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View Full Version : Trying to add another switch


enz
Jan 16, 2009, 09:09 AM
I'm trying to add another switch to control the lights from both ends. I have a light switch by the door before we walk down stairs that turns it on and off. I want to put another switch at bottom of steps so we can turn it off from there to. I have all the right wires to do but my only problem is that when I uncovered the switch plate at the top of my steps, there are only a black and white wire coming out. I somehow managed to hook up the wires where both switches work on there own as a test run with both switches by me and not installed in wall yet, they worked but the lights were very dim. Can anyone help.. n tell me how to put at bottom of steps. I've had people tell me how to do it by rewiring it all but I can not get to everything without ripping the sheetrock apart to figure out where the ires go. All I have use to is the black and white wire coming from the switch on top of steps that's there already and the light at bottom of steps

KISS
Jan 16, 2009, 11:27 AM
You need something like 14/3 running to the switches. Look for diagrams for 3-way switch wiring.

If you don't want to run wires then there might be a solution from Insteon where you would provide power to the switch and use RF or power line signals to control the light. See Smarthome - Home Automation, X10, Remote Control, Lighting, Wireless Security (http://www.smarthome.com)

There may be some "energy harvesting" products on the market. I don't have a link handy. These products would use the mechanical action of you flipping the switch to power a low power RF transmitter that turns on the light.