Light switch has 2 hot wires
duo001
10 years ago
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mike_kaiser_gw
10 years agoduo001
10 years agoRelated Discussions
Neutral wire as hot return from 3-way switch?
Comments (7)I don't quite follow "these are the only two wires you need to deal with" - are you saying that you can do a 3-way with only 2 wires (replace single-pole with 3-way) in existing box? Or do you have to run a new traveler to the existing location ("Connect the new red and white to the traveller screws of the both switches.")? I have a single-pole by my front door where plans showed a 3-way. Jbox in basement where exterior garage lights are connected. I'd like to change that to a 3-way and add location near garage so when we go out at night (through the garage) we can turn the exterior lights on so they're on when we get home. If there is a way to wire a 3-way with only 2 wires at the switch it would save me from having to fish a traveler through the exterior (insulated) wall. I can get at the Jbox easily enough, and should have no problem fishing 14/3 through an interior wall on the first floor by the garage, or in the garage (pull existing 14/2 off the lights and add another Jbox in b/t the lights, existing Jbox, and new switch location in the garage?). Thanks. Can I see a diagram?...See More3 way switch wired to control 2 fans, light and fan
Comments (1)No code issues with that setup....See MoreTwo hot wires going to my switch and lighting fixture
Comments (4)If power is first fed to the ceiling box it sounds like they wirer a switch loop. This is one possible wiring scheme: 14/2 white and black run to the ceiling box, but black is not connected to the ceiling fixture. The 14/2 cable's black is connected to the 14/3 cable's black wire, running to the switch- providing a hot wire at the switch. The red and white in the 14/3 cable wires are connected to the fan and light, so they also run back to the switch. They should have been marked with black tape or marker to indicate they are switched hot wires. At the switch end the 14/3 black is spliced with wire nuts so that it provides power to both the fan and the light switches. Then the red and white wires are marked as black (switched power) and connected to each switch. In your case they may have had only a light, so they just looped the white wire in the box and left it unused. Bruce...See More2 way switch wired with 3 wires. Double power source?
Comments (16)I'm a total amateur but it does seem a bit unusual for SWITCHES to all have two sets of wires. Usually power goes to the device being switched, then down and back to the switch, so there is only one piece of Romex coming into the switch. I doubt disconnecting one will be a good idea, it's that way for some reason. You can verify whether it's actually two hot wires, or as randy said above, the second is actually carrying power to down the line. Shut off the breaker, disconnect one set of wires from the switch so they are not touching the other set (or anything else!), turn the power back on and check the voltage on the two sets of wires. I suspect you will find one set is hot and the other is not. In which case, don't mess with what isn't broken....See Morellaatt22
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