Switching Lighting

McElectric

I am wiring a bedroom that has 6 recessed cans. They are switched with two 3-ways. The home owner wants to be able to switch one on or off seperately. But he wants the 3-ways to still switch all 6. Is there a simple way to do this? I can't think of anything other than a relay???

CGofMP

Tell him you are gonna have to install a small switch pannel like this one:


IBM Tss 360

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Speedy Petey

What you(they) propose is contradictory. One switch will inherently override the other.
If you do all on the 3-ways, and an extra single pole for the one light the three ways will turn them all off. He will not be able to turn the single light on and off at will.
The opposite holds true if you reverse that.

I would just suggest two sets of 3-ways. One set for 5 lights, and the other set for the single.
It is a simple solution to a wierd request.

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CE1

How about this:

Attachment 1952


The one light will be able to turn on-off by itself but the other 5 lights will turn on-off by the 3-way switches. The only problem would be that the one light would have to be on in order for the other 5 lights to turned on.

Note: This circuit probbly would drive an electrican that came after you in a few years CRAZY!

But as Speedy Petey suggested the two 3-way circuits might be better.
Your choice.

krthomp33

AH, yes, one of those things that makes you scratch your head and wonder, "WTF was the other guy doing?"

CE1

It would work though.

jbfan

It would not work. With the single pole open. the 3 ways would not have any power. I don't think it can be done without some relays.

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CE1

You are right it would not work for the poster!
I misread the post.

mas2006

Blonde says, "Doctor every part of my body I touch hurts."
Doctor says, "Your a natural blonde right? Your finger is sprained."
Sell them a home automation system, then the only limit to stupidity is their wallet.

RowdyRed94

Seems like you should be able to pull a 3- or 4-way switch off of one of the original three ways and use it to switch the single in such a way that flipping one of the original 3-ways only turns the single light on or off to match the others. Come on, guys. Someone here has a bigger brain than me and can work this out.

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CE1

Yes there are other ways to do what the original poster wanted to do but in a practical way, no

But as Speedy Petey suggested the two 3-way circuits might be better.

Here is a little philosophy to think about and it does apply to the original post.

Occam's Razor

"When you have two competing theories which make exactly the same predictions, the one that is simpler is the better."

"If you have two theories which both explain the observed facts then you should use the simplest until more evidence comes along"

"The simplest explanation for some phenomenon is more likely to be accurate than more complicated explanations."

"If you have two equally likely solutions to a problem, pick the simplest."

"The explanation requiring the fewest assumptions is most likely to be correct."

. . .or in the only form that takes its own advice. . .
"Keep things simple!"

Leo G

How about this? Add or remove as many switched circuits as you want, this one will let you switch five lights and then turn them all on and off with the three way.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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