wiring multiple lights on a 3 way switch

#WIRING MULTIPLE LIGHTS ON A 3 WAY SWITCH SERIES#

#WIRING MULTIPLE LIGHTS ON A 3 WAY SWITCH SERIES#

The second 3 way switch is the last switch in the series of switches, this 3 way switch sends the power to the light or lights. One 3 way switch receives the power for the system of switches. Any additional switch(s) is a 4 way switch. In a circuit where there are two or more switches that operate lights, there is always two 3 way switches. This still may not be possible, and definitely isn't a beginner task - you need to understand electrical fairly well, and map out everything involved with this circuit. If you're missing the hot/neutral, the only option you have is to run a totally new wire, or possibly (depending on how it's wired), you can convert the 3-way to a single switch, and then re-purpose the wires to supply constant hot and neutral to the new outside switch (effectively, one of your 3 way switches would get converted to control the outside light instead).

That said - keep in mind that not everyone follows code.) White is, by code, always neutral, and has to be marked if it's used for a switched circuit. (Also note, the black tape on the white wires indicates this. In this case, there is no neutral at the switches. On the switch on the right, you have a neutral, but you don't have constant hot - hot is switched, on either the red or black, depending on how the first switch is flipped.Īnother common way the switches are wired is the power goes to the fixture first. In the above diagram ,you can add another switch to the one on the left - you'd connect to the white and black wires coming from the 'power source' line. There are several ways to wire 3-way switches, but what you'd be concerned with is the type where power comes to the switch first: Compare to the diagrams below (or at the original source), or ask here again and we'll try and help you out (labelled pictures = very helpful). You'll need to turn off the power at the breaker panel and physically remove the switches (don't disconnect them, just pull them out), as well as the light fixture. It would be helpful if you can check what wires are in each location - what colors, and how many actual cables are coming in. You need a constant hot and a neutral wire. It entirely depends on how the existing switch is wired.

Wiring multiple lights on a 3 way switch