On 12 Mar 2007 07:09:21 -0700, "trbo20" wrote:

On Mar 11, 5:58 pm, mm wrote:
On 11 Mar 2007 07:08:12 -0700, "trbo20" wrote:

Hi All

I am getting ready to update my largish family room and am considering
how to approach the lighting. I'd like to install flush mounted
fluorescents, halogen task lights, wall sconces and a switched outlet
in three separate lighting zones so that the room can be lit according
to its use.

In my switch box, I'd also like to have one master switch that turns
all three zones on or off regardless of the state of any of the other
zones. For example, if zones 1 and 2 are off and 3 is on, flipping
the master would turn on all 3. Flipping the master again would turn
off all three. Then flipping zone 3 once more would turn it back on.

You mean, turn only the one that was on when all this started, 4 lines
ago, right? Below, I do almost everything you want with just two
extra On/Off switches.

It's a 3-part 3-way if you will.

Can this be done? I'm having a hard time wrapping my puny non-
electrician brain around it. If this is done, what's it called so I
can search for the wiring diagram?

You could do this with x-10 or relays, but if all of the switches will
be in the same location, it would be far far easier to either forget
it, or two have two additioinal switches in addition to the three ones
for each zone.

Even if they are not all in the same location, one master switch
could be run in parallel and turn everything ON no matter the position
of the 3 zone switches, and the other could be run in series and turn
everything OFF no matter what the position of the zone switches.

You would have to decide which should have priority, the master ON
switch or the master OFF switch. If you planned carefully, you might
be able to wire it so that changing the priority later was not a lot
of work.

And if you wanted the master switch without priority to win on a
particular day, you might have to flip the other master switch also.
Not a lot of work, and those two switches could almost certainly be
put next to each other.

If this is acceptable and you need more details, post back.

Thank you, Mark and everyone else, for the in-depth exploration of my
project. I think after reviewing the responses, I'll probably just go
ahead and stick with three independent circuits; as diodes and relays
are really above my level of comfort. If I put all three switches in
one box, the person entering the room can just karate chop all three
at the same time.

Cheers!
-Tom

That'd work, although 3-way (SPDT) switches are TOGGLES. That is you
have to see the light to know what flipping the switch will do. Also,
using diodes simplifies control from multiple points (to add another
control point, you just need more low-voltage wiring, and you don't
have to rewire any existing switches).
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"How could you ask me to believe in God when there's
absolutely no evidence that I can see?" -- Jodie Foster