How do you wire a circuit for five recessed lights between two three-way switches so that the lights can be dimmed?

This answer may help. Just be sure to buy 3-way dimmer switches, and not regular dimmers.

Also, your lights will probably be physically between the switches, so you can see in the diagram that you'll need to run a pair of wires between the switches themselves.

Hope this gets you started,
WallyH

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Originally Posted by WallyHelps

This answer may help. Just be sure to buy 3-way dimmer switches, and not regular dimmers.

Also, your lights will probably be physically between the switches, so you can see in the diagram that you'll need to run a pair of wires between the switches themselves.

Hope this gets you started,
WallyH

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Thanks. The lights will be positioned between the switches. What I need is specific help on how to connect the various 14/3 and 14/2 wires from the first switch, through the five lights then to the second switch. The diagram provided has the lights beyond the switches rather than between them.

Bill

I knew I shouldn't try to answer a question when I'm in a hurry. :o

I found this really cool website with diagrams for many situations. Your particular arrangement is here. Just substitute 3-way dimmers for the 3-way switches.

I hope this helps.
WallyH

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Originally Posted by billracer

Thanks. The lights will be positioned between the switches. What I need is specific help on how to connect the various 14/3 and 14/2 wires from the first switch, through the five lights then to the second switch.

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Why do it this way?? This is the difficult way to do it.
Just run 3-wire from switch to switch, and 2-wire from switch to light and light to light.

It is a very common DIY mistake to try and wire it the way you suggest. You think you are saving wire but all you are doing is making it harder.
Even pro's don't typically wire 3-ways that way.

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Originally Posted by stanfortyman

Why do it this way??? This is the difficult way to do it.
Just run 3-wire from switch to switch, and 2-wire from switch to light and light to light.

It is a very common DIY mistake to try and wire it the way you suggest. You think you are saving wire but all you are doing is making it harder.
Even pro's don't typically wire 3-ways that way.

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This sounds easier but I am still uncertain as to how to connect the two switches together. How would the feed hot (black) and neutral (white) at the first switch be connected? How would the 14/3 wires be connected at the two switches? I assume the 14/2 black and white wires from the first switch would connect to the black and white of each light, correct?

I truly appreciate your assistance.

The diagram in the previous link is not legal. You must keep all conductors in the same cable or raceway. You cannot split them up into two cables.

This is the one you want:
http://www.electrical-online.com/Fall203.gif

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Originally Posted by stanfortyman

The diagram in the previous link is not legal. You must keep all conductors in the same cable or raceway. You cannot split them up into two cables.

This is the one you want:
http://www.electrical-online.com/Fall203.gif

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Thank you. The diagram is extremely helpful.

Only one switch can be a dimmer, one has to be a regular switch.

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Originally Posted by johnmprince

Only one switch can be a dimmer, one has to be a regular switch.

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Thanks. Does it make any difference which switch is the dimmer?

No.

Thank You

Quote:

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Originally Posted by johnmprince

Only one switch can be a dimmer, one has to be a regular switch.

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Oops... I should have caught this. Either switch can be the dimmer. The other must be a 3-way switch.

Double-oops... I didn't see there was a second page of replies. :o