3 way switchs for 2 lights in the garage.. can I let the ground wire run through the systen as the common.. and black tape up the ends ? And the blk and what as the travlers... tks richars.. I'll be using 12-2 cause I have 12-2...
I have about a 30 foot run from switch to switch...
Follow up... or can I use the ground as a travler.. black taped.. leaveing it in the main jacket ? Tks...

Good Lord... you're kidding?
It's not just bad practice, it's also against the electrical code and a potential
Landmine for the next guy...

Electricity is not something to be creative with. Learn the rules and do it right!

Now that's a different approach. So when you open the box, the bare wire will always be hot. And anything it touches will be hot. Please rethink your solution.

No!

If your area is using the 2008 or lower edition of the NEC, you will need #14/3 w/ground for three way switches.

If your area has adopted the 2011 of the NEC, you will need #14/4 with ground. The 2011 edition requires that you have a grounded conductor (Neutral) at the switch outlet, in case you might want to use a specialty switch.

Black, would go to the common post. Red and Blue (re-tasked as Red) would be the travelers. White (capped off) would be the required Neutral.

No!

If your area is using the 2008 or lower edition of the NEC, you will need #14/3 w/ground for three way switches.

If your area has adopted the 2011 of the NEC, you will need #14/4 with ground. The 2011 edition requires that you have a grounded conductor (Neutral) at the switch outlet, in case you might want to use a specialty switch.

Black, would go to the common post. Red and Blue (re-tasked as Red) would be the travelers. White (capped off) would be the required Neutral.

Don't know what my code is... however... I'll get some 14-2 and run two lengths of it so I have 2 whs n 2 blks and can one off... tks... richard

Be aware, you are still doing this wrong...

Rich,

Do not use 14/2! At a minimum use 14/3. Using 14/2 will cause wiring problems.

The price for 14/3 is pretty close to 14/2. However, personally, I would use 14/4.

The trade off in ease of installation is worth the few dollars difference over 14/2.

be aware, you are still doing this wrong....

OK... I c a 250 ft roll of 14-3 on crigs list for 45.00

I don't know in your area, but Home depot near me will sell any size wire any length. They cut it off a large roll.

Chuck

Don,

See Article 404.2 Switch Connections

A. Three-way and Four-way Switch

Exception.