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When you have two switches that control the same light(s) there are only 4 possible states.

Up Up

Up Down

Down Up

Down Down

If the starting position is Down/Down and th light if OFF then

Up/Down or Down/Up states will turn ON the light.

If the starting position is Up/Down or Down/Up and the light is ON then

Up/Up or Down/Down will turn lights OFF.

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Q: Should the light in a newly wired house be off when both 3-way switches are in the down position?
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Where can you purchase light switches online?

Light switches can be purchased from SparkyDirect, they have a huge range of light switches other websites offering light switches are HomeBase, argos and ebay.


Can you connect one single light switch to another single light switch to control the same light on or off.?

Yes you can. There are three ways of doing this. Two are incorrect and one is the correct way of doing it.The two switches can be paralleled together to make the light fixture respond. Both of the two switches will always have to be in the on position. Either switch will turn the light off but the second switch will not turn the light on. Very inconvenient when you enter a room through one door and leave by another.The two switches can be wired in series. Both switches have to be on to operate the light but again if one of either switch is left in the off position the other switch will not operate the light fixture. Very inconvenient when you enter a room through one door and leave by another.The correct way of wiring two switches to control a central light fixture is with a three way switching system (two way in the UK). The two positions have to have special three way switches in each position. These types of switches sort out the problems of leaving a switch in a certain position to operate properly. The only criteria is that there be a three conductor cable joining the two three way switch boxes together.See related links below.


Is it possible to control a light switch with remote control?

Yes. the two switches are called '3-way' switches. You will have to turn the fan/light on with one of the switches and leave BOTH switches in that position. The remote control unit will have to be wired in between the switch that is supplying power to the devices and the devices. This is the simplest way. You could also disable one of the switches and replace the remaining switch with the RC unit. If you are not sure how to deal with 3-way switches, learn about them first, or call a good electrician to do all of the work. Remeber that the black wire is hot, but only if the house was wired properly in the first place.


How many 4 way switches could you put on a single light fixture?

If you are talking about intermediate switches, the switches that are in the middle of the three way (UK two way) circuit, then you can add as many as your project needs. These type of switches must be in the middle, as if installed on the end, the different position switching will not operate.


What will happen if the two switches connected to light up a single bulb are on?

It is dependant on whether the switches are in wired in a parallel or series configuration. If the switches are wires in parallel then both switches would have to be off to turn the light bulb off. Either switch could turn the light bulb on. If the switches are wired in series then both switches would have to be on to turn the light bulb on. Either switch could turn the light bulb off.

Related questions

How do you test controls switches on gas furnace?

by turning the control switches to the on position and attempting to light the furnace.


If you have a light in your kitchen operated by two different switches is it right that you should still get a power reading when the switches are off?

Yes, because the light is using 3-way switches. There is always "power" travelling between the switches.


How do you get all of the light switches to be in the down position for off when you have more than one switch for them?

Three way switches do not have a up-on down-off position. With the lights off, reposition the switches so that the handles are all down. This is the start position and depending on how you enter the room and turn on the lights certain switches will be left up when you leave the room. That is just the design of the switches and for the asthetics of the look, all handles down the lights will be out.


How do you make a 2 way switch which breaks the circuit only when both the switches are turned off?

Send power to the 1st switch and then send the power from that switch when it is in the on position to the second switch. Then send power to the light from the second switch. That way both switches will have to be in the on position for the light to be on.


Where can you purchase light switches online?

Light switches can be purchased from SparkyDirect, they have a huge range of light switches other websites offering light switches are HomeBase, argos and ebay.


Why don't 3-way and 4-way switches have on and off?

There is no designations because depending on the positions of the other switches in the circuit, the light could be on or off in either the up or down position.


Which us president was afraid of light switches?

Benjamin Harrison was the President when the White House first got electricity.Reportedly, he and his wife were afraid they would get a shock if they touched the light switches. A servant had to turn off the lights at night.


Can you connect one single light switch to another single light switch to control the same light on or off.?

Yes you can. There are three ways of doing this. Two are incorrect and one is the correct way of doing it.The two switches can be paralleled together to make the light fixture respond. Both of the two switches will always have to be in the on position. Either switch will turn the light off but the second switch will not turn the light on. Very inconvenient when you enter a room through one door and leave by another.The two switches can be wired in series. Both switches have to be on to operate the light but again if one of either switch is left in the off position the other switch will not operate the light fixture. Very inconvenient when you enter a room through one door and leave by another.The correct way of wiring two switches to control a central light fixture is with a three way switching system (two way in the UK). The two positions have to have special three way switches in each position. These types of switches sort out the problems of leaving a switch in a certain position to operate properly. The only criteria is that there be a three conductor cable joining the two three way switch boxes together.See related links below.


83 El Camino inside light stays on?

I would suspect one of the door switches is at fault but also be sure the interior light switch is in the off position.


I would like a light to turn on if EITHER of two switches are in the on position. Is it acceptable to install light switches in parallel?

What you are talking about is a three way switching system. There are many diagrams for this type of connections on the net. If you install two light switches in parallel both switches would have to be in the off position for the light to go out. Check out the design of a three way switch this is what you need.Before you do any work yourself,on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energizedIF YOU ARE NOT REALLY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS


Is it possible to control a light switch with remote control?

Yes. the two switches are called '3-way' switches. You will have to turn the fan/light on with one of the switches and leave BOTH switches in that position. The remote control unit will have to be wired in between the switch that is supplying power to the devices and the devices. This is the simplest way. You could also disable one of the switches and replace the remaining switch with the RC unit. If you are not sure how to deal with 3-way switches, learn about them first, or call a good electrician to do all of the work. Remeber that the black wire is hot, but only if the house was wired properly in the first place.


What is the meaning of single pole sw?

The "sw" is electrical terminology for the word "switch". A single pole switch is one that opens the circuit when in the off position and closes the circuit when in the on position. Individual switches that turn on light fixtures in your home are in the classification of single pole switches.