On Sat, 28 Jul 2007 00:16:45 GMT, (Doug Miller)
wrote:

In article , Mark Lloyd wrote:

So, you'd like to assume there's only ONE way to wire 3-way switches?

There are at least two that are Code-compliant, and probably a great many that
are not.

Here's 3 (don't forget to use a fixed font to view this)

switch#1 switch#2
o|----------------o|
(H) | |
-------o| o|--------light---\
|
o-----------------o |
(N) |
-------------------------------------------/

That's one of the Code-compliant ones.


(H)
--------o|--------------------o
|
o|------light---------o|
(N) |
--------o---------------------o|

That one has at least two Code violations:
1) With the switches positioned as shown, the switch on the right is on the
neutral side of the lamp. Switches must always be on the hot side of the load
they control; current must flow from switch to switch to load to neutral,
never from switch to load to switch to neutral.
2) With the positions of the switches reversed, the lamp still illuminates,
but the polarity of the contacts in the lamp socket has been reversed. In one
of those configurations, the shell of the socket is hot and the tip is
neutral, also a Code violation.

I know. My giving this example had nothing to do with code, but the
fact that such a circuit actually exists. Such circuits may be present
in other people's wiring too, so saying that only one of the 6 wires
will be hot, may be incorrect.

Do you think it's important enough to fix?



(H)
--------o|---------------------o
|
o|---------------------o|
|
o----------------------o|
|
(N) |
---------------------------light

That's the other Code-compliant one.
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"Properly read, the Bible is the most potent
force for atheism ever conceived." -- Isaac Asimov