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Resource: safe electric wiring
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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. |
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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 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 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 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 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 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 Momentary contact Use to activate delay timer or sound bell. Buy: Center off Switch Resources: How to wire delay timer |
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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  |
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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 |
 Add 3-way switch  |
Single pole- No Neutral Box has two wires and ground  |
 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  |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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Buy Electronic parts Industrial supplies Tools and home improvement Home and garden Hayward pool Pentair pool Southwire electric |
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Buy
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 |
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Resource: Compare box timers DPDT timers Intermatic Control water heater w/ Z-wave |
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Resource: Intermatic control centers: and parts Digital control centers and parts Tork control centers and parts Subpanels All control centers and parts Enclosures |
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Resource: Programmable timers Countdown timers Off delay timers On delay timers Timer modules Din rail Twin & one-shot Woods Intermatic Tork |
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Recirculation systems |
 | Buy
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