On Oct 13, 1:10*pm, "Percival P. Cassidy" wrote:
http://www.homeimprovementweb.com/in...ree-way-switch...
shows 8 (eight!!) different ways of wiring 3-way switches.
I am trying to figure out how the switches for our patio lights (two
separate fixtures controlled by the same two switches) were wired. Each
switch has two black wires and one red wire -- no white with black tape
at either switch. There are neutrals (several, wire-nutted together) in
each box, but they are not connected to anything else in the box. The
only configurations shown at the above Web site with no black-taped
white wires are Option 1 "Fixture Controlled by Two Switches: Power
Through a Switch Box" and Option 5 "End-of-Run Lights Controlled by Two
Three-Way Switches"; but I can't see what the difference is between
those two configurations anyway.
Any other possibility for 3-way switch wiring without black-taped white?
Perce
White taped Black or no tape. I change the color on wires with tie-
wraps
Didnt realize you were trying to wire switches with pilot lights. Same
as a 3 way switch but they will not work unless you have bulb in the
socket. Dont know what effect CFCs have on them. This is why I said
look at it schematicaly. All you need to make it work is a couple of
neon bulbs across the travelers. As long as the switches are in an
off combination there will be current flow for the neon bulbs through
the load. Since this current is only a few milliamps it will light the
Neons and not the main lights. Dont expect the colors shown in the
diagram to be used. Hopefully the wires coming from the service panel
will have the right colors. I dont know much about the inner workings
of CFC's but it is conceivable that only one Neon may light at a time.
The off voltage of a incandescent lamp is less than 100 ohms which is
a short circuit for a Neon bulb. If the CF Cs have high enough off
resistance only one neon may light at a time, the one that fires
first.. Neon are also photosensitive lamps, in the light they come on
easier than lamps in the dark.
Jimmie
Jimmie