I dont want to rip up the drywall though to put a 3 wire cable in. In order to design a smart switch to retrofit the existing 2 wire installation its either method 1.
Making A 3 Way Light Switch To Single Pole Switch For Smart
3 wire switch to 2 wire switch. An example of a 3 wire lighting circuit is shown in figure 2. At best replacing a 3 way switch with a 2 way switch that requires a neutral will result in a setup that doesnt work correctly. Three wire supply cables generally carry red and black hot wires of 110 to 120 volts each with a single white neutral wire. This story features diagrams that show how to wire 3 way switches. Putting a rechargeable battery inside the switch to supply the power to the mcu or method 2. Is there any way to use a single pole2 wire switch in a 3 way setup.
Once youre done youll be able to control a light from two switches. Wiring a 3 way light switch is certainly more. A three way wall switch is single pole double throw spdt with three connection wires and is typically wired with 123 or 143 cable between the two switches. Because the electrical code as of the 2011 nec update requires a neutral wire in most new switch boxes a 3 wire cable runs between the light and switch. One example of a 3 wire lighting system. The common on the first dimmer connects to the hot source wire and the common on the second connects to the wire running to the hot terminal on the light.
Two way switches are single pole single throw spst with two connection wires and are wired with 122 or 142 cable between the switch and fixture. Thinking out of the box to make mcu work with the 2 wire wiring system. Three cable wire runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs from the second dimmer to the light. This is an updated version of the first arrangement. The source neutral is run through to the light fixture with a splice in each switch box. Connecting a two wire light fixture to a three wire power supply cable is not an ordinary occurrence.
I have access to the lights wiring and can add the switch easily there. The 3 wire system is less common than the 2 wire system it includes a neutral at the switch as well as the live and switched live wires. Ive got a light downstairs with the switch upstairs. The wiring is more complicated than a traditional single pole switch but well explain how to make the connections. The red and black are used for hot and the white neutral wire at the switch box allows for powering a timer remote control or other programmable switch. I have a 3 wire black white ground power connecting to a switch coming into the box a 4 wire black white red a ground coming from the bathroom ceiling fan into the box i would like to add a 3rd switch for my light above the medicine cabinet how do i connect the power source to the 3rd switch.
At worst youll create a short circuit that could damage devices on that circuit electrocute yourself or start a fire. I want to add a switch downstairs.
Gallery of 3 Wire Switch To 2 Wire Switch
