, but the wiring is behind the sheetrock. Is there a way to add a switch from the light side not the existing switched side?
Thanks
Ricky St. John

tkrussell
Nov 20, 2007, 05:19 AM
To do what you want, the single pole switch needs to be changed to a 3 way switch and add a 3 way switch at the bottom. This also means a new 3 wire cable be run between the two switches.

With some strategic drilling and fishing cable, a new 3 wire cable should be able to be installed to the existing switch.

If this is not possible or your not up to it, you can use X-10 devices. These are remote control devices that use existing wiring to transmit signals to receivers on existing wiring.

Review this to see if this is something you can tackle:
About X10 (http://www.smarthome.com/about_x10.html)