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How to add 3-way switch
Resource: safe electric wiring
Wall switches are generally rated 120-277 volt AC.
Look for volt and amp rating embossed on the electrical device. Do not exceed rating.
Using 20 Amp switch on a 15 Amp circuit is potentially dangerous. It is acceptable to use 15 Amp switch on a 20 Amp circuit.
For 240 volt applications, use double-pole switch.
For other voltages, such as 480-347-600 volt etc, and for 3-phase applications, use switch or timer to activate contactor.
30 amp switch
Cooper 30 Amp switch
Single-pole/ 2-pole on-off switches
Buy:
30 amp 2-pole switch
30 amp industrial grade
30 amp double-pole

Heavy duty double-pole switches to turn off both hot wires in 240 volt circuit.
Always rated 240 volt.
Buy:
30 amp motor switch
40 amp motor switch
30 amp DPDT
Double pole double throw 30 amp switch
DPDT switch can be used to toggle between 2 different voltages.
Buy:
30 amp DPDT switch

Resource:
Use this switch to toggle water heater between 120-240 volt
Ordinary 15-20 amp
single-pole switch
Ordinary 15-20 amp toggle switch.
Buy:
15 amp switch
20 amp switch
pilot light switch

Indicator light shows when Load is ON.
Buy:
Pilot light switch
Resource:
How to wire pilot light switch
GFCI Switch
Combination GFCI
Requires neutral wire. Add GFCI outlet to same box as switch.
Buy:
Leviton Combination GFCI
Combination GFCI  Amazon

Resources:
How to wire GFCI combo
Combination Switch
Combination switch outlet
Requires neutral wire. Add outlet to same box as switch.
Buy:
Combination switch outlet

Resources:
How to wire GFCI combo
3 & 4-way switch
4-way switch

4-way switch is used with two 3-way switches to add more switches to control one light.
Always rated 120-277 volt.
Buy:
4-way switch
Double & triple switch

Multiple switches in one box.

Buy:
Double switches
Triple switches
Center off Switch
Center off Switch
Momentary contact
Use to activate delay timer or sound bell.
Buy:
Center off Switch

Resources:
How to wire delay timer
Strip wire

This project uses 12-3 NM-B wire from local store.
To strip wire, carefully cut through plastic sheathing using utility knife
Do not cut into wires

Buy two 3-way switches
3-way switch has 3 screws, plus ground screw
One screw will be dark-colored
Dark screw is common screw

Buy:
3-way switches at Amazon
Buy
20 amp 3-way switch
Single pole switch no neutral
Add 3-way switch   
Single pole- No Neutral
Box has two wires and ground
add 3-way switch


single pole swith neutral in box


Add 3-way switch   
Buy two 3-way switches
New switch box with 3-way switch
Replace switch in old box with 3-way
Run 12-3 wire between switches
Single pole- Neutral in box
Box has white wires covered with wire nut
Add 3-way switch
ST01 3-way switch Add 3-way timer
Buy:
Intermatic ST01c timer/ 1 year warranty>
ST01a almond
Intermatic ST01K combination timer
Ei600 5-year warranty timer at Amazon
CR2 replacement battery at Amazon

Resources:
How to program and wire ST01 timer
Load ratings for Intermatic timers/ pdf
Intermatic ST01C & Ei600

Step-by-step installation of contactor
Figure volts-amps-watts for your water heater
House Typical house Might not have convenient switches.
How to add 3-way switch upstairs to control light downstairs.
Then switch upstairs and switch downstairs control same light
Applies to any 2-story frame-construction home > on interior walls without insulation inside wall
          Walls with insulation: it is difficult to drop wires and fish wires without removing wall surface.
Resources:
Read about remote control switch
How to wire switches
Project Overview

12-3 wire pulled up from single-pole light switch
Crown molding added to hide wire near top of wall
Remaining wire is inside wall, and not visible.

Box added to wall in Pink room
3-way switch installed in new box in pink room
3-way switch replaces single-pole switch downstairs
Box switches are 3-way switches

Wiring to existing light fixture not affected, and is not moved or changed.... and not shown in illustration
install 2 old work boxes
Larger image
Instructions:
Drill hole near top of wall
Once wire is dropped down inside wall, have helper rattle wire around.
Noise from wire will confirm location to cut hole.
Helper pulls wire up out of way so saw will not cut wire.

Cut 2-1/4" x 3-3/4" hole in sheetrock using knife or saw
Reach in and find electric wire inside wall
Pull electric wire through hole
Feed wire into box
Set box into hole
Turn screws so pop-up fin tightens against inside of sheetrock
Install switch.
Resource
How to drop wire inside wall

Buy
20 amp 3-way switch



Basic structure close up
Each 2x4 wall has bottom plate and top plate
Bottom plate is single 2x4 that is 1-1/2" thick, and top plate is double 2x4 that is 3" thick.

Joists sit on top of the top plate.
Joists support floor on upper level. Many areas, code requires 2x12 joist 16" apart.
Once the joist is in place, 3/4" plywood is laid to make the floor.
The bottom plate is nailed over the plywood. So the bottom plate cannot be seen from below because plywood goes down first.

Ceiling sheetrock is nailed to joists before the sheetrock is applied to walls.
2x4 walls are covered with sheetrock and pushed up tight against sheetrock on ceiling.
The sheetrock on walls holds up edges of sheetrock on ceiling.
Load bearing walls are stacked over top of each other, so wall below supports weight on walls above.

