I'm trying to connect two separate circuits from a single power source using 3way switches. My trouble seems that my wire from my light and my power source are in the same box. Is there a way to do this? I have wired it multiple ways and I keep getting the first switch almost Ike a master that needs to be on for the second circuit to work.
1 Answer
Yes,
You need 14-3 or 12-3 going to each switch from the light/power:
Call the switches L(eft) and R(ight):
Connections@Light:
- LineInPwr(white) -> Lamp(white)
- LineInPwr(black) -> L(white tagged black)
- LineInPwr(gnd) -> tied in common Both L(gnd) and R(gnd)
- L(black) -> R(black) [traveler]
- L(red) -> R(red) [traveler]
- R(white tagged black) -> Lamp(black)
Connections at L switch:
- L(White tagged black) -> L SW (common)
- L(Black) -> L SW (brass) [traveler]
- L(Red) -> L SW (brass) [traveler]
- L(gnd) -> L SW (gnd)
Connections at R switch:
- R(White tagged black) -> R SW (common)
- R(Black) -> R SW (brass) [traveler]
- R(Red) -> R SW (brass) [traveler]
- R(gnd) -> R SW (gnd)
Our own BMitch provided an answer and diagrams here (originally found here). We differ slightly in wire assignments (mine's better ;-)(why? both switches have the same wire assignments, the magic happens at the light)), but its basically the same.