How do you wire two 3-way switches before the light with only 14-2 if you are unable to pull another hot wire?

Answer 1

There are lots of ways to wire 3-ways. Since I can't see your setup I'll just give you the basics. Each switch has a common . Between the switches, you have to have the traveler wires. You can use your 14-2 for this. On the common screws, you have either a feed, or a switch leg . Now how you get those there is up to you. Your light has to have a neutral and should be from the same feed source not from another circuit. Another option is to install an "RF" based 3 way switching system when travelers are not available. All you need to do then is hook up the "master" switch like a normal single pole switch and the install the "accessory" switch at another location and just supply power to that switch and you have yourself an easy installed 3 way switch.

Answer 2

There is a way to wire a light fixture controlled with two 3-way switches using only 14-2 cable. Run a length of 14-2 cable from each 3-way switch to the light fixture and a third one between the switches to act as travelers. This is not an optimum method for wiring this arrangement, but it is possible in a pinch, if no 14-3 cable is available. This method leaves an unused conductor in each of the cables linking the light fixture to a switch, each of which must be tied to ground at both ends to indicate they are not carrying current. The conductors that are used must conform to the color convention for hot and neutral conductors, and any white conductors that are hot must be wrapped in red or black tape.

It's important to remember that the travelers and switches must always be situated between the hot electrode of the power source and the load (light fixture), to prevent any of the wires in the light fixture from being live when the switches are off (no current flowing in the circuit). Also, if metal boxes are used, the two cables must run through the same hole in any box they enter to avoid problems with eddy currents.

A variation of 3-way switch wiring employing 14-2 cable is one in which two widely separated light fixtures are controlled, such as at the top and bottom of a staircase. In this variation, the light fixtures must be connected in parallel, necessitating that an additional conductor be run between the fixtures. As a result, some parts of the circuit will contain four conductors, which can be provided using two lengths of 14-2 cable, while other parts will need only three conductors, depending on the relative locations of the light fixtures and switches

Answer 3

You have to use 3 insulated wires beween the two switches as is shown in the circuit diagrams shown in the Related Link shown below this answer:

How to wire 3-way and 4-way switches, including wiring diagrams

If you don't have any 14-3 then, to get 3 insulated wires, you can use two lengths of 14-2 cable and just leave one wire of one pair clipped short and not connected to anything.

If you connect extra lights in parallel with the first light you will be able to switch all the lights on and off together using the same pair of switches.

You will find more information that will help you if you look at the answer to the separate Related Questions which are all shown below this answer, especially:

How do you hook-up or wire up one light with two on-off switches?

You will get even more information if you also look at the answers to that question's own Related Questions.

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As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.

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-energized.

IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

Answer 4

This type of question usually means you aren't ready to do this yourself. Study some electrical material and the National Electrical Code and work this answer out for yourself. If I were to give you an answer, you might attempt to do something you shouldn't be doing, and that may cost someone a shock, a home fire, or their life.

Answer 5

Each of two 3-way switches has two fixed poles and a center pole switched to one or the other of the fixed poles. Tape each end of the 14-2 white wire with red tape. Now run the 14-2 wire between the two switched and connect the black to one fixed pole and the red between the other fixed poles. Now one switch is at the supply of power and the black wire is connected to the center pole and common is run to light. The other switch runs a black wire to its center pole and the other end to the light. All grounds are connected together. If you use 14-3 all switch to switch wiring and common are taken care of and you don't need an extra 14-2 common to light from supply.

Answer 6

If you cannot pull another hot wire, you can reconfigure the circuit to use one 3-way switch and one 4-way switch, allowing you to control the light from multiple locations. This will require rewiring and possibly replacing one of the switches. Be sure to turn off the power before making any modifications.

Answer 7

Please refer to the Related Links below to see the correct way to connect a three way lighting system.