Electrical wiring is run inside the walls
How to add 3-way switch
Larger image
Drill up into 2nd floor wall
Drilling upward is better for controlling location of hole in yellow room ceiling
And drill bit will not fall out of drill chuck

Use 18" drill bit extension + new 3/4" spade bit
Buy 2-3 drill bits
New bit will make job easier.
Do NOT drill through the joist if possible... drill between joists so joist is not weakened.
Sometimes there is a joist directly in the way... so go ahead and drill.
You might hit nails .... drill bit gets dull immediately... move drill bit over and drill new hole.
If it gets hard to do, then drill from above so you can put more weight on drill.
Or change to smaller size drill bit.

Remove baseboard in pink room using knife to cut caulk line on top of baseboard.
Gently pry baseboard off wall. Do not damage sheetrock.
Cut back sheetrock in pink room... cut enough so you can drop wire, and still have baseboard cover the work
Buy
36" drill bits
Drill through ceiling
Larger image
2x8 nail block located in corner
Usually there is a 2x nailing block for sheetrock located in corner.
This is usually a 2x6 or 2x8 laid on side so sheetrock has a good support in corner.

If you drill farther down along edge of wall, the corner block is not there, and crown molding will still cover wire
House framing
Larger image
Typical framing
2x4 walls, 16" or 24" on center
Drywall on ceiling, 1/2" or 5/8" thick
HVAC register might be on ceiling
Top plate is two 2x4's

There are 2 types of joists
Long joists run from Load wall to Load wall
Shorter joists run along side walls
Short joists are for nailing drywall

Locate joists, and direction of joists before starting
Heat register If HVAC register is on ceiling, it can indicate direction of joists
If HVAC register is on floor, it can also indicate direction of joists
Ductwork travels between joists, unless there is a bulkhead installed for ducts.
Bulkheads are installed for ductwork because large holes cannot be cut through joists for running ductwork. Joists must be full size to carry load.
If there is a bulkhead, it begins and ends at a point that allows duct to go between joists.
Register is 15" wide and is nailed to both joists
Register will have duct work between same joists, so be careful when cutting into ceiling between those joists.
Local codes vary. Some codes require 2x12 joists 16" on center between floors.
Top plate is 3" thick.
Drywall on ceiling is 1/2" - 5/8" thick.
So hollow part of wall starts 2-1/2" down from top of wall.

Use 1" spade bit, or 1-1/4" bit. 
Set center of bit at 2-3/4" so it will catch part of top plate.
This will keep hole as high as possible.
If needed, make hole larger

Wash hands before starting so walls and ceilings are not marked with hand prints.

Illustration shows Joists sitting on load bearing wall.
If joists run other direction, the instructions are same.

Do not drill into joist. Drill into cavity next to joist.
Do not drill into heat duct


Install crown moulding
Keep nails away from wires
Crown moulding can be nailed into sheetrock.
best to hit a 2x4 when possible, but not necessary.
Angle nails slightly different directions to hold crown firm.
When making corner cuts, remember perfect is not necessary because filler can be added with putty knife.
Buy crown wide enough to cover wire and holes
Before cutting the crown, prime the wood, then sand, clean, and apply first coat of paint.
Sand lightly and apply 2nd coat paint.
This will make finish work easy.

Cut and nail the crown.
Spackle nail holes, caulk joins with wall and ceiling, caulk corners, then apply last coat of paint.
Crown moulding corners can be tricky.
Use putty knife to apply spackle to larger gaps at corner, if needed. Don't rush. Fill and let dry. Fill next gap and let dry. etc.

Make sure wall and ceiling touch up paint is available.
Wash hands before working on walls and ceiling to avoid handprints.
Electricity leaves power plant Resource: Electricity:
The grid is defined by three parts: transmission, distribution and end user. The following links show how it works
Power plant to end user power pole
Power pole to residential breaker box
Power pole to commercial breaker box

How to wire residential electric
How to wire commercial 3-phase

Why you need ground wire
How to wire 3-phase timer
3-phase water heater
Support the economy:
Buy water heaters from my associate links:

50 gallon Gas water heaters at Amazon
40 gallon gas water heaters at Amazon
50 gallon Electric water heaters at Amazon
40 gallon electric water heaters at Amazon
Hybrid / heat pump/ water heaters at Amazon

Resources:
How to install gas water heater
How to install electric water heater
Troubleshoot gas water heater
Troubleshoot electric water heater
Point of use water heaters
Resources:
Troubleshoot Gas valves with manuals
Icon gas valve

How to replace water heater element Waste King disposal
How to wire tankless electric


Install point of use water heater
Titan tankless

Contactors/ relays
Type 1 and type 2 surge protection surge protection
Programmable timers

Woods timers
surge protection
Anode rods anode rods
Recirculation system

Tankless recirculation
Point of use water heater
Install and troubleshoot garbage disposal Waste King disposal
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Electronic parts

Industrial supplies

Tools and home improvement

Home and garden

Hayward pool
Pentair pool

Southwire electric
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Tools
DEWALT
Black and Decker
Stanley
SKIL
Makita
Porter-Cable
Bosch

Irwin Hand tools
Klein hand tools
Fluke electrical testing
Dremel hobby tools

Campbell Hausfeld air powered
Tekton automotive

Powerbuilt automotive
Saws and saw blades
box timers Resource:
Compare box timers
DPDT timers
Intermatic
Control water heater w/ Z-wave
Intermatic control centers Resource:
Intermatic control centers: and parts
Digital control centers and parts
Tork control centers and parts
Subpanels
All control centers and parts
Enclosures
programmable timer Resource:
Programmable timers
Countdown timers
Off delay timers
On delay timers
Timer modules
Din rail
Twin & one-shot
Woods
Intermatic
Tork
Low voltage power packs Recirculation systems
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