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Electrical Wiring

One circuit, multiple switches, one box

16 years ago

In an earler post (Two circuits, two switches, one box), I asked about tying together the neutrals (and grounds) in a box where there are two three-way switches on two different circuits. That got me to thinking. What if they were on same circuit? The situation I am thinking about would be where the power enters at box #1, the travelers run from box #1 to box #2, and then there are two separate fixtures at the ends. Since there are two separate fixtures, should the neutrals (and grounds) be tied together (as they usually would be for a combo device, like 12/3 running to a light/fan combo) or should they be left separated?

What about the neutrals (and grounds) in a box with multiple four-way switches?

Thanks again!

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Comments (4)

joed
16 years ago
If they aren't the fixtures won't work. Yes they need to be tied together.
normel
16 years ago
If I am following you, you have multiple 3 and 4 way switches in the same box and on the same circuit, correct? I would keep the neutrals for each switch leg separate because it keeps things better organized and will make troubleshooting easier. You do need to tie the grounds together though.
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spencer_electrician
16 years ago
If it's as normel describes, I believe you would have to keep the neutrals separate even if they are on the same circuit. If they are combined, current would flow all different ways via parallel conductors and all conductors of circuit would not be in the same romex cable. This has driven me nuts before before working with other various electricians because a lot of them always put all the whites in one wire nut, some could care less even if they are on different circuits.
tom_in_sc
Original Author
16 years ago
Yes, I think you are understanding me correctly. Most of the time, I have seen all the whites tied together. For example: with a light/fan combo on three-ways...the power supply (12/2) "enters" at the first box so all the neutrals have to be tied together. At the second box (I try to always do power-switch-switch-fixture to keep it simple), there is only one neutral to the fixture (12/3), so again they all have to be tied together. The question came from a situation where there were two sets of 3-way switches in the same boxes - one for a regular light and one for some can lights. I thought (and your answers seem to confirm) that the neutrals should be kept separated at the second box.

Similiarly, should they be separated where there are two 4-way switches in a box (power, switch3, switch4, switch3, fixture)?

Thanks!!

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