What do you think

[DarrellB]

Why do they call a 3way light switch a 3way? It doesn't operate 3 switches, it only operates 2. Shouldn't they call it a 2way?



I think I know why they call it a 3way, I think it's because there is 3 terminals on the switch. ( not including the ground ) I just want to know who the heck was the bright SOB that thought of calling it a 3way and not a 2way.



I was doing some wiring today for my sister and brotherinlaw and was just pondering this question while I worked. ( I think I'll take my radio tomorrow )



I'm still thinking about this one and it's almost 4:30 in the morning.





Darrell

 

[Gray Ghost]

Boy I hate those things. I have 3 sets in my house. I had to really constipate when I was wiring them. Two sets have multiple lights on them. Man that will make your brain hurt.

 

[lschultz]

I've got four three ways in my house. My brother-in-law did the wiring and he had to stop and think about wiring them up but he got it right the first time put a smile on his face.

 

[TPCDrafting]

I have a 4-way switch in my house. 3 switches control one set of 4 lights.

 

[JR2]

3 switches that control 4 lights, sounds like you where trying to build a welder and got lucky...



My Dad and I wired his new home ourselves two years ago... Dad was always referring to the giant welder he was making. The day he threw the switch to move the house to its own power nothing fried

 

[Un-Hemi]

I'll be 106 years old before I figure out how to wire 3-way circuits. By then, I won't care.

 

[emarsh]

I got one for you. (Do you know what an Oklahoma 3 way switch is?) No disrespect meant to anyone from Oklahoma, including my own mother! Answer forthcoming after a few guesses.

 

[JR2]

Is that two switchs that don't do anything and one that actually controls a light that is out of site of the switch??

 

[emarsh]

not even close!

 

[Peter Campbell]

Is that a pull cord fixture withe strings run to both places you want to contol it from? As in small eyelets in the cieling and trim with the string hanging next to the door???

 

[emarsh]

Yeah thats it, what they call a pull chain fixture, with 50 feet of string attached!

 

[TPCDrafting]

If anyone needs a wiring diagram of a 3-way, 4-way, switch with an outlet(s) and lights with the power service coming into any of the lights, switches, or the switches/lights in any particular order, send me a pm with a fax number. I have a set of wiring diagrams that are really easy to read. I got these in college when I took an electrical design class.

 

[Arcticat]

Three way switches are easy to wire, just hard to remember if you don't do them often. Interesting note - You can control a fixture or a group of fixtures with as many switches as you want using a four way switch in between two three ways. Basically an unlimited number of four ways can be insterted along the travelers going from three way to three way. I usually shy away from the cheesy DIY books at home depot, but the best introductory electrical book I have seen was Advanced Home Wiring by the Black and Decker Tool Company. Very good diagrams for the beginner, including three way switches with the fixture placed in front of, inbetween, or after the switches.