Lancer525
Well-Known Member
Standard Disclaimer: I am by no means an electrician, and I only know enough about it to know that if I flip the switch and the light doesn't come on to call an electrician!
Okay, I've seen the excellent "Sparky Channel" YouTube video, HERE on 3-way switches and circuits, so I have a good idea of how to wire the switches up. I've also watched the great video on LED flat lights from HomeRenoVisionDIY, HERE and I already have the lights to install. My questions aren't about installing or wiring, specifically, but more about technical details.
Currently, there is only a standard duplex plug in the wall of the hallway where I want to install the new LED flat lights. I know that wiring up a 3-way switch takes running a traveler between the two switches, and those wires are white, red, and gray. The video from Sparky Channel explains how to wire up these switches, so I think I have that part okay.
The first question I have is, do I have to use 12/3 wire? These are LED lights, and don't use as much electricity as incandescents, so could I not use 14/3 wire for this? I have absolutely no idea what the "code" says, because I can't make heads or tails of it. The online copy I read is the worst-written document I have ever seen. Maddeningly imprecise, vague, and utterly non-specific where I need it to be specific. I have to have something to tell me to use this specific wire, with this specific box to meet code, and the one I've seen does not do that. Or I don't understand the jargon they're using. So, could I use 14/3 wire, and what specific kind would I get? The local big-box has something called Solid Romex SIM-pull CUNM-B W/G 14/3 that according to the picture has the right colored wires inside the jacket. I'd think this would be the right one to get.
My second question involves the specific methodology of connections. I am going to be adding a wire to the switch off of the existing duplex plug. I do not know what the wires are inside that box, so I can't tell anyone what the existing conditions there are. I think that I can add wire to that existing plug, to go up to the first switch, right? Here's my specific question. I already have some 12/2 (black and white with ground) wire, so I'd need to know what wires to attach to the existing plug and where, to run up to the first new switch that will be installed above it. I already know I'll have to run the new traveler from the first existing switch to the second existing switch.
The third question is, I only am installing two lights. I don't know for sure what to do with the wire at the second light. Do the wires just end there, and not go any further?
When I get home from work I can draw a diagram showing where I'd like to put everything, but I have no idea what wires to connect to where to make it work.
Anyone feel up to trying to help me figure out that hot mess I've just tried to describe?
Okay, I've seen the excellent "Sparky Channel" YouTube video, HERE on 3-way switches and circuits, so I have a good idea of how to wire the switches up. I've also watched the great video on LED flat lights from HomeRenoVisionDIY, HERE and I already have the lights to install. My questions aren't about installing or wiring, specifically, but more about technical details.
Currently, there is only a standard duplex plug in the wall of the hallway where I want to install the new LED flat lights. I know that wiring up a 3-way switch takes running a traveler between the two switches, and those wires are white, red, and gray. The video from Sparky Channel explains how to wire up these switches, so I think I have that part okay.
The first question I have is, do I have to use 12/3 wire? These are LED lights, and don't use as much electricity as incandescents, so could I not use 14/3 wire for this? I have absolutely no idea what the "code" says, because I can't make heads or tails of it. The online copy I read is the worst-written document I have ever seen. Maddeningly imprecise, vague, and utterly non-specific where I need it to be specific. I have to have something to tell me to use this specific wire, with this specific box to meet code, and the one I've seen does not do that. Or I don't understand the jargon they're using. So, could I use 14/3 wire, and what specific kind would I get? The local big-box has something called Solid Romex SIM-pull CUNM-B W/G 14/3 that according to the picture has the right colored wires inside the jacket. I'd think this would be the right one to get.
My second question involves the specific methodology of connections. I am going to be adding a wire to the switch off of the existing duplex plug. I do not know what the wires are inside that box, so I can't tell anyone what the existing conditions there are. I think that I can add wire to that existing plug, to go up to the first switch, right? Here's my specific question. I already have some 12/2 (black and white with ground) wire, so I'd need to know what wires to attach to the existing plug and where, to run up to the first new switch that will be installed above it. I already know I'll have to run the new traveler from the first existing switch to the second existing switch.
The third question is, I only am installing two lights. I don't know for sure what to do with the wire at the second light. Do the wires just end there, and not go any further?
When I get home from work I can draw a diagram showing where I'd like to put everything, but I have no idea what wires to connect to where to make it work.
Anyone feel up to trying to help me figure out that hot mess I've just tried to describe?