Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - 4 fluorescent lights in a 3 way switch

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ryosek
02-27-06, 04:59 PM
I am wanting to install 4 fluorescent lights in my garage with a 3-way switch at the garage door, and another 3 way switch by the door going into the house. These 2 doors are on opposite ends of the garage. I was wondering if someone had a diagram for this wiring set up? I have looked online and found many 3-way diagrams, but I was wanting to know what the procedure would be for 4 lights. The garage has 2 garage doors openers that are only used as lights (the garage door tracks are messed up) , so I could just pull the power from them. I hope I have provided all the info you guys need. If you need anything else let me know. Thanks a lot, in advance, for any help anyone can give me.


pcboss
02-27-06, 05:27 PM
The easiest method to wire this is to bring the power to the first 3 way switch. From there take a 3 wire cable, Blk, red, white, and ground, to the 2nd 3 way. From the 2nd 3 way run 2 wire, blk, wht and ground to the first fixture. Run 2 wire from fixture to fixture.

You should be able to find this very common wiring scheme on a book or on-line.

John Nelson
02-27-06, 10:06 PM
The most common mistake is when people find a diagram for:

Power -> SW1 -> Light -> SW2

and try to extrapolate that diagram to multiple lights by using:

Power -> SW1 -> Light1 -> Light2 -> SW2

which does not work.

As pcboss said, the following is most idiot-proof:

Power -> SW1 -> SW2 -> Light1 -> Light2 -> ...