Hi,

I have a 220 volt 2 wire halogen exterior light I've hung. I want to use 2 3-way switches to turn it on/off from the 1st and 2nd floor. Can anyone tell me how to wire it?

Thanks, Lorrie

What country are you located in? If in the USA, NEC prohibits residential light fixtures to be more than 120 volts.

See Section 210.6 (A) of the NFPA 70: National Electrical Code®

Found in the Read First sticky note on the main page of the electrical forum. There you will find instructions to get to the NEC.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lorace

Hi,

I have a 220 volt 2 wire halogen exterior light I've hung. I want to use 2 3-way switches to turn it on/off from the 1st and 2nd floor. Can anyone tell me how to wire it?

Thanks, Lorrie

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I'm in the USA and it's for my shop.

Lorace,

If you are asking this question, then I don't believe you should play with this wiring job. First because you would be in violation of the NEC code and 2nd because 220VAC can kill, quickly and it is very,very unforgiving.

Second, You need to consider what you want the light to do for you and where are the switches to be.

Third, there are plenty of 110 out door lamps that should meet your needs, but I would still have an electrican (licensed) do the work. You are talking about running wire either in conduit or without through a trench to the shop. Then you want two switches inside the house to control the light. That's a lot of wire, switches and time in the wall to trust to a beginner electrician let alone a DIY homeowner.

Be smart and safe, call for at least a journeyman or master electrician. Your family would rather have you than a pile of ashes.

When you say "shop" ,is this part of your home, or a commercial business?

If this not related to a residential building at all, then a 220 volt light can be used. Check your system voltage, most likely you have either 240 volts or 208 volts. The 200 volt light will work on either, the life of the lamp will be greatly affected by the 240 volts, the lamp will burnout quickly, the 208 volt will not get the lamp to full brilliancy.

Using a 3 way switch on 240 volts only work if you use the 3 way switches to control a relay, which then will switch both legs of the light.