Replace 3-way switches with timer
 

Hi,

I have a rental building with two separate entrances to the basement
laundry room. Each entrance has a light switch to turn on the light
in the basement. The problem is the tenants never turn off the
lights. I would like to replace these two switches with a timer
switches that would shut itself off after some fix amount of time.

All the timer switches I have seen are for single pole and for a few
that support 3-way wiring but It was not clear to me that I can use
two timer switches on a circuit. If there is such a product, please
let me know the brand and model number.

Thanks,

CT

Replace 3-way switches with timer
 

Chris wrote:

All the timer switches I have seen are for single pole and for a few
that support 3-way wiring but It was not clear to me that I can use
two timer switches on a circuit. If there is such a product, please
let me know the brand and model number.


Yes, use two timer switches on the same Hot circuit from a
single breaker. That way either switch, or both switches, can
be on and 'ticking'. You must make sure that the same hot
(black) and neutral (white) supplies both switches. The output
of both switches connect to the light fixture 'hot' side.

Replace 3-way switches with timer
 

On Nov 5, 1:26 pm, "lee h" wrote:
Chris wrote:

All the timer switches I have seen are for single pole and for a few
that support 3-way wiring but It was not clear to me that I can use
two timer switches on a circuit. If there is such a product, please
let me know the brand and model number.

Yes, use two timer switches on the same Hot circuit from a
single breaker. That way either switch, or both switches, can
be on and 'ticking'. You must make sure that the same hot
(black) and neutral (white) supplies both switches. The output
of both switches connect to the light fixture 'hot' side.

Or a motion sensor

Replace 3-way switches with timer
 

ransley wrote:

On Nov 5, 1:26 pm, "lee h" wrote:

Chris wrote:


All the timer switches I have seen are for single pole and for a few
that support 3-way wiring but It was not clear to me that I can use
two timer switches on a circuit. If there is such a product, please
let me know the brand and model number.

Yes, use two timer switches on the same Hot circuit from a
single breaker. That way either switch, or both switches, can
be on and 'ticking'. You must make sure that the same hot
(black) and neutral (white) supplies both switches. The output
of both switches connect to the light fixture 'hot' side.


Or a motion sensor


That will work as described, but if timer A is ON it won't let a
conciencious tenant turn the lights OFF from the timer B locatiuon,
would it?

That's probably better than leaving the light on "forever", so if you
can live with that minor inconsistancy, do so.

I agree that a motion detector is the better way to go.

If the laundry room is small enough you can probably get by with just
one near the center of the ceiling.

You could then remove the existing swiches, splice the switch wiring
appropriately, put blank covers where the switches were, and Bob's yer
uncle.

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
The speed of light is 1.8*10^12 furlongs per fortnight.

Replace 3-way switches with timer
 

Chris wrote:
Hi,

I have a rental building with two separate entrances to the basement
laundry room. Each entrance has a light switch to turn on the light
in the basement. The problem is the tenants never turn off the
lights. I would like to replace these two switches with a timer
switches that would shut itself off after some fix amount of time.

All the timer switches I have seen are for single pole and for a few
that support 3-way wiring but It was not clear to me that I can use
two timer switches on a circuit. If there is such a product, please
let me know the brand and model number.

Thanks,

CT

Can you install a motion switch that will "see" the doorways?

Replace 3-way switches with timer
 

In addition to the timer switch or motion detector, I'd strongly
recommend a couple of low wattage CFL bulbs to avoid tenants
suddendly being dropped in darkness. With two twenty watt
CFLs on continually, you're looking about a dime per day
for electricity. Far cheaper than a lawsuit resulting from
personal injury? Perhaps with this 'background' light, you'd
need only a single timer?

A former employer installed a motion detector switch for the
employee restrooms. The restrooms were in an interior
hallway with no light from outside. It was disconcerting to
be sitting in a stall on the 'throne' and have a normally bright
room plunge into darkness. And waving a hand around inside
the stall wouldn't trigger the motion switch. Had to open the
stall door and close it to restore the light.