[Seven-Delta-FortyOne]

California won't adopt the 2011 NEC until 2014, so we're not doing this yet, but....

My local supply house doesn't even carry 14-4 NM. It's solely a special order item.




Hope that changes.

 

[woodchuck2]

Not needed by code. I could see someone using it to cut costs but to be honest IMO that costs is quite small as compared to running 14-2 line to every switch box anyway. In fact running a line to every box you really do not even need 14-3 for the 3 way circuit, 14-2 can still be used for the travelers. For guys roughing out a lot of home and trying to cut costs of materials and time then i see 14-4 as a benefit, but for me i will just continue running a line feed to every switch box anyway.

 

[griz]

California won't adopt the 2011 NEC until 2014, so we're not doing this yet, but....

My local supply house doesn't even carry 14-4 NM. It's solely a special order item.




Hope that changes.

Campton?

 

[Seven-Delta-FortyOne]

Campton?

And Platt. :thumbsup:

 

[Seven-Delta-FortyOne]

Not needed by code. I could see someone using it to cut costs but to be honest IMO that costs is quite small as compared to running 14-2 line to every switch box anyway. In fact running a line to every box you really do not even need 14-3 for the 3 way circuit, 14-2 can still be used for the travelers. For guys roughing out a lot of home and trying to cut costs of materials and time then i see 14-4 as a benefit, but for me i will just continue running a line feed to every switch box anyway.

Are you saying you run 2 14-2 cables to each box, one cable for the hot and neutral, and one cable for the travelers?

 

[jlsconstruction]

Excuse my ignorance seeing I'm no sparky, but why would you need 14/4 for a 3 way?

 

[Seven-Delta-FortyOne]

Excuse my ignorance seeing I'm no sparky, but why would you need 14/4 for a 3 way?

1 hot (ungrounded conductor), 2 travelers, and now, 1 neutral (grounded conductor), plus ground.

 

[jlsconstruction]

We just feed with 14-2 go to the second switch with 14-3 then to the light with 14-2.

 

[Robinson_Cnst]

1 hot (ungrounded conductor), 2 travelers, and now, 1 neutral (grounded conductor), plus ground.

Im confused, whats the second traveler for?

 

[tedanderson]

I could see where 14/4 wire would be very convenient in applications where each outlet in the same box needs be on a separate circuit.

 

[Anti-wingnut]

1 hot (ungrounded conductor), 2 travelers, and now, 1 neutral (grounded conductor), plus ground.

Not an electrician, but I have to say I think somebody is misinterpreting things here.

Explain why 14-3 would not be compliant?

 

[Seven-Delta-FortyOne]

If you wire it like JLS mentioned, outlet in last place, you wouldn't.

But it you wanted to wire it differently, say with the outlet first, then the switches, you would need a 4-conductor cable.

 

[Seven-Delta-FortyOne]

Sorry for the confusion I created in post 7. I forgot to mention that that would only be necessary in certain wiring situations. :thumbsup:

 

[TxElectrician]

Not an electrician, but I have to say I think somebody is misinterpreting things here.

Explain why 14-3 would not be compliant?

Dead end 3 way would be one reason

 

[woodchuck2]

Dead end 3 way would be one reason

Exactly, new code requires a neutral in every box thus the need for 14-4 or a second wire in place. My response was why the need for 14-4 if you can run multiple wires? I have always ran power to every switch box in new construction/remodels. The only time i have ever had the need to dead end a 3-way is in an older home fishing a new 3 way circuit but no way to get power from another location. 14-4 would now make that circuit code compliant by new code.